thumb discs - how?

jaegar

jaegar

Joined
Nov 5, 2004
Messages
280
Hi,
I'm working on my own linerlock right now and I'd like to put a thumb disc on it. I can't decide what type of metal to use on the disc, but that shouldn't be too hard. I can easily fashion a circle out of any sort of metal, my problem comes in putting some sort of checkering on the disc.
An example:
bitmkg.jpg

This is one of ray roger's knives...

How is it made?
The only two ideas I have are: 1.) use a triangle (not sure of the right term) file, and guestimate with spacing, or 2.) attempt it with a checkering file, but since it's round this won't work well.

Thanks for the help.
-Brian-

P.S. Mr Robinson- I finally ordered the stuff I need. You should be seeing a new barlow in the next month or so.
 
Brian, the "checkering" is done on a metal lathe using a knurling tool.

That is easy to do if you have a metal lathe and the proper tools.

I use a lot of thumb disks on my blades. I used to buy them by the dozen from Halpern Titanium, but they no longer have them. I don't know of anyone who sells them now.

Actually, the knurling isn't necessary at all. It's just for looks.

Make one out of stainless steel, rough saw it to shape, mount it on a screw in your drill press, then file it to shape.

Neato after polishing an a deburring wheel. :p

Or better yet, I'll make you one for $500.00. :D
 
LOL! :eek: :D
I'll take 10 gross...not! :p

Yeah, knurling is the word...

I'm guessing the $500 is so you can buy yourself a lathe huh? ;)

Any possibility of making one by hand? Or out of the question?
Thanks,
~Brian
 
Well, you could find a tool in the right diameter, with checkering on the handle, then cut a disk out of it...
 
jaegar said:
LOL! :eek: :D
I'll take 10 gross...not! :p

Yeah, knurling is the word...

I'm guessing the $500 is so you can buy yourself a lathe huh? ;)

Any possibility of making one by hand? Or out of the question?
Thanks,
~Brian
Click to expand...

I just told you how to make one by hand. :rolleyes:

If you mean knurling by hand, no, I don't know of a way to do that unless you're an experienced engraver.

As for a lathe, I have all I need. Thank God.

No, the $500.00 covers my labor to turn a piece to size, knurl it, drill and counterbore for the screw, then part it off the bar and deburr it.

That would take me 10 or 15 minutes.

The thumb disks sold for knives are made on automatic lathes that spit out a disk in about 30 seconds. They are made in batches of hundreds or thousands at a time.

If you're really, really nice to this old man, I might consider making a few for you.

What size do you want? 3/8"? 5/16"? Are you going to make an inlet in the blade so the top of the disk is flush with the spine? that's the correct way to do it.

Google thumb disks and if you don't find any for sale, let me know and I'll make you a few as an early Christmas present. :p
 
I have a thumb disc you can have if you want it. It doesn't have a screw but I'm sure you can run one of those down or redrill the hole if need be.

If you want it email or PM me your address and I'll mail it to you N/C.

Steve

EDIT: The hole in the disc now is for a 2-56 size screw. Maybe you can use this one to clone your own or trace off a pattern from or something. I have had it in one of my bins for years and never used it. I don't even recall where I got it to be honest.
 
Update:

Found some at sheffield supply. They're for $8.50/10.

I'll get some there...

Thanks for the help Mr. Robinson, I thought the your post was more tongue-in-cheek, sorry for any out of place bantering :o
Yes, knurling by hand is what I meant, I can already make a smooth one.
I appreciate the offer to make some for me...you already gave me too much though...thanks again for the stuff, it's already come in handy :)

I will be putting a small inlet in the top of the blade. Seeing as I don't have a mill, It will probably be done with files/what not, but it will have an inlet.

Thanks for the offer STR- 2-56 is probably a little big for this blade, seeing as it's only 1/8" thick.

Howies at work... great Idea...good out of the box thinking. For this time I'm going to buy the ones at sheffield. If I ever find a small tool the right size for cheaper though, I'll do that.

Thanks again to everyone...
-Brian-
 
Brian, the price was tongue in cheek.

When I was in the 3rd grade about 100 years ago my teacher told me I had a wry sense of humor. She was exactly right, and it's gotten me into trouble ever since. Most people can't tell when I'm kidding. Not even my wife.

Good info about Sheffields. I'd rather buy them for that price than make them myself.
 
If all else fails, email me and I'll knurl you some aluminium rod. Then you can cut however many pieces you need from that. Gratis.
 
I'm still going to get them at sheffields, but the offer for aluminum brought up another question...

My Dad said something about when you put aluminum (not anodized, plain) next to steel, it creates some sort of reaction and over time causes the two to corrode? That is if the aluminum is not anodized....
Is that true?
 
You are talking about galvanic corrosion. It can happen when two dissimilar metals come into contact with each other for prolonged periods of time, particularly at friction areas. I was even warned about this happening with a titanium pivot pin I made to put in stainless liners through a stainless blade. (Halpern) He told me that in salt water it could bring about galvanic corrosion if not maintained. Of course the ti would survive but the stainless would suffer from the contact apparently.
 
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