Folding Knife Drilling Instructions:

[LuckyBladeworks]

I made this print out to be laminated and hung by my drill press. Let me know what you guys think.

Various holes to be drilled in a folding knife:

*Pivot:
1/4" Pivot: Predrill with Letter "D" (.246") bit and ream to 1/4" (.250")
3/16" Pivot: Predrill with #14 (.182") bit and ream to 3/16" (.187")

*Stop Pin:
3/32" Stop Pin: Predrill with #43 (.089") bit then ream to 3/32" (.093")
1/8" Stop Pin: Predrill with #31 (.120") bit and ream to 1/8" (.125")
5/32" Stop Pin: Predrill with #24 (.152") bit and ream to 5/32" (.156")
3/16" Stop Pin: Predrill with #14 (.182") bit and ream to 3/16" (.187")
7/32" Stop Pin: Predrill with #3 (.213") bit and ream to 7/32" (.218")
1/4" Stop Pin: Predrill with Letter "D" (.246") bit and ream to 1/4" (.250")

*Lock Bar Location Holes: Either can be drilled with 3/64", 1/16", or 3/32". No reaming required. Drill through entire liner or frame. Used as a start and stop for lock bar cutout.

*Detent ball:
-Drill through with #55 bit in blade and spot lock side frame with #55 bit.
-Then drill the lock bar spring with #53 bit. Press fit the detent ball in this hole. #53 bit is .059" so that gives .030" press fit with a .062" detent ball.
-Leave detent ball proud from spring the thickness of 1 washer.

*Screw Tapping and Clearance in Titanium:
-0-80 Screw (.060"): Drill with #50 (.070) bit for clearance and predrill with #55 (.052") bit for thread tapping.
-1-72 Screw (.073"): Drill with #46 (.081") bit for clearance and predrill with #51 (.067") for thread tapping.
-2-56 Screw (.086"): Drill with #41 (.096") bit for clearance and predrill with #48 (.076") bit for thread tapping.
-4-40 Screw (.112"): Drill with #30 (.128") bit for clearance and predrill with #38 (.101") bit for thread tapping.

*Deburr all holes with 1/4" 82 degree single flute cobalt or carbide countersink

 

[crocogator106]

I'm just getting into folders and this will help alot. Great info all in one handy place. Thanks! I think I'll do the same!

 

[Tony Miller]

All your clearance hole sizes look too large. I use a #44 with 2-56 screws. If you use a #41 you have .01 slop which will show a visible crack between the bolster and scale.

 

[12345678910]

I find reading the four digits difficut.

If it were for me, I'd loose the ten thousandth digit

 

[Frank Niro]

For 0 X 80 I use a 55 for threading and a 1/16 for clearance in titanium.
For 2 X 56 I use a 50 for threading and 43 for clearance in titanium.
Frank

 

[LuckyBladeworks]

Thank you Tony and Frank. I appreciate your guy''s input. These are the bits I use and they have worked for me. It may make a difference being that I use .150" thick titanium as my handle frames when I make a frame lock folder. Again, I welcom and will listen to anybody's methods. I think you are right 12345678910 I will knock the last digit.

 

[Ken H>]

Good job Lucky - I added 1/8" and 3/32" to the pivot portion and saved it myself. Thanks.

Ken H>