Build a linerlock

Jammer Six said:
Thanks! It makes perfect sense, now!

When you disassemble a finished knife, can you get the ball out, or is it being held in place?

I suppose if the hole were small, as you suggest, and you used a hydraulic jack as a press...
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The detent balls are typically held in place using what is known as a "interference fit". In other words, the hole is ever so slightly smaller than the detent ball, so when it is "pressed" in, the liner material around the hole holds it in place. I've removed balls by punching them out form the back side of the hole, but you can generally only put a larger ball back in it's place, as the material is too stretched out by then to replace the same ball. I suppose you could peen the hole back tight again if you're careful, and THEN re-insert the ball, but I've not really had success with this; at least not when trying to position the ball at a specific height. YMMV.

Most makers just pop the ball in with a punch, as far as I know, though an arbor press can work as well. Typically, a bushing/spacer is used to set the exposed height of the ball, so that it can't be pressed in too far.
 
Thanks!

Why does he say that the ball must be in the red circle? Wouldn't it work as well outside the circle?

What determines the diameter of the red circle?
 
Jammer Six said:
Thanks!

Why does he say that the ball must be in the red circle? Wouldn't it work as well outside the circle?

What determines the diameter of the red circle?
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The main idea is that you want to detent ball to remain in contact with the blade as it's opening and closing until either a) it springs into the detent hole on the blade, or rolls off the blade as it opens engages the lock face. Many makers also prefer that the hole/detent in the blade tang remains hidden as the blade rotates open and closed, which will also determine the diameter of the circle to an extent.
 
So in this particular knife, the diameter of the red circle is determined by the edge of the blade when it's open?
 
Jammer Six said:
So in this particular knife, the diameter of the red circle is determined by the edge of the blade when it's open?
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That's part of it. It's also about what will keep the path of the detent inside the end of the handle while keeping the detent on the end of the lockbar.
 
Path of the detent...

How is it possible for the path of the detent be outside the handle if the ball is permanently fixed inside the handle?
 
Jammer Six said:
Path of the detent...

How is it possible for the path of the detent be outside the handle if the ball is permanently fixed inside the handle?
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I'm talking about the path of the detent relative to the blade. The ball stays put, yes, but there is a hole or indent in the blade tang, that when closed, the detent ball will go into.
 
I've seen this on a Strider folder where the handle was so short that the detent hole in the blade was exposed when the blade was fully open and locked. Not a performance issue but one of visual aesthetics.
 
I am interested in making a liner lock folder. In my web search I was referred to this thread.
I can not get excess to the pictures, is there a way I can or can any one refer me to a later dated thread?
 
Hi Louis, the pictures are most likely gone due to the old age of this thread - it happens. Pictures that are hosted externally (as in this case) can be deleted or their url changes or... other stuff happens. If you have a specific question you can start a new thread here in the shop talk forum.
 
Louisvn28 said:
I am interested in making a liner lock folder. In my web search I was referred to this thread.
I can not get excess to the pictures, is there a way I can or can any one refer me to a later dated thread?
Click to expand...
When you understand how the liner lock knife works, you are left with the problem of making it. And that is a bigger problem and it depends only on you. No explanation how someone else do that will help you ..
 
Welcome Louisvn28. Fill out your profile so we know a bit about you and where you live.

As pointed out, this is an old thread. Photos don't last many years. You can use the Custom Search Engine in the stickys to search for threads on specific topics. There have been a lot of threads on folders.

There are several books on making a folder. Bob Terzoula's book is a good one.

If you find an old thread with info you want to refer to, start a new thread and link the old one in your post with your questions/comments.
 
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