Old Folder Needs HELP!!!! Project Completed.

E

E.K.Tryon

Joined
Aug 25, 2010
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58
This old two blade folder was in a collections of tools I got from my Grandfather. It's in such bad shape I am thinking about taking it completely apart to rehab and repair it back to some usable form, learning about folders at the same time.

Where do I start? I am guessing the pins will have to be ground off the scales to start taking it apart.

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The pins aren't real. Look on the tips of the bolsters-you will find folded tabs of metal. One end is open, the other is a slot. Carefully pry the open end up with a small flat screwdriver, just enough to clear the liner. Then, lift the scale up and push it toward the rear-sliding the other tab out of the slot.
If you aren't very careful, you can break the front tab.
Since you take good pictures, when you get to this point, post some, and I'll tell you how to go further. We'll make this a tutorial of sorts.
 
You will need tools:
pin punch, flat file, small hammer, some sort of anvil, 0000 steel wool, to start.
 
Bill DeShivs said:
The pins aren't real. Look on the tips of the bolsters-you will find folded tabs of metal. One end is open, the other is a slot. Carefully pry the open end up with a small flat screwdriver, just enough to clear the liner. Then, lift the scale up and push it toward the rear-sliding the other tab out of the slot.
If you aren't very careful, you can break the front tab.
Since you take good pictures, when you get to this point, post some, and I'll tell you how to go further. We'll make this a tutorial of sorts.
Click to expand...

I used a pin punch to start the front tab like Bill said and then went to a small screwdriver. I only bent it 90 degrees, just enough to clear the body.

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Here the scale is removed completely

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This is the end opposite of the tab. You might call it the hook or back end.

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Both scales removed looking at the back end.

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Here are the best photos of the rivets up close on one end. I think it is the blade pivot.

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Know what Bill??

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I have popped out all of the rivets and started the steel wool cleanup of all of the parts.
Will I ever get all of the rust stains off the parts??

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Where to I find the .0875 diameter rivets to reassembly everything??

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I can see I have a lot of work to do on the large blade to get it back in shape.

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You can use progressively finer stones or diamond files to remove the grinding marks from the blade. Then use progressively finer grits of wet/dry sandpaper.
You are doing a great job so far!
You arent going to use pre-made rivets. You are going to make them! Locate some common nails that are slightly larger than you need, and chuck them in your drill. Use a file to turn them to the proper diameter. You might get lucky and find nails that are the right size.
When replacing the pins, use this order: pivot first, rear second. Then you will have to compress the backspring with a vise to insert the middle pin.
Then, you can use a small hammer, like a tack hammer (or smaller) to peen the rivet heads. Let me know when you're ready.
 
Bill DeShivs said:
You can use progressively finer stones or diamond files to remove the grinding marks from the blade. Then use progressively finer grits of wet/dry sandpaper.
You are doing a great job so far!
You arent going to use pre-made rivets. You are going to make them! Locate some common nails that are slightly larger than you need, and chuck them in your drill. Use a file to turn them to the proper diameter. You might get lucky and find nails that are the right size.
When replacing the pins, use this order: pivot first, rear second. Then you will have to compress the backspring with a vise to insert the middle pin.
Then, you can use a small hammer, like a tack hammer (or smaller) to peen the rivet heads. Let me know when you're ready.
Click to expand...

Do the rivets have to be from steel? What about brass rod? It looks to me like the originals might have been hollow.

Would I damage the blade if I used my electric wood palm sander and wet sanded the roughness out. Seems like hours of work if I try it by hand.

Do I have any options with the scales? There is something that looks like gray paint in many of the depressions. From the back the cover looks like plastic. I was thinking about trying Goof Off to see if the paint comes off but don't want to damage the original black cover.
 
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Another concern I have is the condition of the big blade and the backspring. Because the pivot was loose the blade was riding up over the backspring and you can see where backspring was worn. (right arrow). Do I need to square up any of the backspring or blade surfaces/corners so it won't continue to have a problem?

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Brass rod will work just fine.
The palm sander will work well-at least up to the finest grits. I would use 400 grit as the coarsest.
I would try scrubbing the covers with a toothbrush and warm soapy water first. Dry, and spray liberally with WD 40 to displace moisture under the plastic. Goo Gone probably won't hurt the plastic, but try the wash first. The simplest thing is to just pick the paint out with a thin knife blade. A toothpick may very well pop it out.

Unless there is a burr un the backspring, nothing needs to be done. Once the rivets are tight, they should hold all the parts in place.
 
Jeezus, I haven't been this excited to see how something works out since I talked Penney Nestlerode into the backseat of my Dodge Coronet 440 in 11th grade!:eek:
 
This is an excellent thread. It's a prime example of the quality of advice to be found here. I've already tucked it into my 'Reference' subscription folder, for future & frequent study.

Kudos to Bill DeShivs and E.K. Tryon for the collaboration. :thumbup:
 
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