Machining Bolt Knobs

[David Hoback]

Making these myself now. Doing my latest build, I needed to grab one. But I figured why not try to make one this time. I picked up a Titanium Bolt Handle, so I wanted a Ti bolt knob as well.

I made one from Delrin polymer first to make sure my process would work. Started with some Delrin bar plate I had. Turned it to round first, then drilled/tapped & machined the contour similar to the Badger style.



It ended up really nice, so I knew it would work. I already have quite a bit of experience machining Titanium, so I know what a PAIN it can be! But it’s worth it. Ordered a 22mm round bar of 6AL4V Ti. Follower the same procedure as I did for the Delrin. Just had way slow things down. It’s not too bad because I use Tungsten Carbide bits.


Tapped the normal 5/16-24 & machined the same. Came out very nice indeed.



I sand blasted today. Going to Cerekote sometime this or next week. I’m really happy with the outcome.

 

[Blue68f100]

Nicely done..

 

[wiscoaster]

Ditto above.

 

[doubleh]

Nice work but what makes titanium worth it over steel or aluminum for a bolt knob? Snob factor or what?

 

[David Hoback]

Nice work but what makes titanium worth it over steel or aluminum for a bolt knob? Snob factor or what?

Oh yeah… absolutely! No, seriously.. there’s no reason for a Bolt Knob to be Titanium. Or steel/Aluminum for that matter! Plastic works fine.

But Titanium is just… COOL! If I were BUYING one, it would be an expensive waste. But since I can make my own, it cost LESS for the material than a regular Aluminum Bolt Knob would be. And when I make something, I like to OVER BUILD things. So you could call it vanity, snobbery, whatever…. Except I’m not spending MORE money… actually, LESS. It’s also challenging to work with. So it sharpens one’s skills in machining.

 

[GBExpat]

You went to all the trouble to fashion that beautiful titanium knob ... and now you are going to paint it?

 

[David Hoback]

You went to all the trouble to fashion that beautiful titanium knob ... and now you are going to paint it?

Well, I appreciate that. Hmm. You do have a point. But I’m working on my Cerakote technique as well.

 

[GBExpat]

<chuckle> So paint the delrin knob.

 

[LoonWulf]

Making these myself now. Doing my latest build, I needed to grab one. But I figured why not try to make one this time. I picked up a Titanium Bolt Handle, so I wanted a Ti bolt knob as well.

I made one from Delrin polymer first to make sure my process would work. Started with some Delrin bar plate I had. Turned it to round first, then drilled/tapped & machined the contour similar to the Badger style.
View attachment 1078002
View attachment 1078003

It ended up really nice, so I knew it would work. I already have quite a bit of experience machining Titanium, so I know what a PAIN it can be! But it’s worth it. Ordered a 22mm round bar of 6AL4V Ti. Follower the same procedure as I did for the Delrin. Just had way slow things down. It’s not too bad because I use Tungsten Carbide bits.
View attachment 1078004

Tapped the normal 5/16-24 & machined the same. Came out very nice indeed.
View attachment 1078005
View attachment 1078006

I sand blasted today. Going to Cerekote sometime this or next week. I’m really happy with the outcome.

Sexy!

 

[David Hoback]

That’s what I was going for! Appreciate it.

 

[Nature Boy]

You nailed it. Nice work David. I’d also leave it unpainted

 

[doubleh]

Oh yeah… absolutely! No, seriously.. there’s no reason for a Bolt Knob to be Titanium. Or steel/Aluminum for that matter! Plastic works fine.

But Titanium is just… COOL! If I were BUYING one, it would be an expensive waste. But since I can make my own, it cost LESS for the material than a regular Aluminum Bolt Knob would be. And when I make something, I like to OVER BUILD things. So you could call it vanity, snobbery, whatever…. Except I’m not spending MORE money… actually, LESS. It’s also challenging to work with. So it sharpens one’s skills in machining.

Color me confused. The titanium material is cheaper than buying one. Well of course it is but wouldn't that hold true for the steel or aluminum material to make one making the thing even more inexpensive? After all, after it's covered with whatever you use no one can tell it's titanium. I CAN understand shapening your skills but after you have it figured out as you obviously do can't you just remember from one project to the next.

I suppose my Scots dna prompts me to try to be thrifty. You do know how the Grand Canyon was formed don't you? A Scotsman dropped a dime down a gopher hole long ago and the canyon was born.

 

[David Hoback]

Not necessarily. Raw material doesn’t work like that. 7075-t6 billet round bar is actually more expensive than the Ti I got. Steel isn’t that much cheaper. 18-8 or 17-4 SS. I wouldn’t use steel anyway.

I’m thrifty on things as well. But only to a point. I like the BEST for the LEAST expense. Not the least expensive period. Most of all, I enjoy building my own firearms. I’m a machinist, Gunsmith & builder, but only as hobby. For myself. To some, that doesn’t qualify. And that’s fine. I’m also a custom Knifemaker, of which I have sold many knives. But I’ve given away near as many as I’ve sold, LOL. So that doesn’t quality me to some either. Good thing I don’t exist in “some” peoples bitter little worlds. No, I just let what I do speak for itself.

 

[FROGO207]

Well thank you for showing us what you made. As well as steps to get-r dun. I bet other projects you end up doing would be interesting as well if you want to share with us. There are several members that have shared builds and rebuilds/repairs here. They are always fun to follow and someday I might try to do a project on here for you all as well.

 

[BigBlue 94]

I machined some Titanium once. On a POS little benchtop lathe with dull cutters. The chips ignited by themselves from the heat! Not like magnesium, but similar.

Scraps and cutoffs can be had on ebay pretty cheap. Thats where i get the fancy metals and woods i use for smithing. Latest purchase was some Ko'u wood from @LoonWulf 's home state of Hawaii.

 

[David Hoback]

Oh yeah! Titanium is CRAZY flammable in thin shards. Very similar to Magnesium indeed. When I’m grinding it on my 2x72 belt grinder, I must be extremely careful to catch all the waste on fire. Same thing for a lathe.

Oh, so I took the advice of some of you lads.. I’m not Cerakoting it right now. Just leaving it ass sand blasted finish. I actually did spray it to see, but then I brake cleaned it off before oven curing.