Tehcnical question for STR

J

jag-engr

Joined
Dec 21, 2006
Messages
341
STR,

How hard is FRN to cut?

I'm considering trying to cut two grooves into the FRN handle of my ZDP-189 Caly Jr on each side of the lanyard hole to install a Caly3-style wire clip.:eek:

I'm sure you've tried cutting FRN at some point in your career and I was just wondering if you had any insights. I'd probably be using a dremel and a small blade.
 
Its actually very easy to cut and drill but very hard to finish to try to match the factory one. Since yours won't be seen if you make lines to recesss a clip in I'm sure it will be fine providing you can get the lines straight.

The difficult part about cutting it is that if it heats up it can melt so be aware of that and take it slow.

I was in the dremmel section at Lowes last night buying separating discs and other small stones I use all the time for Wave mods and cutting screws to length and noticed some neat little cutters that are basically mini circular saw blades. One of these would be ideal for what you are getting ready to do and would work in a dremmel. The ones I saw were about 1/4" to 3/8" diameter. They were just a few dollars also. They'd probably cut fast but I'd be carefull to go slow and not let it get ahead of you or it might dig deeper than you want it to be. They looked to me in the package to be about the right thickness to make a slot for your clip you plan to use also so hopefully you could do it in just one pass. Wal-Mart has these too though and they are probably cheaper there.

I'd probably drill a couple holes like one on the top end of the your line, one middle and one bottom end and to the depth you want and then connect the dots if it were me.

Good luck and hey, post some pics for us when you are done. I'd like to see it.

STR
 
You know I hesitate to tell you this other idea I had because I have never tried it but I think it would probably work.

My idea involved heating up the ends of a paper clip bent to the same dimensions as the clip you wish to install and simply sinking it in in one swift push letting it melt its way down till it looks about right. Then I'd probably pull it back out and do the other side the same way.

I guess you could also do this in one motion with a spare clip or perhaps bend a paper clip the same way and do both at the same time.

I've been asked about doing these obvioulsy but I've never taken the plunge. Also I doubt it would work on Micarta or G10 at all so don't try it with those.

I have lots of spare scraps of FRN to practice on but just have not had much call to worry about it. I do think it would work based on the way I see FRN melt when I cut it on my band saw to get the knives apart before rebuilding one. Also, I've found that FRN holds threads pretty well and you may be able to thread it quite easily to secure a clip that way also if you have the correct threader and a screw for those threads.

Just a thought. But its one of those you enter at your own risk if you catch my drift.:D

STR
 
STR said:
You know I hesitate to tell you this other idea I had because I have never tried it but I think it would probably work.

My idea involved heating up the ends of a paper clip bent to the same dimensions as the clip you wish to install and simply sinking it in in one swift push letting it melt its way down till it looks about right.
Click to expand...

The same bad idea had entered into my head, as well, but I've had some bad experience try to melt other plastic things with paper clips.

I'm sure I can find a cheap zytel knife to try it on, though, ...

...and it would probably be easier if it works...
 
STR,

Do you know if the Caly3 depends on the screw that secures the clip for the function of the locking mechanism. I know that the UKPK uses the clip screw as a pin in the back spring - it should never be completely removed (Well, at least not by most of us).

Can the Caly3 be carried without the clip screw in place?

I've requested a wire clip from Spyderco to try the above-referenced idea, but they are currently out of those clips, and I don't know how long it will take to get more in and then ship one to me. I'm getting anxious to begin experimenting! I figured you have probably broke one down before.
 
What wire clip do you need again. I may have one for a Dodo or perhaps another I'm not sure what they went to.

I owned a CIII for a time but I can't recall if the clip screw did that. I don't think it had anything to do with it but heck if so make a simple plate of some .040 material and screw the screws back in there. I probably have scrap cut offs of titanium that would work for that also.

STR
 
I found this thread comparing the CF Caly3 to the Manix & MiniManix that shows the set-up of the Caly3 clip. The pictures aren't real clear, but I'm sure you'll get the idea.

This thread comparign the Dodo and Yojimbo shows the set-up of the Dodo clip. It seems that the Caly3 and Dodo clip should be just about interchangeable, so if you have either, I'd be interested.

I'd hoped to get a new clip and screw directly from the factory, but I think Spyderco's customer service is bogged down right now. If you have a clip and screw available, I'd like to work something out to acquire them.

Thank you for your help on this.
 
Well I doubt I'll have the screw. Those would most always have to have been reused and sent back with knives when I converted them. I did happen to have two of the left over wire clips from a Dodo or something similar though.

You can acquire one of those for shipping and a small fee but I'll have to look in my shop bins to see if I have a screw or something that can work with it. I will have to charge you for that as well since I am talking about screws from $5.60 barrels that I use in knife making. Let me look around and see what I have first. The other issue in front of you is that you will have to thread for the screw and you'll need a tap. I don't have that and you'd have to buy it. I can most likely tell you the threads of whatever screw and barrel I find but unless you intend to actually install the barrel (not the way I'd do it) you will need to buy a tap at the least and possibly a tap wrench if you don't have it.

STR
 
Well, I went out to the shop. Been a bit under the weather lately with an inner ear infection and head cold and have been off balance a bit and taking cold and flu meds so it kind of put a halt to working for the time being but I got enough of a balance to try this and went out and found a barrel and a screw that work. While there I threaded an 8/32 hole in a piece of scrap FRN I had laying out there from an old rebuild. Didn't even need the wrench to do that. Just drilled a 9/64 size hole in the FRN and threaded that hole with the tap bare handed with no problem at all.

It tightened right down using a 3/32 size hex head allen wrench. So all you'll need is a tap to thread a 9/64 hole and this clip and screw. I'll have to sell you the whole barrel because without the screw the barrel ain't much good to me. Its a $5.65 barrel and screw. I hardly ever use my tap in this size. In fact I think its the first time ever just today but I like knowing I have one. So if you want to borrow it I will mail it to you with the clip and the barrel and screw if you are in the states with the promise that you'll mail the tap back to me or replace it if you lose it or break it.

They are cheap though. Anyway, point is this will work and you can do it easily with what is seen here and a threader for 8/32 size after drilling a pilot hole in a 9/64 size.

STR
 
STR,

Any chance that you have a barrel and screw that can fit inside an 11/64" hole?

I was hoping to put a barrel & screw through the lanyard hole fo my Caly Jr and just melt and/or cut in the grooves for the wire clip to rest in. I did an approxiamte measurement on the lanyard hole of the Caly Jr and it seems to be about 11/64" in diameter.
 
The barrel to this screw fits exactly perfect in the lanyard hole of the Jess Horn model shown in that pic. The barrel measures .195-.196 diameter and has a 5/16 diameter head on the screw and non screw end.

They also sell a 3/16 with 1/4" head in a 6/32 thread. If your hole is 11/64 it seems a simple matter to buy a drill bit and make the hole either a 3/16 for one of those barrels using a 1/4" drill to recess the head on the non screw side and simply mark and then grind down any excess barrel sticking out you don't need so you can tighten the screw down.

I am fairly sure this 3/16 barrel and 1/4" head will work equally well and if not its no big deal to stick a washer under the screw to give it a bigger head to hold the clip down. Or you could buy a #9 drill and use the one I was talking about earlier. Smaller would be better though if you ask me. It allows for more margin of error on the sides for the clip mount. Hard to explain but trust me.


STR
 
I tested this one in the .195 size in the CJ and it does not fit. The 3/16 is close but no cigar. It would be a simple matter of simply enlarging that hole though and it can handle that no problem. Then the 3/16 barrel sold by Jantz supply would simply slide right through it no problem. All you need in that case is a 3/16 order #HP625 from Jantz and it will work. Its like $2.95 for the barrel and probably if you talk sweet to one of the gals there they will stick that in a 1st class envelope for you and not charge the $6.95 shipping or whatever it is. 1800-351-8900

STR
 
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