I posted this on the Q&A board with one response (thanks RC) and I'm reposting here for a second try.
You guys haven't let me down so far so... Is there any way to tighten up side to side blade wobble in an older slip joint other than having it professionally done? I have a few older users, nothing fancy, that need some help. As always, I appreciate the input. Thanks.
Nick
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remington collector
- Posts: 1396
- Joined: Sat Dec 17, 2005 9:53 pm
- Location: north carolina
For a true repair the pin must be replaced. You can do it yourself. First you must remove the pin that runs thru the bolsters and the loose blade. The easiest way is to cut it between the blade and inside bolster using a thin blade kitchen knife. Being that the blade is already loose will make the job even easier. The pin is most likely nickel silver so it is fairly soft and will cut easily. You'll have to cut the pin on each end , leaving the center pin intact. Then you can swivel the handles on the center pin and punch out the pins that you have cut. After you have removed the remaining portions, its time for new pins. You'll have to buy a rod of nickel silver of the correct diameter. Using a drill bit counter bore the bolster just a bit , insert the rod thru the hole. Leave about 1 /16" on each side and cut the rod. Then using a feeler gauge or razor blade between the blade and bolster, peen the heads of the pin. You'll probably need to true the heads up with some fine sandpaper , then use steel wool to polish. If done correctly there should be no evidence that the pin was replaced and the blade will be nice and snug. You can buy a book that shows step by step how to do this and gives more precise info(Pocketknife Repair by Ben Kelly Jr.) but I have given the general idea of how its done. If you have a few tools and are a little handy with them, its not much of a job to replace the pin, and the more you do the better you become at it. I get my silver rods and other knife material at Kovals.