- Joined
- Feb 27, 2013
- Messages
- 1,048
I was requested by an individual to design and machine several carbon fiber and black canvas Micarta full back spacers for his small Sebenza. It was an interesting enough project that I decided to tackle it.
First I needed to disassemble the knife and scan the presentation side slab and blade. Once the scan files were imported into my CAD application... I then located the critical landmarks and traced the profiles. I then designed the full length back spacer using the CAD drawings of the blade and slab to insure sufficient clearance between the back spacer and the closed blade.
It was immediately apparent that the back spacer's depth along the spine was going to require a separate fluting operation to create a linear clearance slot for the blade's belly. That's not all that difficult just fiddly and will require a custom jig.
I wrote the Gcode and tested the output using scrap G10. Made the necessary tweaks and locked down the code. I machined the carbon fiber spacers first. I was using a .0394" end mill and broke three bits during the machining. I moved on to the Micarta and machined those without any issues. Lastly I needed to create a setup jig and machine the linear blade clearance slots. That went well.
Once all the machining was finished all the back spacers were hand finished for a mic'd thickness of .147" using #600 emory cloth and a surfacing plate.
Et viola'
First I needed to disassemble the knife and scan the presentation side slab and blade. Once the scan files were imported into my CAD application... I then located the critical landmarks and traced the profiles. I then designed the full length back spacer using the CAD drawings of the blade and slab to insure sufficient clearance between the back spacer and the closed blade.
It was immediately apparent that the back spacer's depth along the spine was going to require a separate fluting operation to create a linear clearance slot for the blade's belly. That's not all that difficult just fiddly and will require a custom jig.
I wrote the Gcode and tested the output using scrap G10. Made the necessary tweaks and locked down the code. I machined the carbon fiber spacers first. I was using a .0394" end mill and broke three bits during the machining. I moved on to the Micarta and machined those without any issues. Lastly I needed to create a setup jig and machine the linear blade clearance slots. That went well.
Once all the machining was finished all the back spacers were hand finished for a mic'd thickness of .147" using #600 emory cloth and a surfacing plate.
Et viola'
