Making Leatherman Wave Blade

M

Munky88

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Jun 1, 2008
Messages
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I have a peice of cpm154cm left thats the perfect size to make a new blade for a leatherman wave. The problem I cant figure out how to get around is drilling the hole for the pivit. I cant really do this after its heat treated, and holes change size during heat treat right?

Is there like a pre determined amount that they change?


crap, cut myself examening it. quite deep. bloody keeyboard. dried by the time i got back.
 
Drill and ream to the final size you want pre-HT. After HT, just ream out with the same size final. You may have to go a little slower, but it will be fine.
 
Hi Munky, hardened steel usually "grows" or gets a bit larger. That being said, most likely your pivot pin hole will tighten up after HT. The few folders I've made I drilled and reamed to .0005 - .001 undersize before HT. After HT I use a barrel lap and some diamond compound to bring it up to size. A good place to get a barrel lap is at Mold Shop Tools http://www.moldshoptools.com/catalog/list.php?category_id=102 About $5.00 for the lap. You can get the diamond compound from the same place (click on "product catalog"). Its a little more $$ than the lap (~ $20-$30) but a syringe will last a long, long time if thats all you're going to use it for.
 
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The holes in my folder blades are 3/32, I have not found a barrel lap that size yet. I roll a little piece of 440 grit paper into a very tiny circle and stick it through the hole and spin the blade. dont take much to get a good fit.
 
Patrickknives said:
The holes in my folder blades are 3/32, I have not found a barrel lap that size yet. I roll a little piece of 440 grit paper into a very tiny circle and stick it through the hole and spin the blade. dont take much to get a good fit.
Click to expand...

Right, so I can just drill it to the correct size and do that, then sand back the back part so it fits right on the liner. and for the ball detent can i just use a punch?
 
Patrickknives said:
The holes in my folder blades are 3/32, I have not found a barrel lap that size yet. I roll a little piece of 440 grit paper into a very tiny circle and stick it through the hole and spin the blade. dont take much to get a good fit.
Click to expand...

A method described in "How to make Folding Knives" that many makers use :thumbup:


Munky88 said:
Right, so I can just drill it to the correct size and do that, then sand back the back part so it fits right on the liner. and for the ball detent can i just use a punch?
Click to expand...

Riiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiight :rolleyes:






;)
 
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