TL-29 mods thread... Let's put 'em here

[Jeffinn]

It actually turned out nice Mike!
Getting the handle slabs fitting tight against the bolster isn’t always possible. Some bolsters are machined poorly or fitted poorly to the liners and you can end up with a gap or poor fitting handles no matter how hard you try to fix it. Other times bolsters are just badly beat up or severely worn.
I do agree with you on starting with a knife with better bones. I’ve bought my share of basket cases and they take a lot of work that doesn’t always pay off.
But I think I think this one looks pretty darn nice considering what you started with!
Jeff

[Meridian_Mike]

Thanks for those good words Jeff.
I made all the bolsters so the bad edge is on me.
Once again, this was a good learning experience for me. I ruined 2 sets of Culpepper slabs during the process. I need to be more careful dealing with those guys!!
I have some better looking TL-29s and I do want to make me a couple of English Jacks in the future.

I did a little bit of bolster dressing by filing the lines into the front bolsters. By the time I got that far along, I wasn't too worried about messing up.....LOL.

[Jeffinn]

Thanks for those good words Jeff.
I made all the bolsters so the bad edge is on me.
Once again, this was a good learning experience for me. I ruined 2 sets of Culpepper slabs during the process. I need to be more careful dealing with those guys!!
I have some better looking TL-29s and I do want to make me a couple of English Jacks in the future.

I did a little bit of bolster dressing by filing the lines into the front bolsters. By the time I got that far along, I wasn't too worried about messing up.....LOL.

Adding new bolsters adds a few other challenges to the mix. Getting clean edges on the bolster edge that meets the handle can be as easy as squaring them up on whatever sander/grinder you’re using.
Then getting the bolsters soldered in the right location can also be tricky. I start by getting the front one into position and soldered into place. Once I’m happy with that, I use a small acrylic (soon to be changed to metal) perfectly square rectangle piece that I’ve cut to 2 3/4” to help square everything up. I lay the rectangle on the liner, push it up against the front bolster then clamp it in place. Then I score a line on the liner for the rear bolster. I remove the acrylic piece the tin the liner with solder (you can put pencil lead up to the line to keep the solder from flowing out of the area where you want it). I tin the bolster piece as well. Once everything cooled down, I place my acrylic piece back on the knife, clamp it in place then position the bolster up tight against it. I clamp the bolster in place, remove the acrylic piece and reheat everything until the solder flows.
Once I make a few rectangular metal pieces in various sizes, I can leave them in place during the soldering to ensure nothing shifts out of position. But for now the acrylic piece works okay.
I’m sure there are other, better ways of doing this but I’m self taught so I create certain processes as I go.
And just so you know, I still crack a bone piece from time to time (and it still ticks me off!)

[Jeffinn]

Here’s a Schrade Walden Electricians knife with a modified screwdriver blade. This was posted elsewhere but since it fits here I posted it here as well.
The blade was already modified when I got it but since it looked pretty good I decided to use it. The bones were smooth black but they do have a slightly bluish tint to them. I left the bone pretty thick and for this knife that seems to work well.

[Meridian_Mike]

Thanks for those words of instruction and encouragement Jeff.
Some of my operations & procedures still need a LOT of refining.
I can really use advice from others. Sometime... my pride keeps me from posting up my mistakes along side the work of the other fine mechanics here (such as yourself).
Maybe, one day I will learn......

One observation.... parallel bolster faces have to be one of the hardest applications for adding on new handles. One bolster alone at the forward end is a piece of cake and even bolsters beveled in opposite directions can be handled with minimal effort.
NOW.... beveled and parallel is another animal all together.....YIKES!

[Jeffinn]

Another Klein Hawkbill this one in amber wormgroove.
Original steel front bolsters, hand made nickel silver rear bolsters and a light refinish on the blade.

[Meridian_Mike]

That one is a real beauty Jeff!
Once again, I really like the bone you used.
Very nice execution, fit and finish.

You sure are stacking up the TL-29 mod knives....
Great job!

[glennbad]

That looks great Jeff!

[doglegg]

Jeff, excellent work. You sure turn them into lookers.

[orvet]

Looks great Jeff!

[Reverand]

Wow Jeff, she looks good!

[WillyCamaro]

You nailed it again Jeff . You are turning out some real beauties for sure .

[Jeffinn]

Camillus Electricians Knife
Original knife;

Added rear nickel silver bolsters, grooved both front (front bolsters were nickel silver on this knife as opposed to steel) and rear bolsters, and added some smooth sunset bone handles. The blade was in pretty good condition on this one. I still might add a shield, I'm kind of undecided on that.

I'm calling the rear bolsters horseshoe bolsters because that's what they reminded me of when viewed from the side:

I've got two more electricians knives left in the project box. Ill probably work on those next.
Thanks for looking!
Jeff

[Brumbydownunder]

Very nice transformation Jeff ...looks a million bucks!

[orvet]

That looks good Jeff.

[doglegg]

Jeff bragging on your knives isn't being knice it is being honest. Great job. Bolsters and bones!!!

[Reverand]

Wow, I need to buy me some of that Sunset bone. I probably can't do it justice, but each knife that you do now looks even better than the last! Great work!

[Meridian_Mike]

Great job Jeff!
I love the sunset bone! I have got to get me some of that on order.

[OLDE CUTLER]

This old Utica was really beat up when I got it. The back of the screwdriver blade had been hammered on til the tip broke off and the edges peened over. Rehandle was done in Culpepper smooth royal blue bone. The broken screwdriver blade was reshaped into a small clip. Kind of weird, a small clip blade that locks?

[Meridian_Mike]

Very NICE!!
I love the blue bone AND what you did with the screwdriver blade!

Great job!
Another beauty added to our thread!

[Jeffinn]

Nice! That blue is pretty incredible!
Jeff

[orvet]

That does look nice with that blue bone.
Good job!

[Doc B]

Nice! I'll take a locking, mini, clip blade!

[doglegg]

Another great job OC.

[Reverand]

Looks great! I love good TL mods!