Newbie's First Mod Questions

[Quapaw]

I want to try doing a modification on my own, so I've decided to work on a Byrd Raven. I want to move the clip to the other side for a left pocket carry. Steve has said on other threads that Chinese knives use metric or proprietary thread sizes, so what would you recommend using, maybe 2-56 x 1/4" T6 buttonhead?
Anybody know a good source of 2-56 screws?

Also, are there any good alternatives to G-10 that aren't so lung toxic to work with? I was thinking that maybe translucent UHMW sheets would look pretty cool, but I don't know if that comes in any color but white. At least I've never seen any other colors.

 

[STR]

Just about all the man made materials have some health risks. Delrin may be the best one of all to work with.

I don't think for drilling a couple holes that any of them are something worth worrying over.

The problem is not drilling the holes so much although you'll probably need a correct size cobalt drill to make it through the hardened steel liners. Using a HSS drill you might get one hole but the next you'll just burn up the bit and heat the knife handle up. The cobalt should be good for both holes or three if that is the case unless the liners are harder than 45 Rockwell in which case you'll know soon enough because your drill won't do anything but spin. If you use a cobalt drill speed is the slowest. .

Problem is finding cobalts in the right sizes though and you'll probably have to shop at MSC for the correct size carbide double flute drills to do this which means more money. Carbides ain't cheap. You need a number 48 drill to make the holes for a 2-56 screw size and in carbides crank up the speed to highest or second highest at the least and you'll need at least one threader for 2-56 and I'd recommend two or three since you'll likely break it off if you are not careful trying to tap hard steel. If the liners are harder or near hard as the threader you won't be getting far.

Buy the threaders and screws from micro fasteners and get the HSS threaders. These are much nicer and longer lasting than the carbon ones others sell trust me. Those carbon tappers break if you hiccup using one. They are a waste of money in my opinion. Screws need only be 1/4" and they'll probably be too long so they'll need shortened.

It seems like its a little easy job to most folks but trust me there is more to this than just what it might appear to be on the surface. One wrong move you mess up. So map things out correctly before proceeding.

Use the clip to mark where you want it and then drill one hole and only one. Thread that hole and mount the clip using the one screw. Then drill the second holding the clip where you want it to be with the help of the screw that insures it does not move. The holes in the clip are bigger than the drill bit if you have the right drill so no worries.

Once you get the second hole drilled then drill the third, and then take the clip off to thread out the other two holes. Binding the threader is a good way to break the thing so don't have the clip on there where the threader can catch the edge and lift it up or it will bind and break off causing a mess.

Use the correct size drills. #50 is too small for that threader in steel or titanium. Use the #48. You can get a number 50 to work in just the G10, Micarta, or FRN but only in softer materials like those. You'll likely break the threader in anything harder using that drill size.

STR