Barrel Lapping Compound for Pivot Holes

Brian Avila

Brian Avila

Joined
Jan 2, 2011
Messages
1,286
I have seen some makers talk about different types of compounds and manufacturers that are used (DMT , Clover, McMaster Carr compound).

I am curious about the grit that most of you guys use? I have seen 400 grit many times. But I am curious to why 400 grit. Wouldn't it be beneficial to have a higher finish in the pivot than 400? My initial thoughts are 1500 grit, which is almost a mirror polish.

Maybe there are diminishing returns? I would like to go: undersize hole, reamer, heat treat the blade, lap the pivot after heat (with a single grit).

Maybe I can't just use 1500 grit compound after heat treat?

Thoughts?
 
Reaming the hole for a pivot pin of the right size not under or over size works fine. Much playing around like polishing the pivot and trying to polish the inside of the pivot hole and you are going to end up with a sloppy pivot situation. Frank
 
So how to you take care polishing the pivot after heat treat? There could be a little warp, the hole could shrink a little, and it won't be as nice after the heat treat.
 
I have started using a barrel lap on my balisong blades which use bushings. I use 600grit diamond paste I bought at MSC.

There is no slop since I am only removing fractions of thousandths.

Using a finder grit will take much longer to achieve a polished pivot and you will use a lot of lapping compound.
 
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