D4 problem

[enix]

took it apart to do through cleanin ( which it was quite dirty) and put it back together. has noticably more blade play, and will open w/ a wrist flick, something it did not do before. proceded to take it apart and put it back together trying to fix for about 2 hrs. no change. if i tighten the piviot so that it wont flick open then its too tight and doesnt 'snap' shut, any ideas?

 

[dalefuller]

Without seeing the knife, my best suggestions are 1) check to be sure that the round tabs on the back spacer are properly seated in each liner when you r/a the knife, and 2) be sure that the spring and lockbar fit flush against both liners. No gaps, in other words. The D4s I've handled are all a nice, tight fit when they're properly assembled, so you shouldn't be seeing any gaps down the back of the knife.

BTW, the round tabs on the spacer can give you fits. I've found that the best way to get things back into place is to r/a the knife w/o the blade so that you can fit everything together with no stress on the spacer or lock spring. Once the knife is back together, but not tightened down, you can put a drop of lube or oil on each side of the blade tang to hold the washers in place, and then slip the blade and washers into the handle. Push the pivot through to hold them and then put the pivot screw in. Tighten everything down the necessary amount,and you should be good to go.

 

[oli]

Are all three washers in place? 2 on the blade and 1 on the pivot screw.

 

[s.c.]

though i've never taken re-assembled a delica, i've noticed that when i put knives back together (and most things), it helps to gradually tighten each screw. so, don't screw one in 100% and then move to the next one.

this may be very basic advice, but if you're not already doing this, it may help.

 

[boef800]

The lockbarscrew also plays a role regarding the tightness/tension of the backlock/blade,not only the pivotscrew.Usually you have to find the right balance of torque between the two when putting a lockback together.Maybe that's just the thing here?

Alex

 

[enix]

dalefuller: i took your advice and too it all back apart and put it back together w/out the blade in, this seemed to help. thank you much.

oli: yup, all the washers are there.

s.c.: thanks, i do that too, learned it working on cars.

boef800: i hadnt thought about that, will play w/ that part of it later.

thanks all, i really apreciate all your input.
Ev

 

[STR]

There is a very high % chance that what has occured is that you have only thought you put the little nipple protrusion on the spring holder/spacer for the rear of the folder in the hole in the liner. The spring tension can and will easily dislodge one side of that spring holder and what I've seen happen is that folks don't recognize this, and then damage it sometimes beyond repair by tightening the screws down super tight and squishing it flat or making is larger than the hole it is supposed to go in.

This is all it takes to risk your fingers to a less than reliable lock.

The best method to use to put that knife back together is to assemble it fully without the blade in it first. Then using a tiny screw driver or dental explorer set the blade in and engage it in the lock while depressing the lockbar. Then slide one washer in place and use a small torx driver to center it through the hole in the blade best you can. Once centered slide the pivot through just part way but enough to be able to let the lock bar go and then slide the other washer in place centering it and slide the pivot all the way through to finally tighten the screw.

Its going to take practice I won't kid you, and it may even take a long time to get it right but its the best way to do it without damage to that FRN (fiberglass reinforced nylon) spring holder.

STR

 

[enix]

STR: thank you for that bit of info, i hadnt thought about that, i think i managed to put it back toghether w/out damaging the FRN spacer(beginers luck). i lossend the lockbar screw a bit thanks to boef800 and that has got it back to normal. although i think i might be scrutinizing more now then when it was a fresh spydie.

 

[BREAKING100]

STR, Thanks for those instructions. I followed Mr. Blonde's "Delica Lego" over at Spyder and wound up with a noodle of a D4. Soft lock. Now its back to normal.

 

[proguide]

they need to change that spring holder.

 

[BREAKING100]

My problem was just what STR stated above - only thought you put the little nipple protrusion on the spring holder/spacer for the rear of the folder in the hole in the liner. The spring tension can and will easily dislodge one side of that spring holder and what I've seen happen is that folks don't recognize this, and then damage it sometimes beyond repair by tightening the screws down super tight and squishing it flat or making is larger than the hole it is supposed to go in. I smashed that little nipple and had to reshape it a little bit. Then the little angle where the spring engages the lock bar was cut a little crooked so the spring would want to pop out. As well as me being a total "newbie".