Help - Thin guard slots!

I

itrade

Joined
Jul 3, 2002
Messages
645
I have an order for 4 steak knives. The guy wants hidden tangs. The steel I have is ground to .083. After finishing let's assume .080 or something.

How in the world am I gonna make slots that narrow? Should I find a machine shop? Would one of you guys with a milling machine be willing to help!?

I could use 416 in 1/4 or 1/8". I even have some 410 in .040. I could design around that if thinner material would help.

Ideas?

Steve
 
Don't know if it's possible, but can you mortise the guard?
 
Drill 1/16" (.063") holes and file out. You can grind down a knife-edge needle file to finish. Alternative files are the slot-cutting files sold by Brownell. Fragile little beasties, but they use 'em for cutting slot-heads in screws. You can also make yer inital cut with a jeweler's saw if need be after drilling one hole. There are also very small burs available for Dremels, Foredoms, etc, that you can use if need be. One other possibility is the very narrow abrasiv-coated strips used in guunsmithing. Once again, give Brownell's a check. Alot of the gunsmithing tools work good in a knifeshop. I'd do the files, personally, and just check the fit after every couple filestrokes.
 
Steve
that is a small one
you can have them milled with a bigger end mill
and mill down close to the end, then slot it with a dermel
cut off wheel finish with a small file
the handle side will cover the hollowed out end
you can fill it with solder or epoxy.
this way you'll have a lot less work.:)

oh
to add send them up I'll do the milling you do the slots OK?
up to 1/2" or so if you want :D
 
Thanks!

That's perfect. I'll do all the above:

* Use an end mill to make a thinner spot for the slot.

* Use a 1/16" bit to drill both ends of the slot

* Use a 1/16" diamond burr in the dremel to connect the dots

* Use itsy bitsy files to size it.

Not nearly as scared as I was.

Should be an interesting project.

Steve
 
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