Help with making a ZT0562 show scale

[Pendexter]

Hey BF, I've been slowly but surely modifying my ZT 0562CF to make it my own.

I got a piece of 1/8" zebrawood that I'm using to make a show side scale to replace the carbon fiber. Here's a photo of it installed. Not the best photo, just messing around while taking a hike. This is only a proof of concept piece, I bought a 2 ft strip.

The problem is that the action is horrible. With the carbon fiber, there is zero blade play and it drops freely.

With the wood scale in, it's a violent shake to get it to drop if I tighten out all the blade play.

I eyeballed the scale with a Dremel, drill, and belt sander. No drill press or counterbore bits for me, unfortunately.

I didn't think that the tolerances would matter since the scale is sitting on top of the steel liner, but it definitely makes a difference.

Here are my questions:
For curiosity sake, does anyone know why small differences in scale thickness would result in poor action? Does it have to do with the pivot screw depth?

Do I need to get out the calipers and make the depths exact to get the action on point?

How do the pro/semi-pro scale makers create their scales? Is it all CNC?

Do you have any advice on how I can make a better scale at home?

Thanks for reading.

 

[Pendexter]

Figured it out. It was the (3) body screws. They weren't light up properly so they were putting torque on the knife.

Once I increased the size of the openings and relieved the stress, it got drop shutty.

Time to make a new scale with more accurate penetrations.

 

[Night Rider]

You made that bad boy your own for sure. Nice work and for figuring it out your alignment issue, sometimes that's half the fun but I bet you pulled some hair out in the process LOL. I just started playing around with Heat anodizing on a couple of $20 SOG's with stainless scales and it's been a fun learning experience and therapeutic as well. Good luck and thanks for giving me another project to think about

 

[Pendexter]

I think mods are the most fun part of the hobby for me.

Post some pics when you finish your project.

 

[Night Rider]

^^ I will soon as I make something worthy. My first attempt was ok with some nice bronze and blue coloring but the heat source I was using " A nap gas torch " was too hot and the flame tip was too wide so I'm going to pick up something more suited like one of those Dab rig torches and another $20 SOG from WallyMart. I'll post something soon