Thread: Hinge Holes

The tool Outback is using is called a divider/compass.
To find the point to drill the center of the scale on the pivot end just use the divider and measure from one side of the scale to the other side. Then put that against a ruler. Let say it measures 1/2". Adjust the divider closer until it reads 1/4" according to the ruler. Now put the divider against one side of the scale. The other leg will be in the middle of the scale. Mark it and drill.

Hope this helps,

Randy kind of beat me to it. Here is a (very) rough drawing to demonstrate finding center. I couldn't find a compass so I used a pencil attached to a string. Construction workers have used a similar rudimentary method for thousands of years. The truck is to keep the measurement tool constant.

Find how far from the tip your hole should go. Measure that distance and mark it. From equal distance from either side make an arc with the compass or marking toll making sure you start from the same place on each side. A good choice is from the tip of where the downward arc meets the edge. The two lateral arcs don't even need to meet. In fact, they probably shouldn't because that leaves you a gate in between. Them. Put your mark dead center of where those two arcs meet

I decided to try and move this post to this a more proper thread..........

Originally Posted by STF

That is great advice David and I will definately use it when I make my own scales but these are already joined at the wedge so just need drilling and pinning at the hinge, it probably won't be possible to tack the two together at the end to drill through both. It sounds like it would be easy if I could.

If you used a sacraficial piece between the two sides that was the thickness of the spine and any washers It would hold them aligned.

The main arguement I see to drill from both sides is so that you don't blow out the one side as the bit goes through.

I always scotch-tape another scale the same width (and centered hole) to the victim and touch a drill-bit through.
Cut the tape and look. Drill it if I like it.
Lazy. Too many scales around.

That is a nice idea, Tom. Good one! And if you left the extra scale on top and taped it would help to guide the bit to keep it straight.

Tom is the rescale master.

Originally Posted by RezDog

Tom is the rescale master.

Thanks, Rez!

TBH, keeping scales out of the dump is a passion of mine!

Nice to have some new ones to drill on occasion, however.

Originally Posted by Gasman

That is a nice idea, Tom. Good one! And if you left the extra scale on top and taped it would help to guide the bit to keep it straight.

Hard not to do, Jerry. Lots of dusty scales in the back.



I take a matching rear scale and tape to a matching victim.
Front to back and vice-verssa. Touch the back of the victim through the pin-hole.
Untape and see if I like the position. If not, no harm done. Lots more patterns...

Then. I eyeball it and drill it from the back all willy-nilly!
I go slow and can feel when the tip of the bit is about to break through, Flip it and go at the top as I can see it.
Then, tape this one to it's other half and drill away. Works well for me.

Yeah, I've done it that way too, mainly with wood blanks I have made from snag out of the forest. If you hold your finger against where the bit will come out you can feel it about to break the surface. It's much easier.to be cavalier if they are expendable. Things that are not easily replaced or that I have more significant investment in I find I am more cautious with.

Guess what I did?









I kept losing the collars when they fell off, I must have gone through about six razors worth so I'll have to try to find the ones I lost.

I think the pin may have been too long, started with 1oz ball tap tap, forget that nonsense. 8oz claw hammer, whack wack then finish making it pretty with the 1oz.

The holes are not straight so I need a drill press I reckon, and it is nice and tight when open but goes loose and baggy when I close it again.

Practice makes perfect I know but OMG what a pita of a job. How do you guys have the patience for this stuff.