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Countersinking

E

ErikD

Joined
Dec 5, 2000
Messages
1,875
I need a way to contersink holes for my handle slabs. I am putting micarta handle slabs onto a CRKT Ryan Model 7, and need to countersink the torx head screws. Unfortunatley I don't have a countersink, and have not had to much success drilling the correct size hole, and then a larger partway down that. Any other ideas? I finished one side, and while trying to enlarge the holes on this side I drilled all the way through, and the screws wouldn't hold on the slabs. I ended up putting the screws in place, and then epoxying the slabs on. If I can't countersink the other side I guess I will end up doing the same thing. The only problem with this is that it is the liner lock side which has many cutouts, and I am not sure the epoxy will make a good enough bond. Thanks in advance.

Erik
 
I attach all of my handles using Torx screws,and they are all countersunk.First I drill the clearance hole for the screw to pass through,then I couter sink this hole using a drill bit just a little bigger than the head of the screw.What size of screw are you working with?I may be able to give you drill bit sizes.
 
Thanks for the offer, but I already know what size drill bits to use. I have tried the same way you suggest, but have found it difficult to prevent drilling through the Micarta, guess I need to practice.

Also I think that once the new Micarta slabs are installed the torx screws for the pocket clip will be to short. Do you think if I drill a smaller hole, and then just install the pocket clip screws directly into the micarta it will be strong enough? I am thinking that since these won't have much stress on them 1/8 screw in micarta will be strong enough to hold it, is this correct?

Thanks again.

Erik:confused:
 
Erik, the screws may not hold up in the micarta over the long term. Are you using a drill press or just a handheld electric drill? If you're using a press you could set the depth so that you don't drill through the bottom. If you're using a hand held you could use a piece of wood the right thickness with a hole large enough to acommodate the bit but small enough to stop the chuck to act as a depth stop. Those bits want to grab and keep going don't they?
 
Peter: Thanks for the tip. I am using a handheld drill with one of those convertors that sorta kinda make it into a drill press, and I fogot all about using the stop.

If the micarta alone won't be strong enough to hold the clip on where can I get new screws a tad longer? I only need three, and would like them to be the same size as the originals so that I don't have to drill and tap new holes.


Erik
 
Eric, your stop may not be precise enough. Try this, it works for me. Get a scrap sheet of 5160 or anything that can be hardened. If you don't have anything get a piece of glass large enough to put the piece on. Drill the hole for yout screw the normal size. Now take the bit you will use to countersink. Carefully drill until you feel the bit bottom out on the hard surface. You should have the origional Diameter hole in the bottom. If it enlarged, use your grinder to point the bid a little more.
 
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