Bali's, customs :)

[Taz]

Ok, someone asked me if I make bali's, and I said no, but thought about it more. Sounds fun! I can use a milling machine to cut the slot for the blade, and groove the handles, i can grind blades, use pivot pins for the pins, with screw heads, are washers needed?

What can i use for the handle? Ti, 304, 416, what other metals?

any tips on the latch stuff?

What i am asking for is any and all input into bali's. im interested in making one or a few, depending on my time.

 

[Jim Smyth]

Buy a cheap POS and take it apart. That should answer most of your questions. Same thing I plan on doing.

 

[epigram79]

What CJ said. You could probably mill the entire handle out. The rounding on the pivot ends of the handle would have to be done some other way. Right now, I have a set of handles half complete that are made of 303. That's pretty machine-able steel. I don't know what the difference is between that and 304. If they are basically the same, then it'll be easy. Take a cheap one apart and determine what you think would improve on it.
Good luck to you, it's a lot of fun!

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Steve
(Third Mate...hired!)

 

[e_utopia]

Steve: with the right jig, you could do the handle ends on a mill

I'd suggest 416, since it work-hardens much less than 304.

As for latch tips: don't! (alright, so this is probably a love it or hate it thing, like partially-serrated blades, but IMO, latches are annoying)

--JB

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e_utopia@hotmail.com