Methods of Cutting out Lockbars?

[crowmagnon]

Hi everyone,

I'd really like to know how people cut lockbars on their titanium linerlocks.
Last night I made a folder "proto", and used a long line of drill holes and a dremel cutting disc to cut the lockbar out.
Needless to say, although functional, it was a mess...

Would I need to invest in a bandsaw?
Or will a hacksaw and elbow grease suffice?

I apologize if there is another thread on this already.


Thanks!

 

[12345678910]

slitting saw



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=stF3D9kMhOI

 

[Frank Niro]

I use a Dremel with a flexible shaft with a cut off disc - usually require more than one disc. I have done them by hand but made a tool holder for the dremel and now use it. Frank

 

[Salem Straub]

I've mostly used a cobalt slitting saw similar to the one pictured, run slow with coolant in the mill. After seeing some real quality work by good makers done with an abrasive cutoff wheel in a drill press, I tried that on my last two TI liner locks. It worked very well. I used a 1/16" thick x 3" or so wheel, bought with the chuckable arbor at the local hdwr store. Forney brand I believe.

No hole drilling is necessary except drilling where the inside corner of the lockbar cutout will be, and I like to drill a hole at the "hinge" end of the bar too, to terminate the slit cleanly. I used the highest speed on the drill press and cut lightly, bit by bit. It doesn't take very long in .060 6Al4V.

Then either the same blade or a bandsaw can be used to make the short cut at the lock face.

Look for Gareth Bull's thread about making a liner lock in this forum. I think he has pics of doing it that way.

I may still use the slitting saw for some locks, but the abrasive wheel arbor is much less bulky than my slitting saw arbor, improving clearance and easing setup, and abrasive blades are WAY cheaper than cobalt slitting saw blades.

 

[crowmagnon]

Thanks Salem, I didn't think of using the drill press.
Going to the hardware store tomorrow, so I'll see what my options are.

 

[Mitchell Knives]

Slitting saw in a mill or drill press.

I've also used dremel wheels in place of the slitting saw.

 

[elementfe]

Thanks, Salem!
I gave up on that method after wearing away at a couple 416 lockbars and getting nowhere- but I was using the little 1" disks and nowhere near enough speed.
Guessing that a 3" on max speed will be a whole new world.
I've done all my lockbars with a little jeweler's saw and it works pretty well, just takes a couple minutes each with the right tooth pattern and some beeswax, and it's kind of meditative, but it's pretty hard to do a really straight cut.