Need to spend $1000

[Tune_up]

Here’s the deal, I am building a barn/tool shed and I have allotted myself a 16’x20’ space in the corner for a workshop. This is a hobby for me and I have put off spending the money because I know I will never cover the cost. But, I got to thinking and I have spent more money with less thought and used the item less (think bass boat, ATV, $800-1200 for a rifle then $400-800 for a scope, ect). Anyway, enough justification, back to the subject. I have decided to purchase a KMG grinder (variable speed, 2 hp) and have about $1000 left for other purchases. I currently have a 3x36” belt/6” disc sander, 1x30 belt sander, a Dewalt portaband and a cheap drill press. Other things I want/think I need are:
Kiln, probably Sugar Creek
9” disc sander
KMG accessories, small wheel attachment, tooling arms, rotary platen, ect
Upgrade drill press
Band saw, (I do woodworking too)
Upgrade KMG to 3hp
Horizontal grinder
Dust collector (boring…! But probably more important than most of the above toys).
Mini-mill
1911, I know it’s not knife related but I might need to protect my shop…
Some of these can be combined, upgraded or might have to wait until I have additional funds. Since I have been doing this without any of these tools, except the drill press, I am not sure what will be the most useful. Right now the kiln and disc sander are at the top of my list but what would you do?

[tryppyr]

I use a cheap drill press, and it works fine... so long as I use expensive drill bits. Ironic, but my drill bits cost WAY more than my drill... but they cut metal, plastic and wood just fine. So make good carbide drill bits one of your must-haves.

Since this will be a barn space a dust collector is a nice to have... but some means of protecting yourself is a must-have. Invest in a good respirator.

Lighting... you'll need lots of it, so don't stop with one or two fluorescent tubes.

[medicevans]

I started a thread called "help me spend $1250", search for it. Lots of great ideas in there.

[Patrice Lemée]

So make good carbide drill bits one of your must-haves.

Typo there I hope Greg. No need for carbide drill bits, not at this stage anyway. I never used them myself except for drilling a hardened tang.

Tune-Up, a few random thoughts:

Dust collector - You are right there. If you can make it dust extraction instead it makes things easier
Kiln, probably Sugar Creek - Good idea, always did my own heat treating
9” disc sander - You can use your VFD to power this as well
KMG accessories, small wheel attachment, tooling arms, rotary platen, ect - Small wheel yes, rotary platen much later.
Upgrade drill press - An import floor model for around 300$ will cover all your drilling needs
Band saw, (I do woodworking too) - For steel, a portaband is the solution here
Mini-mill - Nice to have bit a bigger investment
Upgrade KMG to 3hp - No Need
Horizontal grinder - Not needed at this stage

[Brian Ayres]

Typo there I hope Greg. No need for carbide drill bits, not at this stage anyway. I never used them myself except for drilling a hardened tang.

Tune-Up, a few random thoughts:

Dust collector - You are right there. If you can make it dust extraction instead it makes things easier
Kiln, probably Sugar Creek - Good idea, always did my own heat treating
9” disc sander - You can use your VFD to power this as well
KMG accessories, small wheel attachment, tooling arms, rotary platen, ect - Small wheel yes, rotary platen much later.
Upgrade drill press - An import floor model for around 300$ will cover all your drilling needs
Band saw, (I do woodworking too) - For steel, a portaband is the solution here
Mini-mill - Nice to have bit a bigger investment
Upgrade KMG to 3hp - No Need
Horizontal grinder - Not needed at this stage

Very good reply Patrice. I'd say maybe on the horizontal since you do woodworking. It would save having a spindle sander and the related costs for new drums for it.

+1 on running a 9" disc off of your KMG's VFD.
No need on 3hp as said. I run a 1.5 and after playing with the VFD's settings can barely hear a change when really hogging.

I'm a newbie and really want a minimill for the precision it allows, but with collets, a good vise, and other tooling you'll get close to the $1,000 with it even if you get a deal on Craigslist...

[Hengelo_77]

My sugestion is to stuff the 1000 in your back pocket and make a few knives.
Then buy whatever you end up needing

[12345678910]

My sugestion is to stuff the 1000 in your back pocket and make a few knives.
Then buy whatever you end up needing

That's good advice, but some people have trouble holding onto it.


I could spend that 1,000 and then some just on lighting, benchtops and storage.

Be sure to install plenty of lighting, electricity,



I would do these
KMG accessories, small wheel attachment,
dust collector - but I'd build something - The bag types aren't that good
and you want to seperate wood dust from steel dust.
air compressor, nothing huge, just handy to have.

I would do these Eventually
Kiln, probably Sugar Creek
Horizontal - build one down the road.

I wouldn't do these
KMG Tooling arm? it's just a $30 piece of steel with a hole in it, make it yourself.
Upgrade KMG to 3hp - much more expensive for the motor, controller and wiring - and I don't see the need.


Benchtops, storage, Lighting
Buy or build benchtops that you can get roller cabinets underneath.
It's nice having a drawer for stuff
Buy roller cabinets that have ball bearing slides, not friction slides.
Just 3-5 of those should kill 1K$

Lighting
I like the daylight fluorescent
cover the walls with steel siding, or paint the walls white
White paint reflects 85% of the light or so

[tryppyr]

Typo there I hope Greg. No need for carbide drill bits, not at this stage anyway. I never used them myself except for drilling a hardened tang.

Not a typo, Patrice. I just figured it was better to buy once rather than buying crap and burning them up on work-hardened pieces. Besides, as I said, good drill bits are very versatile.

[David Sharp]

I agree with everybody about the small wheel attachment.
The 9" disc is next on my list.

I would make sure you have all the small things:
files (not to shape the knife just small adjustments, de-burring, etc...)
drill bits (not a drill index go to Enco or similar and buy multiples of the sizes needed)
file guide
supplies (steel, handle material, pins, etc...)
Small surface plate and height gauge (Enco or similar)
Spring clamps (for glue up)

Just off the top of my head.

[cbr900son]

Knock out those small things like files etc and then id look into kmg accessories. Small wheel attachment with 2" and 3/4" wheel is nice. A good drill press and bandsaw are really nice to have. Invest in quality blades, bits, and sandpaper/belts.

[Patrice Lemée]

Not a typo, Patrice. I just figured it was better to buy once rather than buying crap and burning them up on work-hardened pieces. Besides, as I said, good drill bits are very versatile.

Well I have no idea if we are talking about the same thing. But to clarify what I am talking about, you can buy good quality non-carbide drill bits. Carbide is not a level of quality but a type of material. They also demand a very rigid setup or they can break.

[tryppyr]

Well I have no idea if we are talking about the same thing. But to clarify what I am talking about, you can buy good quality non-carbide drill bits. Carbide is not a level of quality but a type of material. They also demand a very rigid setup or they can break.

Fundamentally, don't buy cheap drill bits that will round out the first time you hit a hard patch. I think we can agree on that.

[Tune_up]

Patrice, “Dust collector - You are right there. If you can make it dust extraction instead it makes things easier” could you explain the difference? I hadn’t thought about being able to use the VFD for both.

[Tune_up]

Hengelo_77, That’s probably the best advice, but as 12345678910 said it’s hard to hold onto and these other toys are more fun.

[Tune_up]

121345678910, could you expand on building a dust collector yourself, I am considering building this http://billpentz.com/woodworking/cyc...ycloneplan.cfm , do you have another source of plans? Is there a way to separate wood from steel dust without two systems or cleaning between use?

[Tune_up]

David66, I am fairly set on small tools, but I am sure I will have to pick up additional things as I need them. Things like a height gauge and RC tester are on the list in the future.

[Patrice Lemée]

By dust extraction I mean blowing dust outside instead of collecting it. It would be much better if you can do that, especially if you want to do both wood and steel on the same system. Some people use a steel drum outside filled with water.

[12345678910]

121345678910, could you expand on building a dust collector yourself, I am considering building this http://billpentz.com/woodworking/cyc...ycloneplan.cfm , do you have another source of plans? Is there a way to separate wood from steel dust without two systems or cleaning between use?

I was thinking
Thien Cyclone

http://www.cgallery.com/jpthien/cy.htm


I just use shop vacs with water in the bottom, but am collecting and planning for a big cyclone unit.

I don't know any way to separate wood and metal except to have separate machines and separate dust systems for each.

I don't blow outside because i need to keep the heat in during winter.

[Tune_up]

thanks for the link

[Tune_up]

Most of the year that would be possible, and during the summer might even be nice, (not planning on AC).