Benchmade bushings?

Warriorsociologist

Warriorsociologist

Joined
Dec 12, 2001
Messages
1,670
Has anyone here tried adding bronze phosphorus bushings (or other types) to the pivot area of their BM balis??? One of the things that attracts me to the MT Tachyon is this feature....any thoughts?
 
Can't seem to find them in the right size to fit the BM's. Plus I don't have a mill to customize them to the right thickness and ID/OD's with the oversized ones. Still looking though.
 
The thickness is .010" x 3/8" x 3/16". Lowes (if there is one in your "area") has some teflon ones that are about the right size off the rack. No, they may not last like metal, but it might be a nice experiment. Some makers like nylatron bushings in their folders. You could also use combinations of various types, to come up with a suitable thickness. I wouldn't be shy about trying a different thickness as long as the blade doesn't bang into the sides of the slot. Phosphorous bronze or oilite are good bushings, and could be hand milled to thickness on sandpaper glued to a flat surface, if you can't find a suitable thickness off the rack.
 
RARanney: The Phosphor Bronze washers I've found so far only come in 0.188"(3/16") ID X .0500"(1/2") OD X .0010 Thickness (www.smallparts.com Part #U-WPB-8). That .5" OD will need to be milled down to fit inside the handles. Also, since I never liked the idea of stacking washers, so I had hoped to find them in thicker sections to sand down to fit. Those tang forks gaps tends to widen not decrease :(

Amazingly, the ones from the Tachyon seems to fit the BM's..... :D
 
Haven't ordered yet from smallparts. But Tony. they have lots of neat stuff in their catalog.
 
Originally posted by navajo
But Tony. they have lots of neat stuff in their catalog.
Click to expand...
Just about have their catalog memorized.... If I ever want to put together a BattleBot for the robot show, I can easily max out several of my credit cards ordering from that place :D

Still, their Ph. Brnz washers selections won't satisfy our BM needs. However, if someone would get Mike Thurber to release his sources we may have a shot...
 
I had a hunch the Tachs might fit the BMs. The WPB-8 is OEM BM correct at 0.010". If you're feeling ambitious find a socket head bolt 3/16" shank diameter and stack a few 1/2" washers on it and tighten with a nut. Chuck this in a hand or bench drill and run the washer up against a file or sandpaper to mill them. You may end up milling the bolt and nut as well. I sort of agree about stacking rigid washers, but a rigid one with a flexible super slick nylatron or teflon would work. The flexible one works as a lubricant of sorts.
 
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