Work in progress - If I remember. . . .

[birdseye]

A .45 to the temple is preferable to Coronation Street!

I have a 12 bore shotgun but just too messy, i'll stick to Coronation St.

[grommit]

Ian, great to put a face to your work, i have been really scrutinising your pics etc for tips etc. brilliant work and luv ya tools.
thanks for your PM's etc i got through my 1st HT n tempering of my 1st blade and all went well.
sanding the scales down now.
lata m8
Brian

[irbailey]

Cheers Brian
Well, heres tonights instalment. First off is the brass pieces cut ready to go!

Then its time to mark them up. This is when some semi-precision measuring comes into play.

After drilling I cut the web out with the poor mans milling machine (my small drill with milling bit and cross vice). If only I had a real one!

Here they are with the webs cut out.

Now is the time to get the warding files out. By the way, this set of files are 3 years old. They are the best files I've ever owned, and have out lasted all others. They came from Wilkinsons, and cost £1.99

[irbailey]

After some careful filing, its time to try it. I usually say a little prayer now, as one file stroke too many means starting again
Thankfully my prayers were answered

A top view

A bit more playing with the verniers and its time to drill the pin holes.

A quick fitting to check all is ok.

A bit more marking out, and over to the grinder. The majority of shaping is done now to prevent overheating the work when the guard has been soldered.

[irbailey]

Once the basic shape is complete, its time for the real scary part
Its time to shape the finger curve....
I wish I had a mill for this as well, but a dremel has to suffice!
As the curve is made you find out if your filework during the slotting and fitting was 100%. If its not, you end up with a gap where the brass and steel meet under the handle. This can cause high blood pressure, because this means you have to live with a rough knife, or start the guard again.
Tonight lady luck was on my side!!

Heres a poor picture of the part in question. It should be a hairline join if you've done it right.

A slightly better shot.

Well, thats all for now, as its now half two! Chute knife guard fitting hopefully tomorrow.
Thanks for looking.

Ian

[Iron Hoarder]

Sweet work. It's better than a two part thriller on TV.

[rcs]

Cracking thread Ian, i'm looking forward to seeing some more

regards,
Rob

[irbailey]

Thanks chaps. I've got a sheath to get welted and stitched up tonight, and then I should be onto the chute guard. So hopefully more pictures later.
Nothing like doing three jobs at once

Cheers, Ian

[PSY]

Ian[/QUOTE]

Spooky fit that is. Great thread.

[ChrisR]

I just love threads like this I am terrible at making stuff but it really restores my faith in humankind that anyone can do such great work in their home workshop - keep it up, I am really looking forward to seeing the finished product

[monkeyhanger]

Great thread. Like everyone else, i'm really enjoying it. Looking foreward to more.

[beachcaster]

Im enjoying this Ian...................great stuff ...well done !

its bad enough knife making ...but to stop and take pics as well ... good for you !!!

great thread


all the best

barry

[a6cjn]

Im enjoying this Ian...................great stuff ...well done !

its bad enough knife making ...but to stop and take pics as well ... good for you !!!

great thread


all the best

barry

Great thread indeed
'Specially as I'm faffing with fitting some bolsters meself at the mo'
Been meaning to take some pics as I work but ..... I seem to forget
Look forward to the next installment
Good stuff!

Chris

[belabear]

great tutorial ian!

ever thought of teaching? ;o)

cheers
belabear

[ANDYLASER]

Excellent work, thanks for sharing.