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

[WillyCamaro]

Jeff nailed it. It's perty famous in the plastic modelling world, because it's such great stuff to work with. They also make accelerator for it, and de-bonder.
Willy
P.S. The knife mods are coming along wonderfully fellers .

[herbva]

Jeff, I recently started using the thin followed by gel to finish a crack off (Dale's great idea, not mine.) That stuff is amazing. Just be careful, I actually got one finger stuck to the knife and lost a bit of skin!

[Jeffinn]

The thin is definitely fast setting and will get hot to the touch if you get it on your skin. It’s some amazing stuff though. I haven’t tried the gel yet.
Jeff

[Meridian_Mike]

The thin is definitely fast setting and will get hot to the touch if you get it on your skin. It’s some amazing stuff though. I haven’t tried the gel yet.
Jeff

Hot to the touch? Dang....
NOW, it doesn't melt the material you put it on does it? (like some sort of chemical reaction?)

Since I have the surface of the knife finished, will I have to sand or polish again?

[Jeffinn]

Yes, sand down the glue with 220, 400 and 600 grit, then re-polish it/buff it out.
And no, it won’t melt most of the materials that we work with (as far as I know), it just cures so fast that it tends to heat up (at least when it’s on the skin). It’s surprising just how transparent a repair can be.
One of the other things I learned was that standard super glue can be set instantly by sprinkling baking soda over it. Apparently they use this technique in the repair of chips and cracks in certain airline props and rotors (according to what I read online). The baking soda creates a chemical reaction which causes the glue to set instantly (and possibly a bit harder). I haven’t really found a use for this particular technique but I’m sure it’ll come in handy at some point.
Jeff

[Meridian_Mike]

Thanks for that nice explanation Jeff.
I had to ask because I fear making a mess when using anything that is new to me for the first time. My sister-in-law is coming to get this knife this weekend. SO, I won't have a lot of time to make another if I screw this one up..... LOL.

[glennbad]

Here's one I finished recently. Amber stag and teardrop bottom bolster added. Punch mod on screwdriver blade

[Meridian_Mike]

WOW.... that is a beauty Glenn.... That stag is first class!
The tear drop bolster is extra nice! I need to do me one of those. I LIKE!!!
I love what you did with the screwdriver blade!
Great job!

[orvet]

Glenn, either your pictures are getting better or your knives are!
That looks so good, it could have come out of the GEC factory! Absolutely outstanding!

[doglegg]

Glenn, absolutely gorgeous, what a fabulous knife. That thing looks factory new and what beautiful handles. Wow!!!

[TPK]

Awesome work Glenn!

[Schradenut]

Meridian_Mike
I only have one, but it is a beauty. I sent it to Dale some years ago with my thoughts on a mod and he exceeded all my expectations.
The original knife was a white scaled Utica TL-29....and well i will let you see the fine work Dale did on this one.
Tony.

[Myron]

What an amazing thread!

I'm still very much a novice knife modder, but I have an old Camillus TL-29 and this thread has inspired me to get it out and turn it into something useful. Can any of the more experienced modders tell me what's involved in modifying the liner lock to work on the knife blade instead of the screwdriver/wire-stripper tool? Is it obvious when you take it apart?

I'm also curious to know if there is such a thing as ready-made wooden scales for these knives? Or at least crudely shaped and maybe the final shaping left up to the knife maker?

My plan would be to replace the black scales with wooden ones lighter in color, eliminate the screwdriver implement, and move the liner lock over to the blade.

Are the black scales on this knife wood, or some other material?

Thanks,

Myron

[Meridian_Mike]

Meridian_Mike
I only have one, but it is a beauty. I sent it to Dale some years ago with my thoughts on a mod and he exceeded all my expectations.
The original knife was a white scaled Utica TL-29....and well i will let you see the fine work Dale did on this one.
Tony.

Yep... that one is a sure 'nuff beauty!!
I remember seeing it once when Dale posted it.... WOW!
I LOVE that style of knife!! I have done a couple in that style but other hands have them now. (I can't seem to keep one....LOL)
Thanks for showing!!

[Meridian_Mike]

I'm still very much a novice knife modder, but I have an old Camillus TL-29 and this thread has inspired me to get it out and turn it into something useful. Can any of the more experienced modders tell me what's involved in modifying the liner lock to work on the knife blade instead of the screwdriver/wire-stripper tool? Is it obvious when you take it apart?

I think you will need to modify the blade to allow the lock to spring over and lock the blade. Here is a pic of an Uncle Henry I fixed. It shows how the lock works when the blade is open.

I'm also curious to know if there is such a thing as ready-made wooden scales for these knives? Or at least crudely shaped and maybe the final shaping left up to the knife maker?

You will need to get cover material from somebody like Culpepper and cut them to fit. First you get the material to the length and fit at the bolsters. Then you can refine the shape at the liners.

My plan would be to replace the black scales with wooden ones lighter in color, eliminate the screwdriver implement, and move the liner lock over to the blade.

Are the black scales on this knife wood, or some other material?

Mostly, the black covers are a form of plastic but sometimes a higher quality Electrician's knife will have wood handles. I'm not exactly sure about yours.

[Myron]

Hi Mike,

Thank you for the thoughtful reply and useful details! Your reply has shown me that it's more than I want to tackle right now, so I think I will just use and enjoy this knife as-is.

Thanks again,

Myron

[Schradenut]

Brumbydownunder
You have done some wonderful work on those ones Derek. The TL-29 is a good solid knife and you have shown some very imaginative variations of them. I never tire at looking at your work.
Tony.

[Meridian_Mike]

....... more than I want to tackle right now, so I think I will just use and enjoy this knife as-is.

Myron,
Get some cheaper "junk" knives and work on 'em. Reshape some blades, take 'em apart and put 'em back together.
Save your best knifes for later when you get more experience.

That Camillus Electricians knife has some good bones! It is a good candidate for a nice mod!

Get in there and get your hands dirty!

[Byrd]

Here's one that was a pretty beat up Camillus. I did it in buffalo horn. I'm not sure I like that material, but it sure does shine up nice! After I polished it I found a couple places that were dinged a bit... Sorry for the pictures but the sun's out!

[stockman]

You guys are very good.

Harold

[Reverand]

Looks great, Byrd!!

[TPK]

Yes I agree, you did a fine job!

[Byrd]

Thank you all! It was a fun project. I love redoing these TL29's. They are plentiful and inexpensive and great for me to learn on!

[Winchester M21]

Good job Byrd!!

Here’s one I finished yesterday. This one belongs to stockman now!!

Screwdriver converted to Napanoch style punch and added ebony handles and checkered

[doglegg]

Good look on that one Byrd.
Shawn, I like the punch modification. The handles look great as well.