Gearing Up For Liner Locking Folders

S

Satchmo

Joined
Jan 11, 2005
Messages
56
Recently I have read several books and have watched a video on making Liner Locking Folders, as I have decided to branch out from fixed blade knives. I have found one thing out for sure, everyone has there own method, which includes sizes of just about all material used in a Liner Locking Folders, including pivots, screw sizes,titanium thickness,washer type/thickness and on down the line. I have already ordered some sheets of titanium in 0.63 and 0.90 from Halpern, along with some 2/56 and 1/72 flat head screws,along with some 1/8 X 1/2" and 5/16" x 7x32 shaft pivot pins. Now I have my Enco, Grizzly and MSC catalogs out looking over different carbide drill sizes/numbers, taps, reamers for drilling and connecting everything together.
Now I am starting to scratch my head a little as I want to place an order for the drills, taps and reamers that will basically cover any sizes I might need and also in quanity where I will have an extra for unforeseen breakage, without ordering everything in the book. This is partly due to the fact ever maker that I have read or watch has use different size for some screws,pins etc.
I was hoping that some of you nice folks out there would be kind enough to recommend what would be a good assortment and which sizes or numbers of drills, taps and reamers that I might be able to order from any of these catalogs and any other pertinent material or information that might be helpful?
Does any one know of a site that shows a Liner Locking Folder schematic, blown up that shows the knife apart with all of the drilled hole sizes, which ones are tapped,threat sizes, with all parts etc. coming together to make the knife?
Your help is appreciated!
Thanks,
Jon
 
Ray Rogers has an ecelent tutorial on linner locks, http://www.rayrogers.com/index.htm

Two tools I couldn't do without, a decent disk sander with ajustable table, and one of thouse organizer hang on the wall cheap plastic things with bunches of little drawers they sell at walmart. The organizers are great for seperating little parts from one anouther.

Anouther tool that comes in handy I made myself. A master screw, tap, and drill gauge. If your like me and just scratch your head at what drill goes for what tap for what screw, this'll help. It's nothing more than a 1/8" thick piece of barstock with three holes drilled in a row, the first hole leave alone, the second gets tapped, and the third gets drilled for clearance. I used a letter number stamp set to mark everything. I've got four size groups so far and it's handy to make sure I'm using the right bit and tap for the screw I want.
 
Hi Jon. As you said, many makers have different techniques. Without knowing your tooling or what method you want to try, I would suggest to keep it simple, make a couple, build your confidence then experiment with the many other liner lock building techniques. Whatever method you use a couple of things are very important, get everything as flat as possible, bolt/screw the frame together as strong as you can to keep it that way. I started with Robert Terzoulas' The Tactical Folding Knife method and purchased all my hardware from R.B. Johnson. A great guy and he will bundle/label everything, screws with the correct drills and taps, detent balls with the correct drill and carbide spade etc. he will also include an exploded view of a liner lock anatomy. I currently use a different method but Robert T's way or as Wll suggested, Ray Rogers tutorial is a great way to get started. I recommend exploring R.B.'s site then give him a call.

R.B. Johnson Folding Knife Anatomy and web site

Good luck, Dave
 
Satchmo said:
Does any one know of a site that shows a Liner Locking Folder schematic, blown up that shows the knife apart with all of the drilled hole sizes, which ones are tapped,threat sizes, with all parts etc. coming together to make the knife?
Your help is appreciated!
Thanks,
Jon
Click to expand...

Yep, right here.

http://home.earthlink.net/~donwrobinson/id2.html

You'll also find a book on how to make linerlocks on another page on the site.
 
Great information guys! Will52100, I think that is a great idea on using the 1/8" barstock and drilling the three holes. I am definitely going to do this.
Dave, thanks for the tip of RB Johnson's site which I just viewed. I am going to give him a call and use his guidance to place an order. That seems the best way for me to go at his point. BTW, those are some really nice knives you have made, shown under your profile.
It is great to be able to go this site and get some good advice! Thanks Everyone!
 
The easiest way to keep track of which drills to use with which taps, is to just purcahse or print out one of the tap/drill guide charts. Every shop should have one. Most shops have several.
They can be found by doing a search for "tap drill chart" on google. Some can be printed out, some can not. These charts sell for just a couple/few dollars at the industrial supply centers.
Basically, decide on getting drills/taps to work with 0-80, 1-72, or 2-56 screws. You can't go wrong with ALL three. Down the road, youwill decide what you like best. I personally like to TRY and do all 2-56, but that is not always the case.
Spiral point gun taps from Greenfield are awesome.
Cobalt drills mostly, and you will also need some carbide from time to time.
Good cutting/tapping fluid.
If you don't have a tapping guide, you can always use your drill press with power turned off, for a guide.
Hope this helps a little.

I too, like you, have been in constant need of different bits, reamers, taps, etc.
 
Thanks for the good information Razorhunter. I called RB Johnson's office in Minnesota and the recording said he would be out until March 24.
Maybe he is here in Orlando, on vacation from the cold in Minnesota, soaking up the sun, golf, and parks....(<:
 
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