One of the big drawbacks of big, "overbuilt" TI framelocks for me is their weight. The majority make no real effort to save weight, and I'd really love to see somebody mill down some of the interior of the handle slabs to reduce weight. How doable would it be for a modder to do this? Any feedback is appreciated.
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Milling out TI scales to save weight? How feasible?
- Thread starter mbp
- Start date
Wowbagger
Gold Member
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- Sep 20, 2015
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I too love Ti handles especially the thick sculpted variety. I have some plates of TI in the save for later shopping list just waiting for "a little extra cash" to come my way (~$400 a square foot) so I can dig in, as it were.
I have machined unhardened Ti and contrary to popular opinion it isn't that hard to do. If you have a milling machine even better. You can drill it easily with a drill press . . . or I suppose if needs must a hand drill with a reliable depth stop on the bit.
Turn the bit slower than for steel; use cutting fluid formulated for Ti or a good all purpose fluid such as Tap Magic brand. Seems thin as water but it is worth using. The fluid will keep the Ti from adhering to the tool bit and then causing the swarf to ball up. Ti is kind of "sticky".
Post some photos when you get going !
I have machined unhardened Ti and contrary to popular opinion it isn't that hard to do. If you have a milling machine even better. You can drill it easily with a drill press . . . or I suppose if needs must a hand drill with a reliable depth stop on the bit.
Turn the bit slower than for steel; use cutting fluid formulated for Ti or a good all purpose fluid such as Tap Magic brand. Seems thin as water but it is worth using. The fluid will keep the Ti from adhering to the tool bit and then causing the swarf to ball up. Ti is kind of "sticky".
Post some photos when you get going !