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Thread: Bolsters - Solder? Pin? Both?

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    Default Bolsters - Solder? Pin? Both?

    Hi all!

    I'm just getting my feet wet with knife making and have a couple blanks ordered from Jantz. I have some wood picked out for scales and know what I'm going to use for the pins, but I am wondering if solder alone would be enough to hold the bolster to the knife blank or is a pin or two NEEDED to keep the bolster secured to the blank through the life of the knife? The reason I ask is that I don't have much experience drilling into steel (I work mostly with wood) and whenever I try, I always break bits. Therefore, if solder alone would suffice, that is what I'll do.

    Speaking of solder, would plumbing solder or electronics type solder work for this?

    Thanks a lot!

    Kyle


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    Senior Member kyratshooter's Avatar
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    You need better bits!

    Or softer steel.

    If this is your first venture into knife making, and you have not yet mastered the art of drilling a hole in metal, perhaps you should choose designs that do not require a bolster, metal to metal fitting, or heating the blade and ruining the temper while soldering.

    Most people's first knife attempts are on the simple side just to develop a learning curve.

    And there are knife supply firms that offer blade blanks with all the holes predrilled, just to make things easier.

    http://www.texasknife.com/vcom/index.php?cPath=119
    Last edited by kyratshooter; 08-12-2014 at 12:23 PM.
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    Super Moderator crashdive123's Avatar
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    Two individual bolsters soldered onto a knife will not work, let alone hold up. They must be pinned, not soldered. Now, if we are talking stick tang, soldering alone will work.

    If you post a picture or describe in a little more detail what you are trying to accomplish we might be able to help more.
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    Sorry if I was a bit unclear. The following picture is not my own, it is compliments of "blackfinger", another member here. I just saw this picture and this is about all I'm looking to do with the bolster (I think).image.jpg.
    Last edited by lazyMlazyK; 08-12-2014 at 05:38 PM.

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    Super Moderator crashdive123's Avatar
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    Then - yep - they have to be pinned.
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    I have to ask, you're using drill bits made for metal right? I haven't drilled through hardened steel, but I have had to 1" holes through steel I-beams, so I'm not sure how difficult it is to drill a small hole through 1/8-1/4 inch hardened steel, but it can't be all that much harder than drilling 1" hole through 1/2" steel.

    Get a steel punch to set your starting point, a little oil, and then apply steady pressure, just enough that you're getting some action. It can be a slow process. Use clamp to hold your knife blank in place on a work bench as you drill.

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    Super Moderator crashdive123's Avatar
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    If you are drilling through hardened steel you will need to either soften the steel or use carbide bits.
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    if you are buying blanks from Jantz just buy them already drilled they will even send you the pins and bolster components. Just a thought.
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    Quote Originally Posted by randallss7 View Post
    if you are buying blanks from Jantz just buy them already drilled they will even send you the pins and bolster components. Just a thought.
    +1 on this.
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