Modding a Victorinox without a drill?

[NetsNJ]

Hi Guys,

So I have this Victorinox s54 that is a beauty.  The tools are in perfect condition minus a missing ruler/compass (which was a dumb component to begin with).  I want to mod this knife by removing the 3 (3!!!!) spring layers supporting this missing tool and slimming it down to 9 layers. 

It should be one of the simpler mods since I can reuse the pins (just shortening them).   Unfortunately though, I don't have access to a drill.  Is there any way to take the bushings off without drilling out the pin?  Probably not but I figured I'd ask. 

Thanks!!

[PTRSAK]

If you had some spare bushings, yes. You could use flush cutting side cutters to cut the end of the pin but 95% of the time this destroys the bushing.
I break down donor knives this way.

Another option if you have a dremel is to use a small ball end burr and grind out the pin from inside the bushing. It takes a steady hand but it can be done.

But I'm guessing that if you don't have a drill you probably don't have a dremel either.

You could always pick up a 2nd hand cordless for about $20.

[NetsNJ]

Thanks for reply.   

I expected I would need to pick up a drill, but was hoping for some ancient chinese sak modding secret from the collective wisdom of mto.   

[sLaughterMed]

Cheap hand drill is probably the way to go unfortunately. Maybe borrow a drill from a neighbor, and the smallest drill bit you can find above 1/64"? Offer to bake them cookies in return or something.

[neillcurrie]

I often just grind the bushings off flat on one side down to level with the liner. However, I have a few spare bushings for the times when I need them, somewhere........
Or you could just file them off.

[shibafu]

If someone could find out who supplies Victorinox's bushings, and hang around by the back door of their factory, it could make things a lot easier for all of us   Easy to cut, grind or file the pins out if we could get replacement bushings.

[sLaughterMed]

If someone could find out who supplies Victorinox's bushings, and hang around by the back door of their factory, it could make things a lot easier for all of us   Easy to cut, grind or file the pins out if we could get replacement bushings.

I suspect they are made in house...