Attaching Bolsters To a Folder Frame??

L6steel

L6steel

Joined
Sep 23, 1999
Messages
5,855
Any time I have tried to pin bolsters onto a folder frame, the frame gets so distorted, it is no longer flat. Has anyone ever tried welding them on by drilling several 1/8" holes in the stainles liner and then spot welding the stainless bolster on?? Any other suggeted methods??Thanks for your help and advice!! Michael

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"Always think of your fellow knife makers as partners in the search for the perfect blade, not as people trying to compete with you and your work!"
 
I have zero experience with this method myself. However, I have had the pleasure of watching Mr. Pat West, of Charlotte, TX use a special type of welder that was set up to accomplish this procedure. (It sort of looked like a set of ice tongs and spot welded the bolsters on in one very quick step.)I did not pay much attention to it at the time, hence my very unclear desctiption.

Note: This fine maker of slip jiont pocket knives ($300 to $400 ea, Vascoware blades, filework, ivory, etc... and a long wait list) does not care for this method. He pins his bolsters on.

Ask around - I am sure someone in here is familiar with this type of welder.?
 
well i don't have experience, but my dad says if you heat up the stainless with a welding torch, don't weld it!, only stainless, you can roll the pin like peening it, then just grind it down flush and you don't distort it. let me double check on this before you try it, ok
 
Oops, I was talking about using a little wire feed welder I bought, not a torch. I didn't know you could weld stainless with a torch.
Tejas, thats a spot welder. Man I wish I had one!!

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"Always think of your fellow knife makers as partners in the search for the perfect blade, not as people trying to compete with you and your work!"
 
oh you mean with MIG welder, that may work. make sure that when you weld them, that you get the weld into the gaps around the rod. actually i just finished some bolsters for a fixed blade, i peened them though. is this your first folder?
 
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