Originally posted by blade_420
The latch sucks. This might be a good latchless bali project.
I think that is a really great idea Dude.
That was a great, In-Depth Review Chuck. That's why we wuv you!
I have the following comments and ideas.
Take the Latchless idea and make that a reality. Take a Dremel and get rid of the Budweiser [Beer Can] Latch.
Get some Micarta [Chuck's Idea] and pop those Bakelite Wannabe inserts out, cut, sculpt and fit Micarta to it.
Cut and fit a Kick
inside the handle and epoxy it in place. Pressure fit and epoxy should hold it there forever. That eliminates that problem if it is done right. Depending on how much material you can obtain from the latch you have cut off, you might already have the material to do it!
Take the smaller, conical grinding stones utilized for the Dremel, and grind some Pockets on it. That should not be too hard to do either.
I don't think I could get them
perfect, but maybe someone can. In any event, it would relieve some stress.
So, now you have in the Immortal Words of SnipahBooooye...a "FrankenBali."
Maybe we should call it "General Tso's Bali."
Just for uniformity [maybe I'm anal, I dunno] you could custom cut, pressure fit and epoxy a small piece of Aluminum or Mild Steel into the space taken by the removal of the latch.
Just to block the end off.
Damn, I burned my last Dremel up doing projects over ten years ago.
Looks like it is time to invest in another one and buy a couple of these SCUDs.