trying to make a Bali

[drano]

well im trying to make a bali and i was wondering if any of you knew any readily and easily accessable material i could use for tang pins.

i was thinking about using a 6d nail but i really dont know much about it.
its my first time making a bali.

 

[howiesatwork]

A Balisong has a tang?

 

[Ripper]

Most hardware and home improvement stores carry steel or brass rods that might be a better choice for pin material than the nails you mentioned. Have you seen this tutorial
Building a No Tang Pin, Sandwich Constructed Balisong?
Regards,
Greg

 

[Hengelo_77]

Doesn't the pin need to be hardened? Won't it wear out to soon if it isn't?

 

[canbkr]

for the pivot pins i've used 1/8" brass,stainless and nickel/silver rod,I've found that all seem to work well,as long as you keep the knife oiled they seem to last quite a while.be carefull not to peen the pins to tightly as it's a pain to loosen the pivot points afterwards.the other alternative is to order a few 1/8" or 3/16" barrel pivots used on folders,they work very well and can easily be adjusted for tightness at the pivot point (also last considerably longer and make the knife so it can be dissassembled for cleaning etc.,something to think about).As for stop pins it's easier to make the knife with a zen pin style rather than trying to press the pins into the blade and hope that they stay put or are centered properly.Good luck with the project and let me know if you need any pointers on assembly etc. with the knife

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

more info on www.knifehow.com

 

[Darrel Ralph]

Sir,
The tang pins need to be hardend.
Please see www.knifekits.com.
Buy a Typhoon bali kit and use it as a guide for making your first bali. It is a nice kit. This kit will save you tons of frustration.

 

[drano]

for the pivot pins i've used 1/8" brass,stainless and nickel/silver rod,I've found that all seem to work well...the other alternative is to order a few 1/8" or 3/16" barrel pivots used on folders...As for stop pins it's easier to make the knife with a zen pin style...Good luck with the project and let me know if you need any pointers on assembly etc. with the knife

thanks for the offer, i may call on you.

its a coincidence that you mention all these things.

yesterday before i posted i was at Home Depot and after i looked at the nails i saw the various rod stock but again worried about whether they could be hardend.

as for zen pins i also mulled over that idea, but i really diddnt want a "waist" in the blade for this knife.

and after i posted i was thinking about ditiching the pin construction for some barrel pivots from Mr. Ralph's knifekits site. cuz i need to buy washers anyways.

Sir,
The tang pins need to be hardend.
Please see www.knifekits.com.
Buy a Typhoon bali kit and use it as a guide for making your first bali. It is a nice kit. This kit will save you tons of frustration.

Mr. Ralph, im a fan of your work. and also know your knifekits site like the back of my hand
i've already got a typhoon and i love it.

ive already decided to use the spare parts kit for the typhoon.

as for the stop pins, do you guys have any pin stock on knifekits that are suitable? i diddnt know whether the 416 stock could be hardend.

haha, fustration... in all my ignorance about steels, i'm this close to giving up my search and start trying to rip apart an old drill bit for stop pins.

 

[Darrel Ralph]

Drano,
Zen pins are pretty cool but Like you the notches are not attractive to me.
I always fear the weak point in the blade also.
I think the Typhoon will get you fixed up.

 

[canbkr]

thanks for the offer, i may call on you.

its a coincidence that you mention all these things.

yesterday before i posted i was at Home Depot and after i looked at the nails i saw the various rod stock but again worried about whether they could be hardend.

as for zen pins i also mulled over that idea, but i really diddnt want a "waist" in the blade for this knife.

and after i posted i was thinking about ditiching the pin construction for some barrel pivots from Mr. Ralph's knifekits site. cuz i need to buy washers anyways.


Your welcome,any help you need,just drop me a note and i'll walk you through it