Replacing detent ball?

[samhain73]

I am a stickler for folders that are almost hard to open , because of the stiffness of the detent ball, and have in fact gotten rid of folders with a weak detent. I like it when the detent just totally pops into the blade hole, take a reasonable push to get it out. My question is, how hard is it to mod, this on a folder with a weak detent, or even replace the detent ball to make the closed position stronger? And no just tightening the pivot isn't the same, to those whom might suggest such a thing

 

[wwells20]

I like the same feel on my knives too. On frame locks where the detent ball hole is drilled through (the lock bar) I can usually tap the ball out and lay it back in the hole and gently tap it back in. This will usually expose more of the ball and make a stronger detent. I do this on a flat surface with a washer to catch the ball. I lay some sort of flat washer (just a plain old flat, from the hardware store, washer) on a flat, hard surface (I use a bench vise) and use a small drill bit or Dremel bit that fits the hole and tap out the ball. (the ball is then trapped in the washer, get it?) Flip over the lock bar and lay the ball back in and tap gently. If you want to be extra careful, lay some white paper under where you are working. If the ball is dropped, it will be easier to find.
**STR from these forums has a nice idea about setting (tapping) the detent ball to the right depth. He uses the washer that is used in the knife. Lays that over the hole and it should stop your hammer (or hammering device) from driving the ball too far.

*****IT IS EASY TO LOOSE THE BALL******
Hope this helps.