Backspacer on a Friction Folder

T.Saslow

T.Saslow

Periodic Thinker
Joined
Jun 12, 2013
Messages
479
I have been working on a friction folder for a few weeks now and I have just run into a problem, I don't really know how to affix the wedge to the scales. I want to make it so that I can take it apart and replace the washers/clean it out but I don't know how I am going to do that. It would be a lot easier if the back spacer wasn't a wedge but I was advised to make it like that.

I have been going back and forth on methods to attach the spacer and I have come up with two that just may be doable. Either I can just drill a hole and thread the screw through the wood and tap into the spacer which would be epoxied to the opposite scale (this would be prone to the threads in the wood wearing out), or I can countersink a nut into one side of the spacer and thread from the opposite side (the wedge would be epoxied to the scale without the screw in it) to hold it together? I apologize if none of that made ANY sense but it is kinda hard to word D:

Anyways, if anyone has another idea of how to do this that would be easier or less prone to catastrophic failure, please let me know :eek:

Here is the screw and nut I may use- The head is about 3/16" in diameter and the threads are about 3/32" in diameter.


This is the knife itself. The blade is incredibly rough because this was the first time I had ever drawn a piece of steel out (from a 1/2" leaf spring to a 7/32" bar). Handles are "Dalbergia Spruciana, or Amazon Rosewood. Very nice stuff.


Quick picture of it closed. Yes, I plan on trimming the stop pin :D


And this is a shot from above. The wedge is Curly spalted maple and this stuff is crazy! can't wait to get it polished up. I just hope I will still be able to see the "curls" in the wood.


Really, any advice would be a big help. This is my first folder and (sorta) forged knife...Thanks For Your Time!
 
Because I want to be able to take it apart so I can clean it and replace the washers. I would rather not have to rip the whole thing apart to fix a minor problem which could be fixed if I had used a screw of some sort.
 
that is what i was thinking but then i remembered that the spacer is a wedge shape, thus making the handles come in at an angle. i have a feeling, if my geometry skills are any good, that that would make the screw /post come in at different angles....if that makes any sense?
 
What you want are threaded inserts/spacers ( AKA standoffs). They are small cylinders that are threaded through the hole. The insert/spacer goes through the back spacer and each scale screws into it. You sand/file/grind the spacer to the exact size of the back spacer. They can be glued in if needed.
The hole in the scales has a seat in it. You use a counterbore drill to make the seat.

Many people just use pivot barrels and cut/grind to the length needed. A 1/8" pivot barrel takes 2-56 screws, which look good on a folder handle.

http://www.knifekits.com/vcom/product_info.php?cPath=60_83&products_id=6713
http://www.texasknife.com/vcom/index.php?cPath=52_890
http://usaknifemaker.com/folding-knife-parts-c-30.html
 
Thanks Stacy, appreciate the info! Now, how would I make the counterbore exactly perpendicular to holes drilled for the standoff? Should I just scratch the whole wedge idea And make the spacer flat so I just adjust the "action" using the pivot screws?
 
Temporarily tack the back spacer and scales together with a few tiny drops of super glue.
Dill a pilot hole through the scales and back spacer at the places desired. The pilot hole should be the size to match a clearance hole ( for 2-56 that is a #43 or .089").
Counter bore the scales just deep enough for the screw heads to not be proud.
Use an X-acto knife or razor to pop the scales off the back spacer.
Drill out the pilot holes in the spacer to allow a snug fit for the threaded insert. Trim the insert to match the spacer. They can be a tad narrower and all will be OK.
 
I was going to order some tonight but my internet is down....darn Comcast :grumpy:
I'll probably post the finished knife up on the knifemakers gallery or something like that.

Thank you for your time and imput guys!
 
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