Spirit Pocket Clip project

J-sews · **on:** December 31, 2006, 05:54:38 AM

Okay, I'm taking the plunge. I ordered two different belt clips from KnifeKits.com, 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?

J-sews · **Reply #1 on:** December 31, 2006, 05:57:00 AM

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

665ae · **Reply #2 on:** December 31, 2006, 06:02:17 AM

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

Tom Munch · **Reply #3 on:** December 31, 2006, 06:55:14 AM

That looks great! I'll anxiously await your results.

prime77 · **Reply #4 on:** December 31, 2006, 08:57:01 AM

I like #8 too. You have to let us know how everything turns out. A pocket clip on a Spirit would be great.

swisstool11 · **Reply #5 on:** December 31, 2006, 08:18:48 PM

What kind of equipment will you use to drill the holes in your Spirit?

J-sews · **Reply #6 on:** December 31, 2006, 08:51:55 PM

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.

Icheatpeople · **Reply #7 on:** December 31, 2006, 11:55:44 PM

that happens sometimes as i try to modd - nada - heattreated!

do they have an cnc mill?

good luck!

Grant Lamontagne · **Reply #8 on:** January 01, 2007, 12:00:26 AM

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

J-sews · **Reply #9 on:** January 01, 2007, 08:21:33 AM

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.

supratentorial · **Reply #10 on:** January 01, 2007, 09:29:44 AM

Quote from: J-sews on December 31, 2006, 08:51:55 PM

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.

Dunc · **Reply #11 on:** January 01, 2007, 11:23:13 AM

Quote from: J-sews on January 01, 2007, 08:21:33 AM

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

Icheatpeople · **Reply #12 on:** January 01, 2007, 12:27:33 PM

its mainly for the privots and lock areas def...havent sutch an tool, cant check.

J-sews · **Reply #13 on:** January 01, 2007, 04:57:38 PM

Quote from: dunc5 on January 01, 2007, 11:23:13 AM

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.

J-sews · **Reply #14 on:** January 01, 2007, 05:08:33 PM

Bracket pictures. (Hard to get a good shot of what I am talking about here, sorry.)

Dunc · **Reply #15 on:** January 01, 2007, 07:02:54 PM

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

J-sews · **Reply #16 on:** January 01, 2007, 07:31:14 PM

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.

supratentorial · **Reply #17 on:** January 01, 2007, 08:03:59 PM

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.

plowboy · **Reply #18 on:** January 02, 2007, 11:55:15 PM

The concept is great. Nice looking clips. Best of luck on the project.

J-sews · **Reply #19 on:** January 04, 2007, 04:10:52 AM

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!!)

J-sews · **Reply #20 on:** January 10, 2007, 04:47:21 AM

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.

Tom Munch · **Reply #21 on:** January 10, 2007, 06:22:42 AM

Better look for another clip.

Grant Lamontagne · **Reply #22 on:** January 10, 2007, 12:26:54 PM

I believe they have some models that only require two screws... perhaps one of them would be better?

Def

mcniac · **Reply #23 on:** January 10, 2007, 05:48:18 PM

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

J-sews · **Reply #24 on:** January 11, 2007, 04:57:44 AM

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.

prime77 · **Reply #25 on:** January 11, 2007, 05:30:34 AM

Quote from: J-sews on January 11, 2007, 04:57:44 AM

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.

665ae · **Reply #26 on:** January 11, 2007, 06:24:26 AM

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?

supratentorial · **Reply #27 on:** January 11, 2007, 08:39:21 AM

Looks good to me. Good luck.

Grant Lamontagne · **Reply #28 on:** January 11, 2007, 11:47:09 AM

I like it!

Def

Tom Munch · **Reply #29 on:** January 11, 2007, 03:40:38 PM

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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