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Damascus-birdseye placement

Fred.Rowe

Fred.Rowe

Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
Joined
May 2, 2004
Messages
6,848
To keep the drilling to a minamum, I lay a pattern of the proposed blade atop the billet and mark the location of the ricasso and spine. Using this pattern I place the birdseyes where they will have the desired effect and drill the holes with a carbide jobber bit. I then press the billet down to the desired thickness
and get ready to grind. It's a little less work, which can be considerable when making a big blade.

Fred

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J.Wade said:
Nice work.

How deep do you drill the holes?


Thanks
jimi
Click to expand...

The billet is 3/8" thick when the holes are drilled.

If I want to end up with a 1/4" thick billet to pattern and profile, I drill the holes just slightly past the shoulders on the drill bit, that is just about 1/16".

Adding the holes on both sides: 1/16"+1/16" = 1/8" subtract this from the 3/8" billet and you end up with a 1/4" billet after you press or hammer the eyes flat.

I hope this helps, Fred
 
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