Couple of quick questions

Stark Knives

Stark Knives

Joined
Mar 19, 2010
Messages
1,154
1. When I go to drill pin holes in the wood for handles, do I drill the holes the same size as my pins? Or do I do a bit bigger? I'm using 3/16 pins FWIW.

2. With kydex sheaths, I was planning on using Chicago screws to hold it together. How would I know what size screws to get if I'm using .08 kydex? Does one size screw fit all?
 
You can drill the holes the same size, however a lot of people will tell you to drill holes slightly bigger so the epoxy can fill in the gaps. This is what I recommend.

The pins will have a hard time fitting into the wood, and you might have to tap them with a hammer slightly. They will go in with pressure, but do not drill them bigger, you will leave gaps.
 
Your pins should slip in easily with hand pressure. Try this in a mock up prior to glueing. If you have to tap em much they are too tight. You will end up cracking some handle materials. At least I did a few times before I got that figured out. I don't use a 3/16" pin very often so I can't think of what size drill you should use but for 1/8 I use a #30, for 1/4 a F drill etc. Seems like a lot of woods will shrink up a hair after you drill, you won't see any epoxy around the pin.
 
If you go a couple thousandths over in the wood and the next fractional bit in the steel, you should be good. You won see a glue gap if is .005 bigger or so, like Horsewright said. Going one fractional size bigger inthe tang allows some glue around, and helps if the is a micro shift in something.
 
There are two choices:
1) Drill the hole in the wood about .005" larger than the pins. Test and see if the pins just slip in with modest hand pressure. In a number size drill set, that is usually one or two numbers larger. In a letter set it is one letter larger.
2) Turn the pin down a tad. Drill the hole the same size as the pin stock, and then chuck the stock in a drill chuck and turn slowly while applying 120 grit sandpaper. Do a little sanding and test the fit. When it slips through with just a twist it is right. The plus of this method is that it makes the pin sides have micro-rings that help hold the epoxy and maker a much stronger grip.
 
I can't help ya with the Kydex deal, I'm a leather guy. But I have a box of different size Chicago Screws so definitely not one size fits all.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top