CQC14 First try at thumb disc mod - and pocket clip - feedback please

myright

myright

Gold Member
Joined
Jan 31, 2008
Messages
5,145
Alright fellas - I saw where someone was selling a really cool thumb disc for Emersons which was the end of a shell casing. I think I remember it being somewhere around $150 or something like that. I then remember seeing on a forum somewhere that someone did it themselves so I'm trying it now. I don't remember which forum it was that I saw it on but I am in no way claiming this was my idea, I'm just merely trying it - somewhat successfully...

I grabbed a couple 9mm shells and got to work. I ruined a couple trying to drill out the end of it. I was able to drill out the silver one ok enough to get the screw through. I then moved on to cutting the end off the shell. I was quite surprised to see thick the metal was at the end of the shell. It was really hard to get a straight cut using the cutting disc on the dremel tool. I then tried to get the cut to look decent with a stone disc on the dremel. All in all - I'm happy that it fits perfectly and that when I finally get the cuts straight and looking good that I'll have an awesome finished product. For now I'll settle with this being the first go at it.

I also picked up an extra pocket clip so I could take the coating off. Much to my surprise the clip now has a copperish tone to it that would look a lot better with a brass shell. The next one I'll try will be with a brass shell.

If anyone has experience cutting shells or more experience than me with metal work please speak up and give me some advice in how to get this cut more straight and even. Thanks! :thumbup:

I'll shut up now - here's some pics.

How it started

034-4.jpg


035-3.jpg


036-3.jpg


After the cut

037-5.jpg
 
what did you use to cut the casing? my dad and i are trying to make our own out of .45 casings he made one but he did it all by hand
 
If you reload you could just de-prime the casings with the resizing/de-capping die and then after cutting the cases down with a hacksaw you could clean/even it up with a case trimmer. I like the factory disk just fine and find I open my Emerson folders using the wave 99% of the time anyway.
 
Pretty cool mod :thumbup: does it get in the way or slow down your wave feature when getting the knife in and out of your pocket.
 
Thanks guys!

I don't have any tools specific to loading/reloading. I'd love to be able to get that primer cleanly out of there. Then the screw would sit down in there perfectly.

I hack saw maybe a little better than the dremel unless I take it to a belt sander, as mentioned in a different thread, after cutting with the dremel.

This is something def. worth exploring more for me.

I too like the thumb disk but had to try this one out.
 
d762nato said:
Pretty cool mod :thumbup: does it get in the way or slow down your wave feature when getting the knife in and out of your pocket.
Click to expand...

Because I wasn't able to get the primer all the way out the screw does sit a little higher than stock. It doesn't get in the way at all and the diameter is almost identical.

Once I figure out the primer thing I think I'll be all money!
 
As my son said, I made one out of a .45 casing for him by hand. I reload so getting the primer out was easy. You could try using a finishing nail placed inside the casing on the primer and then tapping the nail while you have the casing up something that will let the primer drop free. I don't have a case trimmer, so I used files to get the size I needed. Was a lot of work but cheaper that the $60 that Emerson is asking. I don't mind paying for his knives, but this I can do my self. If you have access to a mini lathe you would have it easy. I used files to cut the case down also. be carefull you don't cut too far into the case head when cutting down the sides or the screw will have nothing to hold onto.
 
Last edited:
Thanks for the help! Very good tips for when I try it the second time.
 
i found that i have some spent brass from a few .223 casing i have so im gunna try and file that down for my benchmade since the .45 is too wide but the .223 is just right this aught to be interesting. filing them down is a real pain in the ass though.
 
myright said:
Alright fellas - I saw where someone was selling a really cool thumb disc for Emersons which was the end of a shell casing. I think I remember it being somewhere around $150 or something like that. I then remember seeing on a forum somewhere that someone did it themselves so I'm trying it now. I don't remember which forum it was that I saw it on but I am in no way claiming this was my idea, I'm just merely trying it - somewhat successfully...

I grabbed a couple 9mm shells and got to work. I ruined a couple trying to drill out the end of it. I was able to drill out the silver one ok enough to get the screw through. I then moved on to cutting the end off the shell. I was quite surprised to see thick the metal was at the end of the shell. It was really hard to get a straight cut using the cutting disc on the dremel tool. I then tried to get the cut to look decent with a stone disc on the dremel. All in all - I'm happy that it fits perfectly and that when I finally get the cuts straight and looking good that I'll have an awesome finished product. For now I'll settle with this being the first go at it.

I also picked up an extra pocket clip so I could take the coating off. Much to my surprise the clip now has a copperish tone to it that would look a lot better with a brass shell. The next one I'll try will be with a brass shell.

If anyone has experience cutting shells or more experience than me with metal work please speak up and give me some advice in how to get this cut more straight and even. Thanks! :thumbup:

I'll shut up now - here's some pics.

How it started

034-4.jpg


035-3.jpg


036-3.jpg


After the cut

037-5.jpg
Click to expand...

It was either 60 or 65 dollars. Steel Flame sells them.
 
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