Bolster Pins

colu41

colu41

Joined
Dec 24, 2014
Messages
1,598
I started my first bolstered knife today. I did the hard part of the bolsters and drilled the holes. I started with a brand new drill bit, used oil and everything, and its all lined up. Problem is, the pins are extremely tight to where I have to pound them in with a hammer. I was test fitting then and I actually ruined the pins because I had to pull them out with a pair of pliers. I don't want them this tight when It comes down to installing them, in case something goes bad. I want to be able to pull them out quickly. What can I do? I don't have any reaming bits or anything. Everything else is coming out better than I ever imagined, so I figured I would run into a bind sooner or later.
Thanks for any tips.
 
mike-E said:
put your pin stock in your drill press and sand it with 220 while spinning.
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Genious. I thought about putting my tool table closer to the belt on my 1x30 and rolling it on there but, no only is that not very precise, sounded a bit dangerous. lol. I threw it on my press and a couple quick passes with paper they fit perfectly. Thanks man. Bolsters are lookin nice!
 
Good deal glad that worked out for you. In the future use a #30 bit for drilling the holes if you are using 1/8" pin stock. It will fit up perfectly. Are you tapering your bolster holes?
 
Horsewright said:
Good deal glad that worked out for you. In the future use a #30 bit for drilling the holes if you are using 1/8" pin stock. It will fit up perfectly. Are you tapering your bolster holes?
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No. Should I be?

Now that I'm thinking of it, is that for peening the pins?
 
Last edited:
1/8" pins into a 1/8' are really tight and that sounds like what you had going on. A #30 will give you a better fit up prior to peining, Yeah when you taper the hole and then pein the pins they in effect become rivets holding the bolster on. You can get a tapered carbide reamer at a lot of supply houses, Jantz, Sheffield etc. Just chuck er up in your drill press and taper the hole from the outside in.
 
Horsewright said:
1/8" pins into a 1/8' are really tight and that sounds like what you had going on. A #30 will give you a better fit up prior to peining, Yeah when you taper the hole and then pein the pins they in effect become rivets holding the bolster on. You can get a tapered carbide reamer at a lot of supply houses, Jantz, Sheffield etc. Just chuck er up in your drill press and taper the hole from the outside in.
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Cool thanks. I'll have to pick one up sometime this week. Hope to finish the grind and heat treat tomorrow.
 
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