SAK mod question

[Tsquare]

     I was looking on the mod index on sosak at knifeforums and saw a thread about using machine screws for pins in a mod.  I tried it on an explorer I bought at a pawn shop cheap but the size listed in the mod did not work.  Does anyone know the size  of machine screw needed to use as replacements for the pins in a SAK.  Thanks for any info you can give.   

[Neil]

  I've lashed together a couple of 111mm knives that I didn't intend to keep in that configuaration with bolts but I've not done it on a 91mm knife.  You'd need bolts with outer thread diameters of 2.25 and 2.5mm

Good luck and please do let us know if you succeed 

Neil

[Gareth]

TBH I looked at that mod idea as well but gave up on it when I found it easier to locate solid brass pin stock.  You're looking in the right place (SOSAK) to help with tips on peening or just ask here.  I also worried that the threads on the bolts would wear out where the tools pivoted on them and make everything go very slack very quickly.  Let us know how you get on though.

[Tsquare]

In this case I am going from a larger to a smaller knife 4 to 2 layer so one side is still peened.  The question is if I were starting with brass pin stock how would you go about peening the first side.  I hope the mod I am working on is going to be okay but I was also thinking of putting a regular blade on a my first victorinox plus to make a lumberjack and that would me using pin stock.  If you have any pics that would be great.

[Gareth]

Others may do it differently but I cut the pins so as they are far over sized then clamp them one at a time in a vice and gently round over one end. 

Take the pins out of the vice and then you can drop the bushes in place and assemble your knife. 

Once everything is in place (easier said than done, but that's part of the fun) I cut the pins to length and peen them doing a little from both ends of the pin.  When peening don't be tempted to leave to much pin sticking out to start with (1-2mm tops).  All you will end up doing is bending the pin when trying to get rid of all the lateral play in the blade.  If you bend the pin then it's really time to start again.

Once all the lateral play is gone STOP HITTING THE PIN!  If there is any stock still sitting proud of the bush then file it down so as your scale will sit flush.

Job done. 

All that said you could order a Lumberjack form a European dealer.  I got mine from this lot,  and I know they will post to the US just mail them for costs.

http://www.heinnie.com/X57Y5z1014715/Knives/Victorinox/Economy-Knives/Victorinox-Matt-Lumberjack/p-92-199-328-3419/

PS if you are buying pin stock for the Lumberjack plan only you will only need 2.25mm as all three pins are the same size on a 84mm knife.

[Spork, Lord of Lime Jello!]

Tsquare, that post was made by a beginner several years ago (2005) who thought he could bypass learning how to rivet properly by using screws. I think that if it were a viable method it would have caught on with others and I you would have found many more posts about it by now.

I know that the poster started riveting his mods together later on.

[Tsquare]

     I totally agree with that.  I tapered the pins that came out of the donor explorer to make assembly a little easier and when put back the tension on the blade and tools was perfect.  It seems like a pipe dream,  better stick to the brass.

[Gareth]

Now we want to see it. 

[Tsquare]

     At this point it is assembled but not peened back together.  It has a big and small blade, mag, phillips, and corkscrew.  I am trying to decide if I want to go ahead and finish it or get a combo tool and really make it a scientist.  I got the explorer donor knife at a pawn shop for like 5 bucks and got the urge to tear it apart the other night.  This one is just an experiment.  What I really want to do is take a brand new explorer with the new mag and a brand new compact and make a scientist with the new mag.  I remember reading somewhere that the combo tool from an 84 mm knife will fit on a 91 mm knife but it just sits a little lower.  This would be good if it does, I could scalp a combo tool from a bantam(they are cheap).  If it gets finally assembled as a scientist it will be my beater scientist.

[Gareth]

It looks exactly like this;



The bottom SAK is a 91mm knife with a 84mm combo tool fitted.  You will need a extra hard drill bit to open up the pivot hole so as it will fit on the 2.5mm pin used on 91mm knives.  NKB did the one in the picture for me as an experiment.  It works fine but as you can see the nail nick only just sits over the edge of the scale so looks a bit odd.  The 'snap' however is fine.  I'm planning to make a Scientist or a Yeoman myself but haven't got the Explorer yet.


BTW I'm reasonably new at this modding stuff myself and it is down to the more experienced chaps like Spork and NKB sharing their knowledge that I have gotten this far.

[Spork, Lord of Lime Jello!]

Personally I would use the combo-tool from a Compact rather than bodge one from an 84mm.

It is false economy in my view. Sure it is more expensive to start with two new knives but the results will be cleaner and function better.

If you disassemble both knives carefully, there is no reason you cannot reassemble both knives. I've done 3-way switch-ups myself and ended up with two customized SAKs, one in standard configuration and a minimum of extra parts.

The weirdest thing is that the standard configuration SAK always seems to end up being a Climber...

[Tsquare]

     I am thinking about a two layer double scissors with the spare parts if I go through with it.  thanks for all of the great info. I knew that you guys would have the right answers.  I saw on rotokids site he has brass pins and a pin removal kit.  I may need to invest in these for some experiments.

[Gareth]

I tend to agree with SporK on this, if all you want is the combo tool then try and pick up a second hand Compact.  I only went with the 84mm as an experiment and because Compacts aren't common here.  As SporK says all that ends up happening is you tend to get left with the bits to make a Climber, which is no bad thing IMO.

[Tsquare]

I can get the new saks from a gentleman that sets up a booth at a gun and knife show about an hour away.  I can get the compact for 26 and the explorer for about 30.  The best part is he engraves your initials for free right there at the booth when you buy the knife.  He will also do that if you mail order them from him as well.  What is so good is that he is not just a authorized dealer, he is a fan.  He can also put various colored handles on knives you buy from him also.  I got a compact and he put my initials on it and put sapphire translucent handles on it. 

[hawkchucker]

Does this guy have a site? I would love to get some sak scales.

[Tsquare]

     Yes he does www.dellasknives.com