Thong Holes

R

rookie

Joined
Jan 16, 2000
Messages
60
Is there any thig special to know or that i need to know before i attempt to incorporate a thong hole into a handle. Also how do you put the bevel on the outsides ? Do you grind it or peen it?

somebody throw me a rope!!!!!


rookie
 
First thing you need to decide is what diameter tube you are going to use. I use 2 different tubes one 1/4" with a 1/6" hole and one 1/3" with 1/4" hole.
Second thing you need to know is what handlematerial is going to be used. If its natural(woods,ivory etc) you need some space from the tonghole to the outline so cracking will not happen. I would say minimum 1/5 " of space for most materials. If you use micarta,carbonfiber or G10 less is needed since it wont crack. I glue mine in as with my pins. Be carefull not to mess up the inside with glue. I fill it up with paper. Then when the glue has set I grind it flush and camfer the inside edges. (I dont know the english word for the tool used)
hope this helps

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Jens Anso, ansoknives@hotmail.com
(check out my homepage)
home6.inet.tele.dk/ansoe/ansoknives




[This message has been edited by ansoknive (edited 01-20-2000).]
 
After you epoxy your handle and thong hole, use a que-tip to clean out any stray chips and epoxy in the thong hole. It's hard to clean it out after the epoxy hardens.

Carl
 
one thing i found early on was that if i drill the thong hole thru from the hole in the handle...while i am drilling the pin holes...if one side is the slightest bit off square the thong hole material will either get bent trying to pound it thru two holes that dont line up...or i will break off a big chunck of the knife handle with the thong material...i hope what i have said is clear....you need a perfectly straight hole thru both pieces of the handle to get a nice fit.....i use some millimeter drill...dont remember the number but its equivalent to .252...but i dont drill it until after i stick the handle on and the epoxy dries. when i am drilling the pin holes i drill one in one side of the handle as a center hole for the thong thats going in later...also drill the handle hole much larger that the thong hole so no worries if im not perfectly centered with the small hole....then when the epoxys dry i take the .252 drill and go thru both sides of the handle all at once. you can do this when you are epoxying everything together...but ive found that the thong hole liner material is in the way for my back clamp and so i do it this way.. pretty long and drawn out explaination for a very simple chore...sorry if its confusing.
i dont bevel the outside..just sand it flush. but you need a very nice fit for this way to look nice.
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http://www.mayoknives.com




[This message has been edited by tom mayo (edited 01-20-2000).]
 
I use thong holes in all my knives. I use a size F drill bit (.257). Works great. Invisible fit, even on ivory.

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Jerry Hossom
knifemaker
www.hossom.com


 
I chamfer the inside of the thong hole liner (I'm assuming you're using metal) with a chamfering tool used by handloaders to chamfer the inside of cartridge case necks. This tool is designed for precisely this purpose and works perfectly. It's inexpensive and is available from just about all manufacturers of reloading equipment: Lyman, RCBS, Pacific, etc.
 
I've been using a common countersink in the drill press and rotating the chuck by hand to avoid chattering - that champfering tool sounds like a much better way to go. I'm a handloader and have a couple lying around and never thought of using one. Thanks.
Ron
 
A good way to reinforce the epoxy is to expand the ends of the tubing in the same maner as the pins. To do that just get a good punch thats diameter is a little bigger than your thong hole tubing, but tapers to a point smaller than the hole in the tubing. Put the point down inside the hole and give it a few taps with a hammer. Do that on both sides and the tubing should stay in on its own. Epoxy is still a good idea since it will seal out any moisture .

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Fix it right the first time, use Baling Wire !
 
i like that idea, where can i find one of those punches on line, do you think i could use the dead center from my lathe.
 
It doesn't have to be anything special. A nail setting punch will work if its the right size or any kind of machine punch. Just check your suppliers for punches. I bet that mc master carr place you told us about earlier has them. It might work better if you buff the outside of the punch some so tht the tubing can move easier. Kind of like having the head of you ball peen hamer good and smooth so the pin material expands better. Another thing to look at are line up tools. They say not to use them as punches becasue they will break, but they are strong enough for expanding the tubing. Look through automotive stores too, they use that stuff a lot line up screw holes on moving peices and drive out broken bolts and screws.

------------------
Fix it right the first time, use Baling Wire !
 
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