I have a job that requires some mother of pearl sheet (flat). I need
some that is 1.5mm thick and 15mm wide and approx. 6" long.
All I’ve been able to find online are huge sheets that are $300+. Any
help appreciated.
Paf Dvorak
I have checkrd my stock of complete MOP shells and none have any
useable nacre over 5 in long.
Also the shells are concave on the inside so your unlikely to get a
straight piece over 3in long.
where can you get the huge sheets? dimensions would be useful.
Unless its reconstituted shell. wouldnt surprise me.
Have you quoted for a project? without checking the availability of
materials? Does help you know.
You might try getting in touch with knifemaking suppliers. They
carry pearl slabs for handles. While the slabs are generally not as
long as you require they might be willing to cut some to size, and it
should be less expensive than buying a full sheet.
Elliot
Have you quoted for a project? without checking the availability of materials? Does help you know.
I almost never quote.
People give me stuff and I do it.
They pay what I charge.
That said, this is an antique and the lady who owns the high-end
antique store I’m repairing this for wants it fixed because she
can’t sell it broken.
I need 15mm wide 1.5mm, pieces and I could use several 4" pieces. I
have to cut it down and bevel the edges to match what’s not broken. I
also needed some ivory and a friend had an old piano he’d taken apart
for parts. He gave me the old, yellowed ivory I needed. I also need
some flat pieces of dark abalone approx. 10mm x 10mm. I wouldn’t care
if the MOP I got was curved so long as I could grind it flat and get
some pieces in the aforementioned size/thickness. Thanx.
Paf Dvorak
Ok,
Interesting project, Wont be a cheap fix tho!. Ive dug out my store
of MOP shell, havnt looked at it for 40 yrs. Had a slight bother
finding it.
If I recall, it comes from the far east.
Been through the box and there is only one complete shell there. It
measures 7in by 7in. its concave with the depth to the deepest part
of 3/4 in.
The only flat area is where the bivalve had its hinge point. The
inside is the normal iredescent shell The outside is a dark brown
layer of shell some 1/8in thick. Youll have to grind that off. the
smell is awful!.youll need therefore to buy several complete shells,
then get them to a lapidary worker. Hes the only person with a
diamond slitting saw thats accurate enough to cut the thinness you
want.
As and when you get your shells youll find it easiest to cut out the
bits youll need with a bimetal hack saw blade.
Its hard work. So, Where you might get them I dont know. I bought them
from a shell dealer in the East end of London UK.
Polishing it is also hard, tho ordinary metal workers compounds work
ok. ON a new mop only!!
Youll need a polishing machine with 2 to 3 hp running a 6in by 1 in
mop. As for abalone shells these are some 2in deep by 6 by 4in. Ive
lots of small round already cut out in 1/2in and 1in dia. could help
with that.
As you may have gathered im in the UK. Where are you? Keep us posted
how you get on.
Ted.
Thanx Ted et al, I think I found what I was looking for. The lady
described it over the phone & I gave her my credit card #. If it’s
good (or bad) I’ll let you all know.
Hi, I have a plastic bag of mop that is full of round dime to nickle
size finished for making buttonswith no holes.
I used to use then to cut replacement mob in the jewelry business. If
this would help you out email me back and I will see if I can find
them and make you a affordable deal. bob
I haven’t really read this thread much, but I guess there’s a
problem finding this. Here’s all you want:
http://www.ganoksin.com/gnkurl/ep7zmu
If the link is too much/doesn’t work, it’s Indian Jeweler’s Supply
in Albuquerque
You can look up “Handle scales” for handguns- they are sold in
various lenghts and thicknesses, and a variety of colors and
selections.
Texas Knifemakers Supply, and various knife manufacturing folks also
use these sizes- Hope that helps- be safe!
KDuncan
Thank you for all your help and suggestions! I found some at
The lady there was very helpful and sent me what I needed.
Paf Dvorak
I have a job that requires some mother of pearl sheet (flat). I need some that is 1.5mm thick and 15mm wide and approx. 6" long.
You might keep an eye on eBay for “knife blanks”.
Lorraine
I have a job that requires some mother of pearl sheet (flat). I need some that is 1.5mm thick and 15mm wide and approx. 6" long.
I found some just like what you describe from a guitar making
website. It was several years ago so I don’t remember the exact
source but you could do an internet search. My piece was about 3" x
6".
Donna in VA
I think Grizzly Industrial Tools has that product, they certainly
have a great guitar making section in their catalog. Thomas III