Assembly and Disassembly of Slip Joint Knives

William Schrade

William Schrade

Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
Joined
Jul 30, 2012
Messages
616
Hello slip joint makers,

How do you build and take down your slip joints during the fit ups? I know it's done many times to get the right fit. Do you use a jig or a device that makes it easier to pin the blade against the spring?

My hands are killing me!

Thanks

Bill Schrade
 
Corey,

Thanks for your reply and link.

And good luck with your next slip/hip joint.

Bill
 
I just use a small bench vise for most assembly. Usually, all that needs to be compressed is the backspring.
 
A piece of pin stock or a cut off drill bit chucked in a drill press works well to compress the spring for fit up. Also, a Ruple gauge can make a big difference in not having to do the put together/take apart dance as much.
 
synthesist said:
I had a similar problem not long ago when I was converting a Stockman into a Whittler. I think the spring depressor I made may help you some. Check out this thread:

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1058896-My-Camillus-72-Whittler-Project-WIP

I think there are some pretty fair pics in there but if you have questions just ask.

Corey
Click to expand...
I am so making one of those things. I even have a little vise on my "slipjoint and assorted other stuff" workstation! I knew putting it on there would come in handy!

20130807_091535.jpg


20130807_091525.jpg


20130807_091520.jpg
 
Thanks for your wishes on my hip................ I'm confident and ready to get on with that William.

The little aluminum depressors were made out of a 1" x !'' piece and I made a few with different widths and lengths of tongue to use on different knives. I will say that I bent a couple while experimenting on the right sizes and going forward I may make some out of plain ol' steel for added strength.

Cor
 
I just take a 2" piece of 3/32" pin stock and put it in my cordless drill and go to the belt grinder and grind a taper on it. Use a small pair of vise grips to hold it and push it through the pivot pin hole.

Stan
 
I'm not sure I understand what you guys are doing here.
I put my blades in the knife and THEN install the spring.
All you have to do is get it centered in the liners and squeeze it in the vise until the pin hole lines up.
Am I missing something?
 
Hi Bill,
I believe the difficult part is when you still have excess liner (not already grinded flush)...in this case the spring is not immediately accessible with the vise.
Of course when the liners are finished you can do the squeeze thing fairly easily, and insert the pin.

Corey, your spring compressor is a piece of cake :) :thumbup:
 
SBuzek said:
I just take a 2" piece of 3/32" pin stock and put it in my cordless drill and go to the belt grinder and grind a taper on it. Use a small pair of vise grips to hold it and push it through the pivot pin hole.

Stan
Click to expand...
I combine this with a small clamp, with the blade installed and the lower pin squeeze the spring slightly, you will see the pivot hole line up, but it does not need to be completely in line, insert the pointy pin and give a couple of taps it should slide in, align the hole and set the spring tight. A long taper on the pointy pin is helpful
 
Brian.Evans said:
I am so making one of those things. I even have a little vise on my "slipjoint and assorted other stuff" workstation! I knew putting it on there would come in handy!

20130807_091535.jpg


20130807_091525.jpg


20130807_091520.jpg
Click to expand...

It's creativity and ingenuity like this that made America great. Makes me really happy to know there are still folks out there that have a problem and set out to come up with a solution. So totally cool.
 
Bill DeShivs said:
I'm not sure I understand what you guys are doing here.
I put my blades in the knife and THEN install the spring.
All you have to do is get it centered in the liners and squeeze it in the vise until the pin hole lines up.
Am I missing something?
Click to expand...

Bill,

So the last pin you place is the center pin, Correct?

Thanks

Bill
 
Yes. I shape liners first. I do understand what the problem is, now. I have had to use backspring-thickness pieces of metal as shims before.
My general though process is doing repairs, rather than making.
 
I imagined it Bill, the Sinthesist's jig is well tought because prevents the "shim" rocking possibly causing pry on the liners. It may also be helpful when final fitting in case of fragile scales... i would make the base in brass, with a padded edge.
Jeez, i love slipjoint making because they are a row of little mech problems to find solutions for :)
 
Eugene Shadley has a book he sells in "shop book" format that won't break the bank, and has quite a few of the little details reveled in it. I like it, though I admit I have yet to put much of it into practice. Amazon only sells the printed version for big money.

It might interest you. "How I make multi-blade folding knives"

-Ron
 
Bill DeShivs said:
I'm not sure I understand what you guys are doing here.
I put my blades in the knife and THEN install the spring.
All you have to do is get it centered in the liners and squeeze it in the vise until the pin hole lines up.
Am I missing something?
Click to expand...
This is the way I do it, Bill...
 
Those shims might be handy for replacing a blade without removing any other pins!
 
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