Making Custom scales?

[AddictedToGear]

I have started to make my own fixed blades which has been quite some work and a lot of fun at the same time. I have thought about making some custom scales for a few of my folders with various handles materials I have. The whole shaping the handle and contouring it is fairly simple since I am used to that. Drilling the wholes for the screws is what I am not sure about. I have just been using pins on my fixed blades. I assume I do not have to thread wholes on the knife scale, but I was wandering how to taper the edges so the screws fit flush and it all looks well done. This may be a simple question but help would be appreciated.

 

[N8N]

The correct term I is 'countersink' and there are tools available for that. Check to make sure that you actually have flat head screws that use a countersink though and not a recessed socket head screw which would use a flat bottomed hole - for that you would use a small spade bit or Forstner bit.

 

[rpttrsn]

Flat head screws would take a 82 degree countersink. When you drill the hole for the dia of the screw you will then countersink the hole for the screw head. You can try the screw in the hole or just turn the screw upside down and see if the head just fits in the top of the countersunk hole you made.

Any screw with a flat below the head would take a counterbored hole. These holes were counterbored.

 

[keroscene]

another, not as recommended way would be to use a small bit to make the hole, just large enough for the threads to pass through. Then, use a bit that's the same size as the screw's head to make the countersink. The biggest issue with doing this is the bit will try to chew through the G10. You have to be very careful or you will drill all the way through and waste G10 and precious time. The easiest way to avoid this (other than being extremely careful) is to use a dull bit. The sharper the bit, the more it will grab the G10. Again, you're better off using a countersink, but in a pinch this works also

 

[N8N]

If I had a lot of holes to drill that would all be using the same screws, I would be tempted to modify a drill bit that's the right size for the OD of the large part of the hole to drill the hole and make the countersink/counter bore all in one operation. Combined with a drill stop this should give very repeatable results.

 

[Akcir]

There are knife maker supply houses online that sell step drills. If you use them enough to justify the cost, that may be the way to go.