Aluminum Handles for BM 710 - CAD?

[AlisAquilae]

Hello All,

I'm relatively new to the site, so I apologize if I have not posted this in the proper forum. I have done a search on this subject which did not fully answer my questions.

I'm looking into possibly making a set of aluminum handles for my Benchmade 710. I've had a plethora of experience throughout high school with CNC equipment (mills, lathes, plasma cutters, routers, laser cutters) as well as the CAD and CAM software involved and will have access to similar equipment in the machine shop at my University as an Engineering student.

For those out there who have made their own handle scales with a CNC milling machine:
Did you measure/draw up your own CAD for the scales?
What are the concerns regarding tolerances for the area immediately surrounding the axis locking mechanism?
Is there anywhere I could acquire a CAD drawing of the scales for the BM 710?

For those who have experience with aluminum scales:
What is the typical process for texturing the surface?
What would alloy would you recommend for such a project? (Durability, ease of machining etc)
I'd like to anodize the scales a "toxic green" color. Are there any concerns or tips with anodizing aluminum that I should be aware of?


Thank you for your time,
-B

 

[Robs92XJ]

I am not really qualified to answer, having never machined my own handle scales, but this is the Internet after all so I'll say something as though I know what I'm talking about

I think you are going to have to make your own measurements and CAD. I'll be shocked if Benchmade would hand over a CAD drawing. Perhaps someone else has machined scales but I can't recall seeing any. Usually I see scales of wood or something, shaped by hand.

Do you intend to keep the liners, or will the scales replace them? If you keep the liners then most of the critical dimensions for the axis lock will be taken care of there, and your slots in the scales will be slightly oversize from those in the liner. If you are going to have monolithic scales then you will need to be dead nuts on to keep the action right.

Also, on my mini grip there is a flange on each side of the sliding pin to retain the omega springs. That flange sits outside of the liners but is nestled inside a mortise (undercut) on the scales. The mortise actually seems to extend down a ways, and must provide a place for the omega springs to attach (I've not disassembled my mini grip). If the 710 has the same design, that would be really difficult to make in a monolithic scale.

If you retain the liners, then the only thing the scales actually do is provide a stop for rearward travel. Forward, up, and down travel is controlled by the slot in the liners. The scales just need to not get in the way. And of course the scales will need to be recessed on the inside to provide room for the flange and omega springs.

I don't have a useful opinion on alloy except to say that I'd be inclined to go for the hardest one I could find, to help resist scratches. Of course if you are anodizing that will form a hard surface layer, so the underlying alloy may not matter in terms of hardness. Otherwise I don't think a handle scale is a very demanding application for any material, unless you are going to be subjecting it to some specific environment or rough use.

If you go through with this, definitely keep us updated. This sounds like a very cool project.

 

[Rapt_up]

I think I talk about anodizing on another thread here. I have some experience with small production anodizing of Aluminum and type III hard anodiziing. It involves sulphiric acid (battery acid) electricity, and chilling the whole bath down to near 32F, for TypeIII, for type II or commercial colour hard coat chilling may not be necessary.

Its fairly high risk to your health and requires precautions.Caswel Plating supplies chemicals and support and info if you are sreiously interested.