New to Folders

[SlyOne]

I've made fixed bladed knives for years but now I want to try folders and I have a lot of questions. One is what type of drill bit to use to countersink the blade rivet hole and the spacer holes on a lock back. I am thinking about a bushing in the tang to prevent the blade from jamming when I peen in the ends of the rivet. Do you still use shims and what thickness? Since cutlery steel is expensive- use the same steel for the lever/rocker? Heat treat the rocker because of the lug area? On the pin for the rocker, if you try to peen it seems it could crack the scales? All help appreciated.

 

[Patrickknives]

I use a 30 degree countersink, but, just touch it to camfer the edge of the hole, I usually do this by hand.

I don't use shims, but I relieve the area around the blade, kinda the same thing, When I peen I use a 0.05 spacer (U shaped) after snugging the pin, pull the shim and give a few more taps to eliminate blade wobble.

Same steel and ht both

You can crack the scales, you need to be carefull, if you start with micarta scales less chance of cracking. Remember you are trying to form a head, so tap in a circle around the top of the pin, this will help keep the pin from expanding and cracking the scales. Also keep the pin short, about a pin diameter longer on each end, this will help form the head without expanding the pin.