guards?

[doublearrow]

What is the best way to cut slots in slotted guards or to cut out the slot for a stick tang in a full piece guards? I don't have any needle files and the knife is rather small. any help would be appreciated. I tried the search engine but couldn't find anything without using files.

[george tichbour]

I tried drilling and filing then saw cutting and filing then gave up and bought a small milling maching....its the only way to go.

If you don't have a milling maching or access to one try a jewelers saw, slow as the devil but reasonably accurate.

[Don Cowles]

Hand tools are the absolute basic necessities for for knifemaking, and this includes a variety of files. If you don't have them, buy them.

I don't mean to sound crusty at all, and I certainly agree with George -but you are more likely to have the money for the files than for a milling machine.

[Ray Rogers]

Don's absolutely right. I have two complete sets of needle files and neither set cost more than $12 from Harbor Freight. I've been using the same set for 8 years so far ..........

[GANNMADE]

Most people modify their files for specific tasks.Slotted guards
can be filed down the middle. For a hidded tang I center
punch and drill 3 holes with a drill bit smaller than the tang then
clean the middle out then file as needed

[Geno]

Dremel has a long rotory carbide bit that can eat out between the holes or even cut the slot by hand.
It does require practice, but it is faster than a mill and quite cheap. I get mine at the local gun shows.

[Terry_Dodson]

Geno do you have a picture of the dremel rotory carbide bit? Or the part number? Do they come in differnt sizes? Will they cut steel (mild or hardened)?

[Geno]

I'm the computer dummy and don't do pictures well(I need Pat to post pics)
These are carbide tools that cut both mild and hardened steel, they have about 1 " of cutting surface on a 1/8" shank.TiN coated(yellow- Titanium nitrate dipped), ball end, and looks like a wood rasp. I'v seen them at Home Depot too. One size only.

[David Peterson]

I've used the carbide dremel bit Geno was talking about and it works great on brass. Cuts like butter. I drill the three holes and then use the carbide bit to clean it up. Finish with some needle files to get a good fit.

-Dave

[Ramsey]

Dremel makes a Cutting Bit which I personally like and the NO. is 561. Pkg says Wood, plastic, laminates and it usually hangs by the one that is used for cutting sheetrock. I have used it on many occasions even though I have a mill that tool still comes in handy for all your different handle materials. Just dont apply too much presure when using it, I have before and caused a couple of them to brake.

Ramsey