Hi Boys and girls, so here is my first attempt at making a lock back folder. I have really no clue if this has been done right so help and comments a very welcome. I think my first mistake is using the same metal for everything, 01 1/8 thickness ( blade, spring lever, sides and spring base. As it stands right now its a solid lock, the spring I used a piece of a old hand saw. I dint use a downloadable template for this ( probably a other mistake ) , decided to hand draw it myself. still want to refine the style and bring down the bulkiness . I am considering bolsters and wood scales but worries that it gona be huge in the hand …. Are washer spacers on ether side of the blade a must? or can I do without. Tried it and it creates a gap. thank you for looking
That looks really good. I wouldn't worry about the bulkiness. The main thing is to get the mechanics right. You can easily find ways to cut down the size in later versions. Washers are helpful for smoothing the action. The teflon ones are very thin, though I haven't found them very long lasting. You can also take a little off each side of the pivot area, which gives you a little more leeway when you peen the pivot pin. For ultimate smooth action, you can use a bearing or bushing.
Thank you for the info! now do I have to heat treat the locking arm as well? I am assuming yes to prevent pre mature wear. I will be redoing the sides using 330 stainless using a thinner gage. I hate only having weekends to work on this, find myself constantly thinking about this project at work.
It's good to know that I am not the only one. “One person with passion is better than forty people merely interested.” ― E.M. Forster
Yes, you want to heat treat the locking arm. Also for your spring, music wire is a cheap and easy alternative.
Music wire is also called Piano wire. It has great tensile strength, can be bent to a shape, and makes a great spring. You can find it at most hobby shops, where it's used in RC model builds and such.
So this weekend, everything was going perfect until....I did the assembly. I pined all of it together and once all done...noting would work , is there a trick to it? do I need to place a temporary spacers and remove it after in order for it not to be so tight? or did I do it all wrong?
Welcome to making folders. How exactly didn't it work? It wouldn't open? It didn't lock? It didn't unlock?
Thank you , and its all of the above...blade would barely come out, the lock was stuck and forced it to unlock so guessing peened to tight?
That's probably it. There's a tap or two difference between too loose, just right, and too tight. Put a few drops of oil (cutting oil, if you have it) into the pivot and just work it. After a while, it will start to free up. Keep working it until the action is acceptable.
You know I could just kick myself right now... I drilled out all the pins already and the holes are now a bit bigger so now got to find different size rods.
One of the most important pins is the pivot for the lock arm. If you make that a hidden pin, it doesn't have to be peened. A piece cut off the shaft of a worn out drill bit works great for that.
I have only ever attempted one folder. It was not pretty, let's leave it at that. All I can offer is encouragement. So, hang in there bud. If you're anything like me you'll learn more mistakes and from all the things you have do and do over.
Well here it is completed....first one, but not the last...now that I have learn tons of stuff and still have tons more to learn I really enjoyed the challenge! Hope you guys like it. critics are very welcome . The blade had such a cool pattern on it after heat treat I decided to leave it. scales are leopard wood and all steel is 01 cheers
Thank you Dan, Yes it is...I have spruced up the last one and so far just loving it. already started on the second one.
