Any advice or suggestions for 560C mod?

E

exiled13

Joined
Oct 16, 2011
Messages
128
I've been thinking about putting a pocket clip and thumb studs on my 560C. I've had this knife for almost 17 yrs. I've long given up belt sheaths for pocket clips. Another thing I've considered is drilling out the endentions in the scales. I would tackle this on my own but I've heard and read that the titanium is next to inpossible to drill/tap. I don't feel comfortable carring my knife to a machine shop. I'm going to buy a drill press to do the drilling. So what drill bits and tap will it take to get this done? I have a tap/die set but my understanding the scales won't be cut by them.
BTW how hard is it going to be to drill the blade for the thumb studs?
 
This is something I've done. If you want to drill out the indentations you will have to disassemble the knife first as the mechanism will be in the way. Cobalt bits work best and you will likely need two sizes of pilot holes for satisfactory results.
To drill the blade you will need a carbide bit of the appropriate size. Perhaps a set screw stud would be easier
As for tapping, I've found the regular taps more effective than the HSS. I regularily use a 7$ 2-56 tap on Ti and only break one every one in a while. Make sure you use a full taper tap and back off/cut every couple degrees. Use a lube like rapid tap.
You've got your work "cut" out for you!
Happy drilling
 
When I saw 560C Mod.......

I thought Buck had come out with a new premium steel.

Don't scare me like that.

:D
 
jarheadz28 said:
This is something I've done. If you want to drill out the indentations you will have to disassemble the knife first as the mechanism will be in the way. Cobalt bits work best and you will likely need two sizes of pilot holes for satisfactory results.
To drill the blade you will need a carbide bit of the appropriate size. Perhaps a set screw stud would be easier
As for tapping, I've found the regular taps more effective than the HSS. I regularily use a 7$ 2-56 tap on Ti and only break one every one in a while. Make sure you use a full taper tap and back off/cut every couple degrees. Use a lube like rapid tap.
You've got your work "cut" out for you!
Happy drilling
Click to expand...
Thanks for the advice. Yea I know its hard tricky work. Not from experance but from research. Do you hand tap? Last night I was reading that it was unwise to hand tap TI.
 
puukkoman said:
How else would you tap it?
Click to expand...

Put the tap in a drill or lathe and hand turn the chuck with the drill press, with the lathe you would put a live center on the end of the tap and turn the tap with a wrench.
 
I have hand tapped with success, the occasional broken tap. I haven't tried in the drill yet. you can also get (OD) knurled, threaded inserts, drill then hammer and glue in. Those work well depending on your pocket clip bolt pattern. I can send you some if youd like.
 
jarheadz28 said:
I have hand tapped with success, the occasional broken tap. I haven't tried in the drill yet. you can also get (OD) knurled, threaded inserts, drill then hammer and glue in. Those work well depending on your pocket clip bolt pthanks attern. I can send you some if youd like.
Click to expand...
Thanks brother, but I'm gonna try to do everything myself. I'm not sure when I'm gonna tackle it. At 1st I was thinking on drilling the handle without taking the knife apart. Since I've heard it had to be. Even though it seems to be possible to drill without taking apart I'm looking into what pins to put it back together with. I want to find some machine screws so I can take the knife apart in the future plus I think it would add to the custom look. What you think?
Puukkoman, sorry I didn't answer ya I've been tied up. Like what's already been said w/ a lath. Even though you want to manually turn it. Your making sure the tap is staying TRUE. Also less likely pushing on the tap and letting the tap pull its way through the material. I've read some say they had good luck hand tapping TI and other say its impossible.
 
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