Delica 4 titanium spring holders/spacers

STR

STR

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Thanks to Dave's loaning me his D4 for this I can make some D4 spacers out of titanium. I have just enough in the correct thickness to make three and thats all I have in all my collection of scrap cut off end pieces from years of cutting it.

In doing this I realized the other reason that this is particularly tough to pull off. The barrels on these things are some odd size. They are not 3.3mm metric, thats too small, #30 didn't cut it, thats too small, #29 is almost right but still too small and requires several passes of a diamond burr to ream the hole it makes to the exact size. #28 is too big. So, thats the dilema. I've got a good bit more time in these just to get here at this stage than I anticipated and I haven't even cut them out yet.

So, point is I'll have three here, one is spoken for the other two are up for grabs at $35 each.

After that we'll have to decide since they are tougher than I though due to the odd size drill. It can be done but what a PITA!

STR
 
Here we have one installed for Bungwrench who was kind enough to donate his knife so I can make these and two others reserved now for Dalefuller who snagged them before I even made this thread. Sorry Dale, I almost missed that you made first call on these. Had it not been for looking up Dave's screen name in the other thread I probably would have. But as it worked out you got them.

If you still want two here they are. Just contact me at LgtfutatCableone.net and we'll go from there.

Thanks.

STR
 
Steve,

Thanks man. That's amazing. You did a great job on that thing. If you need to keep it for a while please feel free. If you need or want to keep the factory plastic spacer please do.

Thanks man. I know you just got it today I never expected that you work so fast. You're like lightning. :)
 
I would like to keep the spacer. It will come in handy in the event I do make more later. Its all I'll need to get them pretty darn close for folks.

Not sure how I'll work that. I know fully 20 people have contacted me about those FRN spacers and wanting a metal one. I guess they don't know about my forum yet. I don't know.

I know I've put at least that many D4s back together for folks also when they took them apart and then couldn't get it back together.

Your knife is packed up and going out shortly on the return trip. Look for an email with tracking info from the USPS site here shortly.

Oh, and thanks for lending me your knife and then giving me the spacer.

By the way. It didn't seem that fast on my end. :D

STR
 
Cool. Thanks Steve. You're very welcome. Me lending you the knife is nothing compared to what you've done in return. I do appreciate it. And yes, please keep the spacer.

:)
 
Steve,

How did you make the little "pins" on the titanium pieces? Also, are they still needed since it's Ti instead of plastic? Just curious. :)
 
I always have a lot of end cuts of the number two screws that are like mini all thread rods. I simply threaded a hole and screwed one in there. They are overkill but I'm the overkill king and you have a place to add more strength via the holes in the liners so I figured why not.

STR
 
Steve,

Got my D4 back today. That spacer looks awesome. You did a really nice job. It looks like it came from the factory like that.

I really can't thank you enough.

:thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:
 
Good to hear. That seemed pretty quick. Nice when it goes like that.

It should hold up.

If you do take it apart though be advised it may be a bit more work to get together the first few times. I'd leave it if it were me though. Its tight right now.

STR
 
Nope, I have no interest in taking it apart. I am not sure how much heavier the titanium is instead of the plastic but the knife feels a bit heavier. I like it that way. It also feels more solid. I think it's a better knife. I know that Spyderco is trying to keep the costs down on the D4 and the E4 but these knives would be awesome with this Ti spring holder/spacer from the factory.

I really like this knife much better now, and there wasn't even anything wrong with it in the first place. Another really big thanks! ;)
 
Spydercos big mistake there IMO was making it a take apart knife with an FRN spring holder. If it were pinned like the CIII instead of screw construction the spring holder would not even be brought up as a fault by folks, just as the other FRN knives with them are never spoke of. I mean how many of those have failed? I've noted they indent a little over time but unless you cut them open like I do to rebuild them you'd never know it. The FRN one in there from the factory would probably last as long as the rest of the knife if it weren't for some end line users taking their D4 or E4 apart and putting it back together incorrectly where the little nipples that protrude out get squished and deformed to where they no longer function as designed.

I'd either suggest making future models a pinned construction or including instructions in the box on how to properly put it back together to prevent damage to the spring holder. At the least a warning seems warranted because I've seen a fair share now for that issue. I talked with Sal about it some a good while back but it must not be a real problem for them I guess.

STR
 
Steve,

I just wanted to say thanks again for this spacer. This thing is great. I've still not taken the knife apart and I doubt I ever will. That spacer alone makes the back end of the knife look so much better. This knife will be a super workhorse. I will be beating the living daylights out of this knife.

I'll take some pictures of the knife later and put them up in this forum if that is ok with you? If it is ok with you should I put it in this thread, start a new one, or put it in the "pictures" thread?

Thanks!
 
Fee free and start a new one anytime. I don't mind at all.

Glad you are happy with it. The two I sold to Dale were giving him a bit of a challenge to get in I think. I may end up doing it for him yet or I may have to tweak another hole or two to make them work the same way in his D4s. Have not heard back from him yet. I'll have to check in with him.


STR
 
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