Drilling Bolsters

[GOTTMILKK]

Does anyone have any ideas on how to attach the bolsters, guards to the blade so you can drill the pin holes in them. thank you Gene

 

[george tichbourne]

I clamp them in place with a pair of vice grips. In the case of bolsters I cut them long on the front side, clamp and drill one side only, put the blade aside and drill the second bolster using the first as a drill guide. I then insert pins, reclamp the two bolsters together and finish the front edge of the bolsters as one piece. That way they line up perfectly when they are put on the blade. Check the backs of the bolsters for drilling burrs and remove same for good blade to bolster fit.

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george
www.tichbourneknives.com
sales@tichbourneknives.com

 

[Bill Bryant]

I drill bolster holes just like Mr. Tichbourne writes and I would add to use a good sharp drill bit and cutting oil while drilling, especially if you're drilling nickel silver or stainless steel. If you use an old dull bit the bolsters heat up and want to jump around and get out of alignment with each other. I get a new bit about every 6 - 8 sets of bolsters. I also touch the back edge to the sander to make sure the bolster edge the handle material will butt up against is square and flat. Slightly countersink the pin holes on the outer surfaces so when you flatten the pins they hold the bolsters to the blade.

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Bill
"There's nothing friendlier than a wet dog"
"The more people I meet the more I like my dogs"


[This message has been edited by Bill Bryant (edited 01-09-2000).]

 

[T. J.]

Here's a widget that makes it much easier. Take a piece of hardwood 1"x4"x7" smooth it up and cut 3 inches off one end. Now cut that piece in half. Screw the 1.5" pieces onto the 4" piece so that there is a 3/4" to 1" valley between them. Make sure top and bottom are parallel. Now you can clamp your bolsters with vicegrips and put the vicegrips into the valley with the bolster resting on each side and drill through the blade and bolster, and it's parallel to the table on your drillpress.

Or you can use a drill press vice if your carefull not to drill into the jaws.

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