HELP ! Bronze washers

[A. G. Russell]

Why and what kind of Bronze for Washers in modern folders? ? ?

thanks,

A. G.

 

[JCaswell]

Phosphor Bronze.
Bronze is more durable than teflon, nylon, plastic washers--especially when subjected to contaminants (such as dust in the desert) that tear up the teflon/plastic washers. When they break in they're very smooth. and if everything's right, there's a lot less perceptible blade movement side to side (a more rigid assembly.)

Things like blade flatness and liner parallelism are more critical because you can't just squish a couple thousandths of slop out like you can with the teflon. (Assembly is less forgiving if things aren't right on.)

...My 2 cents.

 

[A. G. Russell]

Phosphor Bronze.
Bronze is more durable than teflon, nylon, plastic washers--especially when subjected to contaminants (such as dust in the desert) that tear up the teflon/plastic washers. When they break in they're very smooth. and if everything's right, there's a lot less perceptible blade movement side to side (a more rigid assembly.)

Things like blade flatness and liner parallelism are more critical because you can't just squish a couple thousandths of slop out like you can with the teflon. (Assembly is less forgiving if things aren't right on.)

...My 2 cents.

Thank you! Phosphor was the word I could not remember. Where is the best place to buy them?

thanks,

A. G.

 

[JCaswell]

That sort of depends upon the size and quantity.
For smaller numbers in sizes he offers, there's always Knife Kits.
For larger numbers and/or custom sizes (they will probably have to make them to your specifications, so be prepared to talk +/-), I've had good luck with these guys:

http://www.bindermetal.com/stock_items.php

 

[A. G. Russell]

that link did not work for me ?

 

[JCaswell]

Hmm, that's odd, it works for me ...(??)
...maybe this way?

http://www.bindermetal.com

If not, their phone is:
(800)233-0896

 

[A. G. Russell]

I did, it worked, thanks

A. G.

 

[Kevin Wilkins]

Bokers (http://www.bokers.com/) in Minnesota are by far the best source in the world for stamped washers. They have made all of my phosphor bronze washers for years. They have tooling for almost any size washer you can dream up and their finished pieces are tumble deburred and very flat. I don't even bother to get quotes from anyone else.

 

[A. G. Russell]

Thank you all, you have given me just what I asked for. Most helpful

all the best, A. G.

 

[JCaswell]

Bokers (http://www.bokers.com/) in Minnesota are by far the best source in the world for stamped washers. They have made all of my phosphor bronze washers for years. They have tooling for almost any size washer you can dream up and their finished pieces are tumble deburred and very flat. I don't even bother to get quotes from anyone else.

:thumbup: Cool, another source to check out. I'll give them a try next time! Thanks!

 

[Kevin Wilkins]

In the 1000s of washers I've bought from Bokers I have never had a single one that was out of spec. Really nice people to deal with too!

I usually buy 1000 pieces which is where the price really starts to make sense and 1000 isn't that many really. That way when one falls on the floor... let it roll!

 

[Nathan the Machinist]

I wonder why phosphor bronze?

According to the machinery's hand book, it is commonly used as washers and springs, but not thrust bearings. We call them washers, but in reality, we are using them as thrust bearings.

There appears to be better bronzes for our applications (metal to metal sliding contact), such as 660 bronze. It is also available as a vacuum impregnated oil filled sintered powered metal specifically for bearings.

660 would have to be turned from bar stock, as thin sheet does not appear to be available anywhere. Do you think the popularity of phosphor bronze has to do with it's easy available in thin sheets for washer stamping?

 

[mete]

Not really a thrust bearing application. Phosphor bronze is used for it's spring properties and electrical properties so you find it in switches often. Readily available in sheet so it's a good choice. BTW I recently took apart my Sebenza as it must have gotten some dirt or dust in it .Bronze in good shape ! Putting back together requires care as it's precision manufacture !

 

[Kevin Wilkins]

Phosphor Bronze works great for folding knives and is he bronze material of choice for this application. (Which is why Chris Reeve uses it.)

If you wanted to pay someone to bore, face, part and lap washers for you, that would be fine by me. Do you really think a marginally smaller coefecient of friction would be worth the cost on a hand operated pocket knife? There would be no difference in the performance of the knife but it would cost a good deal more money.

I use sintered bronze bearings in my knives in addition to the bronze washers. Sinter bronze is good for cylindrcal bearings, which is why thy are produced for industry by the million from this material.

It is substantially more time consuming to make a folder to precise tolerances with a bearing and non-compressing bronze washers than to simply run a round pivot with screws on both ends through a hole in the blade and tighten it down until the blade locks, then back off a tad.