A barrage of questions...

[Cthulhu]

Heyo all,
Ive got a few questions lined up.
Ive gotten three motors(salvedged, one 1/12 hp from an air conditioner i carried home on my bike!!, a 1/3 hp from heater and a 3/4 from my dads firehouse.) I have them all wired up and they all seem to be in good working order, I think one of them will be my buffer and the other a belt grinder. I know i can make the grinder myself but with the prices of the contact wheel and idler pulley, would it be just as cheap to buy a craftsman and replace the motor? Also would an idler pulley made for a car do the job? I saw the grinder in the Texas Knife catalog that came without the motor, but the price is still a bit steep for my current cash-flow. Are there other companies who offer grinders without motors? Also for my heat treat, is it possible to do this with my MAPP-Oxy torch? Ive heard that some have done this with a propane torch. One last question, Im going to go to collage soon so i was wondering if any collages actually offer blacksmithing, bladesmithing, or whatever degrees i may take that would givee me good backing in knifemaking (plus an excuse to use their equipment

) Any replies would be greatly appresiated!



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[Brett Bennett]

Cthulhu,

Check this out for making an inexpensive grinder: http://www.geocities.com/beaumontmetal/index.html
You may also consider something similar to the 'Big Red' that Wayne Goddard describes in Blade Magazine.
Rob can also make you some wheels for a very good price.
I think I know which grinder (minus motor) you are referring to. They don't come any cheaper from what I have seen.
I started with a Craftsman (already had it, actually). Needless to say, I never finished a blade with it before switching to something more suitable. The motors are integral, so substituting your own motor will be a major undertaking. For the new maker, you can't do much better than the Grizzly.
Some colleges do offer knifemaking courses. Sorry, but I do not know which ones. You might try finding a maker in your area.

Brett

 

[BadBamaUmp]

I was perusing an ole Enco catalog and ran across a 2x48 grinder with buffer for $95. It was the same as the Griz except being 2x48. I'm pretty sure it wouldn't take much to add 24" to the grinder. This was the 1998 catalog.

1 800-873-3626.

Will