Sodbuster modification questions

TXoutback

TXoutback

Joined
Apr 17, 2010
Messages
120
I've got an urge to modify my Case soddy jr, and after spending a few weeks scouring the internet for all the info I could find, I've noticed that no threads ever get around to mentioning the diameter of the cutlery rivet that serves as a pivot, or the diameter of the other pins.

The closest guess I've seen is 3/16" for the pivot and 3/32 for the pins.

I'd like to be able to explore my options before I break the knife open... does anybody know if those measurements are correct?

Thanks for lookin
 
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3/16" seems about right for the pivot. To be honest, I don't usually note pin sizes down, I just match them as I am working on things. If things don't match exactly (and that happens a lot), I work a larger pin down to size.

Wish I could be more help, sorry.
 
Not to disagree with Glenn (who does great work and has far more experience!!), but I can tell you for certain it is not 3/16 because that is way too large for that particular pivot. I only know this from taking similar knife apart around Christmas time, and I (think) it was either 3/32 or 5/64 for the pivot and rocker pin with the scale pins being 1/16. Similar to what Glenn stated, you often have to shave a pin to get a correct fit:(
The pin sizes that I use most frequently for traditional folders are 3/32, 2mm, 1.8mm, and 1/16, and all of those sizes are available at Jantz.


Good luck!
 
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As I remember it, the pivot on the Case sodbuster and jr I've done were between 5/32" and 3/16". I had to spin down a 3/16" brass rod to fit in one I did. Another I went the easier route (with solid carbide burrs) and enlarged the hole in the blade to fit the pin.

It's a HUGE hole in the blade considering the size of the knife.

Other pins, rocker and tail end were 3/32" as I recall. Maybe 1/8" but I doubt it. You should be able to measure these just fine on the assembled knife though.
 
I found some time, so I dove in on the disassembly of the yellow CV sodbuster jr.

After punching a centering hole, I used a 5/32" bit on a drill press to drill just enough until the rivet head came free. I was close to making a special clamp but decided to try just holding it and going slow. No troubles.

1-drill.jpg


Then I used a small hammer and pin punch to tap out the rivet
2-removed-pivot.jpg


Now I want to clean up the blade (it's abused) and reassemble it using the pivot bolt from an old leatherman.

3-sidekick-pivot.jpg


The measurements I got from the sodbuster are, nominally:
  • Pivot hole in blade: 11/64"
  • Brass pivot rivet shaft: 5/32" (before pressing expansion)
  • Brass rivet head: 19/64"
The pivot has enough play in the blade hole to rock diagonally a little. The holes on the delrin were possibly the original 5/32" size too, as they fit snug. I haven't yet figured out the hole size on the brass liners.

The pivot bolt from the leatherman is a full 3/16". I haven't found a good way to chuck it up for spinning it down to 11/64 yet. I think if I find a long screw to go in it, then that will work. I could enlarge the blade pivot and liner holes to 3/16" instead... not sure what's best yet.
 
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