Anyone out there have experience with skeletonizing the liners on an axis folder? the steel is 420j. Does benchmade heat treat the liners? How would you go about it? Seems a plasma cutter would warp steel that thin. Will a standard high speed steel drill bit cut 420j stainless? perhaps a hydraulic punch. Seems a dremel with an abrazive blade may get to hot. I have access to all these tools, but no similar steel to test on.
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customized axis liners
- Thread starter Billywill
- Start date
Not pretty, but it works:
I streamlined the spine on this HK tanto, needed to remove some metal in the rear to rebalance (of course all this destruction hidden from view, under the scales). I think I lightened the knife close to 2/3 oz, featherweight now in hand, and balances just like the original (I think the larger HKs among the best-balanced-- for my taste-- knives BM makes). Just stuck my power drill in a vise, put a small abrasive bit on it and had at it, holding the liners to the bit. Liners surprisingly (to me anyway) resistant, on another set I chewed up a few bits drilling before deciding to try this method. I do e'thing the hard way....
I streamlined the spine on this HK tanto, needed to remove some metal in the rear to rebalance (of course all this destruction hidden from view, under the scales). I think I lightened the knife close to 2/3 oz, featherweight now in hand, and balances just like the original (I think the larger HKs among the best-balanced-- for my taste-- knives BM makes). Just stuck my power drill in a vise, put a small abrasive bit on it and had at it, holding the liners to the bit. Liners surprisingly (to me anyway) resistant, on another set I chewed up a few bits drilling before deciding to try this method. I do e'thing the hard way....
deathofallthings
@DeathGripScales
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- Jan 3, 2011
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As you know, the rift isn't skelentonized... I wasn't having any of that.
The problem with 410 420 is it work hardens like crazy. So you start drilling, it goes fine till it gets thin, then it gets hot and hardens, and destroys drill bits. So you need to use coolant and you need a machine like a mill that can do very very low RPM and maintain the needed torque to drill. By low I mean like 100RPM, which is well below most drill presses. But if you have a mill and coolant and your speed set right, you'll find it drills quite easily. If you don't have that, honestly don't try to drill it, it's much more trouble than it's worth. 3.94oz with the CF scales, G10 might be a hair more, but you could always drill a little bigger, I went conservative.
The problem with 410 420 is it work hardens like crazy. So you start drilling, it goes fine till it gets thin, then it gets hot and hardens, and destroys drill bits. So you need to use coolant and you need a machine like a mill that can do very very low RPM and maintain the needed torque to drill. By low I mean like 100RPM, which is well below most drill presses. But if you have a mill and coolant and your speed set right, you'll find it drills quite easily. If you don't have that, honestly don't try to drill it, it's much more trouble than it's worth. 3.94oz with the CF scales, G10 might be a hair more, but you could always drill a little bigger, I went conservative.
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Thanks, that Appears to have turned out very well, good pics, helps put the process and finish picture in my head . That is exactly what I'm going for. I do have access to a mill at work, however I'm not very familiar with it. Is there a particular type of drill bit like carbide, or will a basic steel bit do the trick?
deathofallthings
@DeathGripScales
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- Jan 3, 2011
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Yeah a HS bit should be fine, I didn't use carbide or anything. I did however sharpen it right before I started the work. If you don't have access to a drill sharpener, might just want to buy a brand new bit. I also stacked both liners together when I clamped them down and drilled both at once, helps make sure everything is symmetrical.
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Hey, I know you from PBN! A cocker guy and a benchmade fan. Dude you have great taste! LOL.
He is correct, but you could also use a center cutting carbide endmill. Or at least a good split point cobalt drill.
He is correct, but you could also use a center cutting carbide endmill. Or at least a good split point cobalt drill.
deathofallthings
@DeathGripScales
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haha, yep, that's me.
Been awhile since I've done any paintball stuff, but my merlin is still going strong.
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- Feb 21, 2013
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The Merlin of doom! All of mine still run great too, But I only know this because of reballs. I haven't actually played in 2 years.
My collection of knives grows, as does my methods of sharpening them. Last year I finally pulled the trigger on a full Edge pro Apex system and chosera stones. Though I still use my Lansky kit.
I have 9 BM's ATM. Waiting on the next model and steel combo to say "buy me!". Waiting on a Swamp Rat Rodent 9 right now.
My collection of knives grows, as does my methods of sharpening them. Last year I finally pulled the trigger on a full Edge pro Apex system and chosera stones. Though I still use my Lansky kit.
I have 9 BM's ATM. Waiting on the next model and steel combo to say "buy me!". Waiting on a Swamp Rat Rodent 9 right now.
deathofallthings
@DeathGripScales
- Joined
- Jan 3, 2011
- Messages
- 914
I have an Apex 4 and I love it. I haven't gone for the after market stones yet, but when these are warn out I think I'm going to go for the choseras as well. I use my lansky sharpener all the time for smaller knives, like swiss army knives and leathermans and such, stuff that doesn't have a nice wide blade to lay on the table of the edge pro so the clamp just makes it easier, plus they're lower quality so the edge doesn't have to be so perfect.
This is my only swamp rat, it's hard to hold with out a big smile.
This is my only swamp rat, it's hard to hold with out a big smile.
- Joined
- Feb 21, 2013
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Exactly what I use my Lansky for, But I have a sapphire stone and these.
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And I can't say I blame you for not being able to hold back a smile when you hold that SR. I get a half chub just looking at them. LOL!
And I can't say I blame you for not being able to hold back a smile when you hold that SR. I get a half chub just looking at them. LOL!