custom size pivot pin and screws

S

SRWeldon

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May 26, 2012
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I have a pocket knife that I want to replace the pivot pin and screws on but cant find a matching size on any websites. Are there places out there that will make custom sizes?
 
I don't know of any, but I've sized them(pins) with a drill, file and a drill gauge.
 
Just ream the blade hole to fit the closest pivot size ( carbide reamer, careful use of chain saw sharpening stones, or careful use of diamond cylinder burrs). Pivots come is a lot of sizes, both metric and SAE, so you might want to look around some more. Try Knifekits.com as well as the other knife suppliers. Once the desired diameter is found, the length can easily be trimmed to fit if it does not come in the exact length needed.
 
What kind of knife is it? What are the sizes? It's rare that a knife company makes a completely proprietary screw size (though screw HEADS can be another story), and pivots are often sized to some kind of standard.

At any rate, depending on the design of the knife, you should be able to find the next larger size and ream and/or tap to fit.
 
Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith said:
Just ream the blade hole to fit the closest pivot size ( carbide reamer, careful use of chain saw sharpening stones, or careful use of diamond cylinder burrs). Pivots come is a lot of sizes, both metric and SAE, so you might want to look around some more. Try Knifekits.com as well as the other knife suppliers. Once the desired diameter is found, the length can easily be trimmed to fit if it does not come in the exact length needed.
Click to expand...

McMaster-Carr also sells a variety of threaded posts, standoffs, etc.... you just have to know what their specific terminology for the part is, as it's sometimes a little different than what you might think. For instance, instead of "pivot" it might be "binding post" or "sex bolt".
If anything they should at least have the screws that SRWeldon is looking for, or something that will work in place of the originals.
 
I appreciate the responses guys. Reaming the holes for the pin is an option but the screw heads are way bigger then anything I can find and they sit flush. So all the screw heads would not fill up the holes if that makes any sense.
 
There are all sorts of sizes of screws available. Just match the thread of the pivot. Again, Knifekits has a lot of screw sizes. The industrial places, like McMaster-Carr sell many more sizes.

Another trick is to use a smaller flat head torx screw set in a washer to fit the old recess. The washer can be brass or stainless steel, and the center hole tapered to fit the flat head screw. The assembled pivot/washer can then be sanded to fit the scales or bolster perfectly.
 
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