Proper drill size for 3/32 detent ball

E

elementfe

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May 3, 2008
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Happy to say that I'm busily making every possible mistake, just to get them out of the way!
This week's was going out to the shop while something was on the stove, to do "one more thing".
That was drilling some liner locks for 1/16 balls...so, having always used a 52 in the past, I cheerfully grabbed a 1/16 bit and got er done....yeah...been there?
Fortunately, USA Knifemakers is incredibly fast, so the package I ordered on Friday, from Minnesota to Seattle, got here today with 3/32 balls.
Unfortunately, I don't have the "next size smaller," which would be 42- but I do have 43's- am I asking for trouble using them? What do folks who've done this use?
...not that anyone else has made this goof...you don't have to admit it...
Thanks!

Andy

Forgot to mention- drilling into .032 stainless-410
 
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Thanks, Peter!
I was a little nervous about experimenting after doinking them up once, helps to hear from someone who's done it.
A.
 
3/32 is a weird size.
Weird in that there are no standard smaller sizes that are proper for a press fit.

.0048" Is WAY too much press fit in my opinion. (#43)
If you even can get it to press in, you are really going to distort things.

A better ball size to move to is 5/64 or 2mm

If you must use the 3/32 balls, a .093" reamer is the right way to go.

Are you really doing this in .032" material?
 
In .032 material,your gonna have about .030 of ball sticking out each side.Good luck.
Stan
 
This is a situation where I ran out of thicker stock and decided to do a few with .032 for the practice.
You know what?
It doesn't take a lot of this to learn that making a good, clean, sturdy folder is plenty of work if you have all the right ingredients and avoid doing anything really dumb...stuff like this SHOULD make me pay attention and take it more seriously.
It's going to take some relief work on the scale and a drilled divot for the ball on the back side, but some family member will get a nice serviceable pocketknife, and I'll get some more practice. All good.

Thanks for the feedback and tips!

Andy G.
 
Ive never had trouble with the number 43 before, but your right, that is thin stock. And it matters how close the ball is to the lock face, too close and the ti will bow out onto the path of the blade.
 
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