Sometimes!

Things just don't work out. I recently bought some Madagascar Ebony to use for scales. I thought that they would come out nice but boy was I wrong. After getting them shaped to my liking I sanded them down to 1000 grit and buffed them out. Didn't look like I wanted them too so I sanded them down again and gave them a coat of Tru-Oil.
After they dried I sanded back to 1000 and buffed again. Still not good
I sanded back to 1000 and buffed again. Still not right.
Sanded back to 1000 and gave them a light coat of wipe on gloss poly. After they dried I sanded back to 1000 and buffed again. Still not right. Resanded and tried a light coat of CA, sanded and buffed and they still look like crap.
I finally just drilled out the pins and lanyard tube and removed the scales. I haven't decided what I'm going to replace them with but you can bet it's not going to be Madagascar Ebony.

It looks good in the picture.

What the heck is wrong with the ebony? You are your worse critic.

The scales just didn't pop, the contrast of colors in the wood just wasn't what I expected. The scales are now resting comfortably in the trash can.

I'll take those scales. Been looking for something to inlay in old 10/22 stock missing sling studs. I'll even pay shipping plus.

I'll bet they didn't come off in one piece. Lol!

Oh yeah

Tell me how big of a piece you need and I'll send you some. I doubt I'll be using any more of it.

Yeah they came off in one piece but they were a little burnt. Heat is the enemy of epoxy!

They look great to me.