New guy/ first timer with EnZo Trapper blank & a problem....

[jeffjenn]

So I find myself with an EnZo blank (O1) & some nice looking maple I've had curing for a few years. Now I want to make a knife. My problem is everything I see on the EnZo blanks is glued on scales & Corby rivets. While it does make a very nice looking knife I don't have the confidence my first attempt will turn out as good as I hope. What I want to do is use some flat head screws & connectors to hold my scales on like the Esee knives do. Sounded easy enough to me until I measured the holes in the blank. The supplied holes measure .185", & the connectors that I need to go in those holes are .250"! Now I'm assuming the steel is hardened in the tang area, & I will have trouble drilling it out. So what can be done to make this work??

 

[Will Leavitt]

A carbide burr in a dremel tool will open up those holes. Be very careful about heating the blade up... you shouldn't but I'm just saying is all.

 

[12345678910]

You need to drill larger than .250, at least .251"

You can try a solid carbide drill.

You can try a small carbide burr, or wheel in a Dremel.
If you butcher it up badly and the holes are not really round, it won't matter as the wood will cover it and the epoxy will seal and fix it in place.

 

[jeffjenn]

Thanks for the ideas:

Will, is this what you are talking about? http://www.amazon.com/Style-Cylindr...AC/ref=sr_1_10?ie=UTF8&qid=1301684000&sr=8-10 Could I use it in a drill press in place if the Dremmel for accuracy? What speed would you reccomend?

12345678910, I understand making the hole larger, but I was under ther impression that I couldn't use a carbide drill bit on an existing hole without it grabbing & breaking the bit. Also, yes the wood will cover it, but what epoxy? The scales are to be removable?? Don't I need an accurate round hole??

Thanks again, Jeff

 

[12345678910]

12345678910, I was under ther impression that I couldn't use a carbide drill bit on an existing hole without it grabbing & breaking the bit.

Also, yes the wood will cover it, but what epoxy? The scales are to be removable?? Don't I need an accurate round hole??

Thanks again, Jeff

If you want to make it removable and not use epoxy, yes the holes should line up well then.
I have never seen the advantage of removing the scales, so I wasn't thinking that way.

I've done it without grabbing, but I clamped it down well and put material behind the work piece.
Steady feed is preferred over pecking.

 

[jeffjenn]

I've done it without grabbing, but I clamped it down well and put material behind the work piece.
Steady feed is preferred over pecking.

I clamp & back most anything I drill so that's no problem. What bit speed would you reccomend??

 

[Will Leavitt]

I just go to Lowes and they have carbide burrs in their tool section with all the other Dremel tools... $11 I think, maybe less. I've never used a burr in a drill press but I'm thinking slow.... I run my carbide drill bits slow.