DIY Micarta

[alamogunr]

I've got quite a bit of Micarta that I got as scrap when I was working. It is all the electrical insulating material that was used on very high voltage equipment. What I have is kraft/phenolic brown. I've used it for various applications but never for stocks/handles. My skills don't lend to that type of work. The stuff I have doesn't look very good anyway. It sure does stink when run across the table saw or when drilled. Whenever I do any of that, I have to put my clothes in the wash.

As Winelover said, it is somewhat rare today, especially in the decorative types. Westinghouse was the original manufacturer, my employer when I first learned about the stuff. I continued to work for the successor company after Westinghouse went under. I retired almost 15 years ago and I don't know what is used as electrical insulation in the large transformers now. Maybe someone still makes the insulating stuff. Have no idea about the decorative Micarta either.

[Green Frog]

I read the title on this and thought maybe the OP was going to give instructions on how one could make steps to make Micarta oneself. I remember seeing some 30-40 years ago that people were making themselves using a variety of types of cloth and paper. Some of them were very attractive and seemed pretty durable as well.

Can anybody post a reference to D-I-Y making of Micarta? I’m thinking an ivory colored silk based Micarta would be neat to work with.

Froggie

[rickiesrevenge]

There are video's on youtube showing how to make it. Doesn't seem that hard to do really. I was just wondering if anyone here has done it.