Tapping into G10 and only G10 for screws.

nccole

nccole

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Jun 2, 2011
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I have read a little about this subject, and there are some differing opinions on whether it is a good idea or not. Specifically, I am considering converting a Military to tip up (at least getting an STR low rider for tip down factory). Due to strong opinions on both sides, I decided to do some experimenting on a cheap Chinese G10 knife. The results surprised me a little bit, and I am leaning towards trying it.

The first thing I did was drill and tap two holes for a Kershaw Skyline factory clip. I will be using a three hole clip on my Military which I feel like the more holes the better.

I tightened it down and slid it in and out of my pocket. It felt normal and I thought so far good. I did some side to side wiggle simulating a clip getting snagged and it felt solid. Then, I took one screw out and backed the remaining screw out a turn or two. This is where it got good. I took the clip and pryed and twisted until I pulled the clip off. How it failed surprised me. The clip may have plastically deformed a bit, hard to tell. The tapped hole was messed up but the screw was noticeably (hopefully so in the pictures) bent.



Somewhat pleased, I decided to mount a three hole (Kershaw R.A.M.) clip perpendicular to the knife next. I mounted it this way so I could really get some leverage on it. I bent the clip up and down, and it was still rock solid. I then got some side to side leverage on it and got a bit of play out of it. I tightened it up and had no wiggle initially, then got it to wiggle again and when I tried to tighten it I stripped the screw head (1? mm allen)

I realize Pocket time in and out is different than what I did, but I put it through some abuse, and it fared very well. Plus, this was slightly thinner (sorry not getting my calipers out in the garage) presumably inferior Chinese G10 than the Military's G10. From my experience with aftermarket clips that are primarily Ti, the clip will fail (get bent out of shape) before the G10 failed in my testing.

Not sure I am still going to do it to my brand new CRUWEAR Military, but the stock clip arrangement has got to go. I figure if it does wear out over time, I can mill out the back side and add a steel plate tapped and use the same G10 holes, and you would never know they were tapped initially.
 
G-10 fiberglass laminate is not meant to hold machine screws of the #2X56TPI variety. The threads are shallow and close together. Get a 2X56 Helicoil kit along with an assortment of inserts. Insert sizes are expressed as a multiple of the diameter. The stainless steel coils will last longer than the knife, and you can disassemble and reassemble with impunity.View attachment 389925
 
tiguy7 said:
G-10 fiberglass laminate is not meant to hold machine screws of the #2X56TPI variety. The threads are shallow and close together. Get a 2X56 Helicoil kit along with an assortment of inserts. Insert sizes are expressed as a multiple of the diameter. The stainless steel coils will last longer than the knife, and you can disassemble and reassemble with impunity.View attachment 389925
Click to expand...
My exact thoughts... helicoils are tbe shiz!!
 
I will probably Helicoil it, but I am very surprised how well it fared.
 
Once upon a time, I countersunk three 2-56 stainless nuts on the backside of the G10 scale after drilling the clip pilot holes for the screws on a Rekat Sifu. Worked like a charm. The trick is using the right bit to cut to the right depth without going too far into the scale but allowing the nuts to be properly countersunk. Then you'll have to cut or grind the screws to length also.

Prof.
 
That site did not have #2-56 size. What do you guys think about this? The press fit expansion for plastics one. Not helicoil one. Looks to require no special tooling. http://www.mcmaster.com/#standard-threaded-inserts/=p8z5fp Qty 10 for $6 press fit, screws going in lock them in place, seems like a good solution.

Edit to add: The Military's handle thickness is .140" these inserts are .156" I suppose I could insert it and file it flush from the inside.
 
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Got them in. I tested them out in that test knife. I also took two screws out of the Kershaw clip and tried to rip the screw out, and snapped the clip. I still say these screws in G10 is plenty strong. Longevity of screws in and out is another question which is why I decided to go the insert route.

Broken clip, and severity of bend before it broke. The screw did not come out, and the threads held strong. Very impressed with G10.



Tryout of inserts on practice knife. I only did two to save my inserts.


Military completed, I am very pleased with the results, it looks very clean (not the knife, that thing needs a bath:D) and stock. I hope the inserts hold up.



 
nice! You are spot on about G-10. It's the removal and replacement of screws that the problem.
 
It looks like you used the regular (bottom) slotted w/flange? I've been looking at different brands of similar threaded inserts recently so thank you for the close up installed pics. Did they work as well as you hoped or now that you look back would you have rather done something else?
 
Cereal_killer said:
It looks like you used the regular (bottom) slotted w/flange? I've been looking at different brands of similar threaded inserts recently so thank you for the close up installed pics. Did they work as well as you hoped or now that you look back would you have rather done something else?
Click to expand...

I used the ones that don't require a special tool. The "Press-Fit Expansion Inserts for Plastics." I hope they are good enough to hold. I was trying not to spend $70 for a tool to do one knife now, maybe a few more. I am sure some of the others would provide a more secure anchor in G10. Maybe I will take the two in my test knife and anchor a clip to it and yank on it to see what happens. I did also drop some super glue on the portion of the insert that spreads when the screw is inserted. I could definitely feel the spreading action.
 
Cool, I found those exact ones in-stock at my local fastenall and I've got a old CRKT drifter I've wanted to convert to tip-up, I'm gonna give them a try tomorrow or Tuesday, thanks for doin the foot work finding and testing them!
 
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