Multitool.org Forum
Tool Talk => Swiss Army Knights Forum => Topic started by: J-sews on December 31, 2006, 05:54:38 AM
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Okay, I'm taking the plunge. I ordered two different belt clips from KnifeKits.com (http://www.knifekits.com/store/s-pages/kk_store_1mainframe.htm?kk_products_parts_main.htm~smain), with the intention of installing one of them on a Spirit. I couldn't decide between the #3 style or the #8 style though, so I ordered both.
So far I think I might prefer the #8, but I guess I'll decide once they both arrive. Which one do you guys like better?
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Here's a mock-up of what the #8 would look like. (I think the stainless steel color will match the Spirit a lot better than it does in my picture.)
~Bob
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Personally, I like the #8.
Although, you shouldn't have said anything... if you pull this off I'll be begging for you to put a clip on mine :)
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That looks great! I'll anxiously await your results.
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I like #8 too. You have to let us know how everything turns out. A pocket clip on a Spirit would be great.
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What kind of equipment will you use to drill the holes in your Spirit?
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Ahhh, one of the very very very few advantages to working at a machine shop: I can stay after hours and use a Bridgeport milling machine. I'll just be using it as a drill press to drill and tap the screw holes.
My biggest concern (a possibility that Roger/swissbianco raised) is that the Spirit handles may be heat treated, making the metal too hard for tapping such a small thread. I won't know until I try it.
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that happens sometimes as i try to modd - nada - heattreated!
do they have an cnc mill?
good luck!
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Wouldn't heat treating the handles be counter productive? I would think you would want a bit softer steel there to allow some flax and shock absorbtion rather than hardness?
Def
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I'm fairly sure that the handle material itself is not hard; my Spirit has a couple of light scratches here and there, which would not occur on hardened steel.
However, directly beneath where I want to drill and tap for the belt clip, there is a bracket that strengthens the plier pivot. This same bracket has the funny-shaped hole for mounting the corkscrew accessory, as well as providing a back spring for the plier head. I'll have to drill and tap through this bracket too. No telling how tough it will be.
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Ahhh, one of the very very very few advantages to working at a machine shop: I can stay after hours and use a Bridgeport milling machine...
There will be multitool.org members lining up outside your workplace just before the end of your next shift. I'm first. :)
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However, directly beneath where I want to drill and tap for the belt clip, there is a bracket that strengthens the plier pivot. This same bracket has the funny-shaped hole for mounting the corkscrew accessory, as well as providing a back spring for the plier head. I'll have to drill and tap through this bracket too. No telling how tough it will be.
On my Spirit these brackets have some movement/ play in them . It maybe a good idea to check yours for this because if the screw goes through the handle and bracket and the bracket wants to move when you open and close the pliers then the screws could get damaged . The way to check is to open one handle and hold it in your hand with your thumb ontop of the corkscrew hole then rock the handle as if you were going to close it and open it .On mine the spring on both handles has a small amout of play , i dont mean the spring bending to keep the pressure on the pliers it actually moves up and down and rocks on the pivot .
Dunc
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its mainly for the privots and lock areas def...havent sutch an tool, cant check.
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On my Spirit these brackets have some movement/ play in them........
Dunc
I see what you mean Dunc. I had not noticed this before. I think this movement is because the bracket is only "anchored" in one spot, by the pivot rivet. Rotation of the bracket is prevented by the lip along the outer edge of the handle, but it still allows for a small amount of movement/play.
I'm thinking that by the time I drill and tap and install three mounting screws through both the handle and the bracket, the connection should be strong enough that the screws will not get damaged. I hope.
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Bracket pictures. (Hard to get a good shot of what I am talking about here, sorry.)
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Just to comfirm , does yours have that play too ? I have asked the question over at SOSAK before but everyone who answered said there was no play in theirs.
Dunc
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Yes, the play is there, but it is very slight. Hardly noticable. I believe - due to the design itself - that this play must be present on all Spirits produced. However, it is so subtle that most folks don't see it.
I probably would not have noticed if you had not mentioned it.
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I see a small movement in the bracket when the pliers lock open. I see it clearest on the side with the saw, watching the small overhang above the saw. I can't see it clearly when watching the small overhang on the side with the file. It's probably just my eyes since I can see the corkscrew attachment flex on both sides.
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The concept is great. Nice looking clips. Best of luck on the project.
:)
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No real clips in the mail yet, so I have to content myself with more computer-generated ones:
(I wish they would hurry up and get here!!)
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Well what a bummer!!
I got my pocket clip and other parts in the mail today from KnifeKits. But despite a listed "max width" of 3/8", the clip actually measures closer to 5/8" wide. Dang, that means it is too wide to fit properly on the handle of a Spirit.
:(
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Better look for another clip.
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I believe they have some models that only require two screws... perhaps one of them would be better?
Def
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Hi m8, you should try to make your own clip, you can use titanium or some stainless steel, in case of the steel check what is the hardness for the untreathed steel, i think some authenistic steels are about30 or 35 RC which is good enought for a clip , i have used 316 without any problems
have fun
Esteban
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Thanks for the great suggestions fellas. Roger too, who PM'd me with a couple of thoughts. However, here is what I went ahead and did; I took the KnifeKits pocket clip to work with me today and ground off the two "ears." Now it fits on the handle of the SwissTool Spirit okay. Then I added two more holes, so it can be screwed down securely.
I'm trying to decide if I like the looks of it, before I go ahead and try drilling and tapping the Spirit.
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I'm trying to decide if I like the looks of it, before I go ahead and try drilling and tapping the Spirit.
I like the way the ground down clip looks better than the way it originally looked.
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I like the way it looks too.
I was messing with my Spirit today and mine doesn't have any movement in that bracket... I wonder why?
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Looks good to me. Good luck.
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I like it!
Def
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I like it too, but I fear you may have a weakened clip there that may bend easily at the two screw holes. I hope I'm not right.
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I like it too, but I fear you may have a weakened clip there that may bend easily at the two screw holes. I hope I'm not right.
Now you've got me worried.....
.....tomorrow I'm going to drill and tap a block of steel and screw the clip to it. I'll do a little stress testing first before I drill any holes in the Spirit.
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Sorry, it just looks really thin next to the screw holes now. Let us know how the test goes.
Tom
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J-sews,
Just wondering how this worked out for you?
mike
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J-sews,
Just wondering how this worked out for you?
mike
Uh-oh, busted!
I.....uh...um.....haven't done a darn thing on this project since I last posted a month ago. I took all the components in to the shop, then got busy with another project. (One that was leftover from last summer!) Time to get busy and git 'er done I guess!
Bob's motto: Never put off until tomorrow that which can be put off until the day after tomorrow. ;)
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I like the motto. :)
mike
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So we will be waiting till Spring? :P
Def
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So we will be waiting till Spring? :P
Def
Of 2008. ;)
mike
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Ugh! These "motivational" digs are starting to feel painful. You guys must have been taking lessons from my wife! :D
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Speaking of pocket clips, Does anybody here do mods on SAKs? I really want to clip a tinker but I just dont want to destroy a good knife if I dont know what I am getting into. I have my own ideas on how to do it but then again I am unsure of my engineering skills.
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There are lots of SAK modding articles at www.sosakonline.com for your perusal. Also, Roger (SwissBianco) has designed a pocket clip for SAKs that Victorinox is considering producing, so you may wish to ask him if he has any suggestions.
Def
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That would be great if Victorinox produced a model with a pocket clip. I e-mailed victorinox a while back giving my input. I guess if they get enough suggestions they will go through with it. Personally, I think that the pocket clip adds more utility to the multitool or SAK. You can clip it onto anything. A SAK clipped to my shorts could come in handy when I am riding my mountain bike. It allows for a possible quick repair if needed, a task that usually could not be accomplished with a clipped "tactical folder."
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No, but with a good tactical folder you could stab the bike if it attacked you.
Def
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Yeah, I could stab the bike. However, with the blade being of one of the harder steels it would probaly break thus compounding my losses. :)
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HAH! You all thought I was never gonna do it, didn't you! O0
Link: http://forum.multitool.org/index.php?topic=858.new
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I usually have more words to reply with but as of right now although I want to say WOW!, my mouth is still full of foam. :)