15&20 linners for linner lock?

[Will]

I finaly turned out a linner lock that works right, I used 15&20 for the linners. I'm not sure how much I should heat them to get them soft enough, all I did was heat to a gray color and let air cool. Still seemed a little hard, but I was able to drill and tap everything. I wasn't real concerned about this first folder as it's a prototype, but what do you recomend for 15&20 linners, full aneal?

Thanks,

Will

[Ed Caffrey]

I've done both.......annealed them by tempering at 600F in the oven, and used them as the material comes. I've never had a problem either way. I would suggest if you use it as it comes, go one drill size larger than recommended for the thread size your tapping. (normally a 2-56 calls for a #50 drill, but I use a #49 in 15N20, and a #48 in Titanium) Don't worry about pulling the threads out......you'll strip the screw before you strip the threads from the materials, and, you'll break a lot less taps in the process.

[Will]

Thanks Ed, I may make a few more with 15&20 before trying to ruin some more ti. Kinda funny but I screwed up two sets of ti linners and the first time I try 15&20 I get it right. Go figure.

Thanks