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making folders
- Thread starter marekz
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Why a "Folder Making Machine" of course!
http://www.stationery-making-machinery.com/category/folder-making-machine.htm
Patrice
http://www.stationery-making-machinery.com/category/folder-making-machine.htm
Patrice
- Joined
- Jul 23, 1999
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Be ready to empty your pocketbook! When I made my first order of folder making supplies from MSC, I got a padded envelope about the size of a 1/4 sheet of paper......that cost right at $350!! That was drill bits, reamers, and small taps.......Lord only knows who much I've put into "folder making" since then. Let's see....hardened precision stop pins, pivots, bushings, 1-72 & 2-56 screws, washers, carbide countersinks, Hi-Roc drill bits, parts for building thumb studs, counterbores....oh, and odd sized end mills, cut off wheels.
Machine wise, I did the first few folders by hand sanding with a granite plate, but quickly realized that I needed a surface grinder if I was going to get it right. Then came a precision drill press and chuck, and then finally a whole bunch of tools and tooling that I had to make myself, simply because they were not available.
Sometimes I think folders would be best made by having all the parts EDMed, waterjet, or some other means.......but wheres the fun int that?
Machine wise, I did the first few folders by hand sanding with a granite plate, but quickly realized that I needed a surface grinder if I was going to get it right. Then came a precision drill press and chuck, and then finally a whole bunch of tools and tooling that I had to make myself, simply because they were not available.
Sometimes I think folders would be best made by having all the parts EDMed, waterjet, or some other means.......but wheres the fun int that?
- Joined
- Mar 10, 2000
- Messages
- 1,146
Check out
http://boseknives.com
and go through the 170 photos on making a backpocket knife. It is under tutorials on the links and resources page.
Watch the tools Tony uses. He is one of the best folder makers and doesn't seem to have splurged on equipment.
Good luck and remember patience is a pre-requisit for slippies.
If you are talking liner-locked or back locked folders, what you have plus what Ed mentions is a good place start.
Spending a day with a good folder maker would also be a really good asset.
http://boseknives.com
and go through the 170 photos on making a backpocket knife. It is under tutorials on the links and resources page.
Watch the tools Tony uses. He is one of the best folder makers and doesn't seem to have splurged on equipment.
Good luck and remember patience is a pre-requisit for slippies.
If you are talking liner-locked or back locked folders, what you have plus what Ed mentions is a good place start.
Spending a day with a good folder maker would also be a really good asset.
Last edited:
- Joined
- Mar 12, 2006
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seriously this is insane. i never tried it before. i was going to start with a kit. then maybe a sherline mini mill. a rise and fall indicator. but seriously anyone have any good reference books? i cant go spending thousands of dollars to make folders. what the hell. im sure it can be done more simply. man im getting ticked off:thumbdn:--thanks marekz- Joined
- Sep 10, 2000
- Messages
- 4,786
Well for me and a few others I know , as far as liner locking folders are concerned,if you have a reasonable drill press and metal cutting band saw that you can use on other materials, as well as a good 2X72 grinder then you have enough. In order to buy quality materials and small tools in small amounts or large for that matter go to USKnifemaker Supply. Great prices too. I use either .040 or .050 titanium for the liners on mine with a 416ss spacer, .015 bronze wasshers. 0X80 screws - flatheads to go from one liner thgrough spacer to the other, button head for bolsters and scales and 1/8" pivots. I don't have a surface grinder and won't be getting one, nor do most of the people I've helped, who are doing some pretty darn good work. If I can help , more let me know here. To see some of my work, go to customknifegallery.com scroll down the makers on the left hand side to find me. There are a few helpful things I can pass along to get you going on making parts parallel and other approaches. Frank
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You could start with Bob Terzuola book.
http://www.amazon.com/Bob-Terzuola/e/B001KIOSLS
There is also "How To Make Folding Knives"--mostly dedicated to lockbacks, but has good general insight on simple knifemaking by some great makers.
http://www.amazon.com/Make-Folding-Knives-Step-Step/dp/0873413903
When you add it up, if you're going to be making knives, you're in for thousands of dollars of cost. The good news is you don't have to cough it all up at once.
Get one or both of these books.
Maybe buy a kit or two to look over.
Get some basic machines--a drill press is a must, for instance-- and see where it leads. :thumbup:
Seriously, though. Making folders is a frustrating business. If you're a stickler for fit and finish and like an impeccable action, it can be very very maddening and requires a great deal of patience.
I'm not sure why you're getting mad.
Check out these books and try it yourself. Just be warned if you like making knives, it's gonna get expensive!
Last edited:
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- May 3, 2006
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Well...as far as tools, I made this friction folder with the exact same tools I use to make fixed blades, i.e. angle grinder, drill press, files, and sandpaper. I think a folder with any kind of locking mechanism would be a whole different story, though.
Well you haven't said what type of folders you would like to make either. Slipjoints? Lockbacks? a Friction Folder? a Liner lock or a framelock? a Balisong? an Automatic?
The two books mentioned above are good for liner locks and lockbacks. There is an out of print book on slipjoints "How to make a multiblade folder" second hand copies are rather expensive though.
If you are interested in slipjoints then Chris Crawford has a good pictorial/tutorial on making one from a pattern using an existing knife. I have a tutorial that I put up after designing my own slipjoints. I have only made slipjoints so far so I can't really help with any of the other types.
If you are really keen all you need to make a folder is a drill press, a file, some sandpaper and a lot of patience.
Alistair Phillips
http://knives.mutantdiscovery.com
