Drilling handle pins

Cjordan525

Cjordan525

Joined
Nov 3, 2013
Messages
25
Hey guys, I am new to making knives and I need some help. I have used the search function and can't find a specific answer to my question. I am drilling my knife for the pins and I don't know if I am doing it right. I ordered 1/4" tube and 3/16" pin stock so I drilled the holes 1/4" for the tube and 3/16" for the pins in the blade. The tube fits nicely but the pin won't go through without force. I drilled one of the pin holes a 32nd bigger and it felt to loose. So my question is what are you supposed to do when drilling the blade? Drill the same size as the stock you are buying or bigger? And when drilling the handle material do you do the same or something different? I am sorry if this has been covered before but my search skills must be poor because I couldn't find it.
Thank you in advance for your help.
 
I drill the size of the pin I ordered and use a chainsaw file to fine tune the fit. Or if you don't have a small enough file I would sand the pin until it fit just right.
 
Ok so you need to try and keep the hole as snug as possible to the pin without it binding when you push it through?
I will see if I can find some files to help me. Thank you for your response.
 
Im a beginner, but this was my method before I got good with my drill.

I drill 7/32" holes for my 3/16" pins in my tang and then drill 3/16" holes in my handles. This helped me initially get good quality results... However you are relying on the epoxy to do a little more holding by using this method... I haven't had a problem yet, but I haven't really taken them through the paces either.

This works great if your holes in your scales aren't exactly perfect.
 
I have been using a digital micrometer to measure my pin material and found that it may be a couple hundredths off from what they are stated as, so I adjust the size of my drill bit to the size of the pin stock at the moment, and drill through the scales with that size. The hole In the tang of the knife typically gets slightly oversized when I drill through it into the scales, so that's a non issue. It works pretty well for me, but there may be other methods that are an improvement. I'll have to use that file trick if I get into a bind, thanks Dave.

Edit:
also make sure you are always drilling into a surface absolutely parallel to your bit/chuck, aka FLAT. Even a slight variance can add up on three pieces drilled separately, ask me how I know...:rolleyes:

Justin
 
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I either use a reamer on the scale material, or I put the pins in the drill press and run a file on the side of them as they spin. This will turn them down a touch, and also rough them up so the epoxy will stick to them better.
 
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