newb help

[childzplay]

This seems so dumb, but it's causing me some grief so I thought I would ask.

I've attached one scale to one side of the blank and used my drill press to drill through. When I drill through and turn it over I have some slight chipping around the pin holes.

I'm thinking maybe I shouldn't have sanded the scale down so far before drilling the holes. Or, maybe there is some trick I don't know? I think on my current knife, I'll be OK, but I'd like to figure out how not to have this issue in the future.

Thanks in advance for any advice.

 

[silver_pilate]

Always drill into some sort of backing block when working with delicate handle materials or you will likely get chipping out. I have a chunk of squared wood I keep at the drill press for just such occasions (a slab of micarta works well also). The other thing to remember is to keep the speed of drilling constant. Often, it's easy to "pop" the drill bit through the other side of the work piece, but this sudden drill movement can worsen chipping out. As you feel yourself start to break through, lighten up on your pressure so that the bit exits smoothly and cleanly.

I also typically don't do a majority of my shaping until the handle is secured to the tang. That way if there is any chipping out, it is removed as I shape the handle.

--nathan

 

[stephanfowler]

another option that can help when possible is to start with an undersized pilot hole and then drill to finished size

kinda hard to pull off if your doing a .125 pin

 

[childzplay]

Thanks Nathan!