And so it begins.... (My adventures into Alox!)

crackout · **Reply #1140 on:** May 19, 2013, 02:26:59 PM

After over a month it finally arrived. My Danish Cadet with old school scissors modded by the very Syph.

Props Robert, you do some fine modding!

papercut · **Reply #1141 on:** May 19, 2013, 02:50:04 PM

You should have included installation in the purchases price, but I guess that is part of the fun. :p

Also, if Syph really is getting out of the 84 game, I can heartily recommend PTRSAk for 84 alox with wenger tools (and Vic tools too). He did a bang up job on 2 cadets for me. The list of modders seems to be rather dynamic!

crackout · **Reply #1142 on:** May 19, 2013, 02:54:39 PM

I could have peened it myself, but I wanted a 84mm threaded pivot knife so I gave Robert a go.

enki_ck · **Reply #1143 on:** May 22, 2013, 09:06:57 PM

I just had a thought that you might be able to utilize. Making a locking SAK in the style of those old French shepherd's knives and Navajas with a pull ring.

I'm not sure you're familiar with these. They use the lock back style mechanism to lock the blade in place when open but don't have the part that you have to push to open the lock. Instead they use a split ring or sorts to pull the backspring up to release the blade.

Basically it would require one of your custom backsprings and a slight alteration of the stock blade pivot area.

(one of my famous MS Paint masterpieces

)

What do you think? Possible?

Syph007 · **Reply #1144 on:** May 22, 2013, 11:16:39 PM

Oh for sure that's doable. Interesting idea!

Syph007 · **Reply #1145 on:** May 24, 2013, 06:02:53 PM

FINALLY, after 3 failed hard anodize attempts I have red hard anodized scales and liners again!

I did a mirror polish on the edges and the crosses and engraving plates and that did the trick this time. Previous attempts the red wasn't taking on some spots and it was getting really frustrating. So, for all those waiting on my red parts, I finally have them again!

The liners turned out really nice as well. Todays build with be black oxide tools with red liners, so it should be a nice look.

And here is the result of the experment of, can I hard anodize the regular cellidor cheap mystery grade of Al... kind of!

They mostly turned out right, except this one looks like it got some viral outbreak. I suspect the alum boiled through a coating on this liner of some sort. If I surface sanded it before anodize, that should have prevented the issue.

Cheers!

Syph007 · **Reply #1146 on:** May 25, 2013, 12:18:30 AM

I deployed a set of red scales on a farmer. I still love the read and shiny brass look.

MadPlumbarian · **Reply #1147 on:** May 25, 2013, 12:45:20 AM

Quote from: Syph007 on May 25, 2013, 12:18:30 AM

I deployed a set of red scales on a farmer. I still love the read and shiny brass look.

Love it!

JR

derekmac · **Reply #1148 on:** May 25, 2013, 01:17:10 AM

Oooooh, those look great!

Sent from my HTC One using Tapatalk 2

frjack · **Reply #1149 on:** May 25, 2013, 05:51:36 AM

Quote from: Syph007 on May 25, 2013, 12:18:30 AM

I deployed a set of red scales on a farmer. I still love the read and shiny brass look.

That is a really handsome knife. Good work, chap!

Sent from my Nexus S

Syph007 · **Reply #1150 on:** May 25, 2013, 09:00:47 PM

Here's a new combination that I put together last night.

This is the first time Ive used the OD green cerakote. This one has hard anodized red liners and black oxide tools. I even made the spacer washers for the phillips out of 0.030" nylatron (which is black) to blend in nicely.

SAKs look best when photographed outdoors in the sun!

HeXeY · **Reply #1151 on:** May 25, 2013, 10:07:35 PM

nuphoria · **Reply #1152 on:** May 26, 2013, 02:32:12 AM

Very nice indeed - love to the toolset too

frjack · **Reply #1153 on:** May 26, 2013, 05:04:18 AM

That is really cool! I'd love one like that, but I doubt I could afford one. I'll just have to be content with the photos. ;-)

Sent from my Nexus S using Tapatalk 2

Syph007 · **Reply #1154 on:** May 27, 2013, 06:59:34 PM

I've been using up alot of the 1/8 pivots and only buying a few at a time, so I figured I should see about a larger order. Knifekits gave me a deal on 200 units. They just showed up today.

Parts porn!

And I had to count them to see if I really got 200.. it was 203! Im sure they just count by weight and toss in a few extra to make sure.

sawman · **Reply #1155 on:** May 27, 2013, 07:56:43 PM

Wow 203!! That's just enough spares to make me a free modded Pioneer

nuphoria · **Reply #1156 on:** May 27, 2013, 08:26:08 PM

I would have counted them too. I wouldn't have been able to help myself

Marius · **Reply #1157 on:** May 31, 2013, 03:37:38 PM

Marius · **Reply #1158 on:** May 31, 2013, 03:40:05 PM

Cannot stop to quote this beautiful image:

Syph007 · **Reply #1159 on:** May 31, 2013, 04:12:58 PM

Just wanted to share some info I got from my electroplater on proper concentrations of sodium hydroxide solution to use for stripping. I was using too weak of one and it was taking about 15 minutes and not all the red of the shield was coming off.. well turns out when you mix the right levels it takes 10 seconds! and all the red of the shield comes off perfect, with no pitting on the Al. I just made some of the nicest stripped scales in all of 15 minutes work!!!

The secret formula is 30g NaOH crystals to 100ml water. Warm to 50C and that reaction takes right off! I was so impressed, this should really help the process be consistent. Previously I was just dumping what looked like a good amount in, but it turns out I was using far too little. So I made of a half liter and put in 150g, and it was perfect!

Public service announcement... do not try this at home without alot of precautions, as the solution can flash boil up on you. Im a chemist by formal eduction so Im used to this work. But still I wear FULL protection gear, full facemask, have buckets of water on hand, and acid to neutralize, AND I do this outdoors and the fumes are severe. The left over solution also needs to be neutralized, dont pour down a drain!

My 25 yr old self would agree!

Things would be easy if I still had lab access. I could do elemental analysis on materials, and have a fume hood for this work... oh well that was 15 years ago!

enki_ck · **Reply #1160 on:** May 31, 2013, 07:04:45 PM

You look very sciency.

Syph007 · **Reply #1161 on:** June 04, 2013, 06:41:19 PM

I think this is the first time I've done red scales with red liners. They look nice though! I did a mirror polish on the backsprings for extra bling.

This one is pretty much a super tinker toolset in alox.