Help with setting pins on my first folder.

[zanemoseley]

I'm making some Christmas presents and need some help with a folder. I'm making the knives with my step father who has made about 30 fixed blade knives but no folders. He usually just epoxies the pins in place then sands and finishes.

I'm making this knife from Texas Knife, http://www.texasknife.com/vcom/product_info.php?cPath=119_141_842&products_id=664

I'll be using the pin and thong to hold the spring mechanism, pin for the lock back pivot and pivot pin for the blade. I'm not going to be using the small scale reinforcement pins. Currently all we've done is rough cut the scales and epoxied them onto the respective sides. I dry fitted the knife before attaching the scales, its operated fine and locked well. I need help on the correct way to peen or otherwise set the pins in place, I assume without the aid of epoxy as this would really screw up the 2 pins that are used as pivots.

Thanks in advance.

 

[tiguy7]

There are pin spinning tools that come in various sizes and mount in the chuck of a drill press. The ones I have are made from broken carbide milling cutters.

 

[Bill DeShivs]

Spinning pins gives a cheap, factory look.
Countersink the thong hole and use the taper of a puch to flare the tubing into the countersink.
I believe these knives come with a piece of shim stock for peening the blade pin. Use it between the blade and liners. Cut the blade pin leaving about 1/16" or a little more on each end exposed after squaring the ends. Place one side of the blade pin on an anvil and peen the other side with a small hammer, flaring the head slightly. Turn the knife over and repeat. Continue doing this until the blade is tight, then remove the shim stock. Use taps-don't beat the pin. You want to upset the head of the pin only.
The handle through pins should be done the same way. You can slightly chamfer or countersink the holes. Peen lightly until the head flares, turn over and repeat, etc., until tight. Then file all the heads flush, sand smooth, then polish.

 

[zanemoseley]

Is spinning the pin gives the best odds of success I'm all for it. Being our first folder and being for a gift I want the best odds possible. Can you guys recommend a good pre-made tool. A quick google search isn't turning up much.

 

[tiguy7]

I got my pin spinning tools from tbarkcustomknives in January, 2013.