Aaron Gough inspired me

L

Lo/Rez

Joined
Feb 10, 2013
Messages
1,019
I've always been into knives and thought that I would start making some when I retired. I was watching some videos on YouTube and saw Aaron's video on building the filing jig. I thought why should I wait for years to begin making knives and built the jig. I started out with a small Kiridashi style knife in W2.



It didn't take me long to realize that I don't like filing. I borrowed a 1x30 grinder from a buddy of mine.



I watched a few more videos and made a grinding jig.



A video or two later and I made a forge.





I did some file work on the spines and went for an industrial kind of look.





Realizing that the grinder would be a limiting factor for me I found a guy selling a prototype grinder on another forum I frequent and bought it. I built a bench for it and picked up a drill press and variable speed grinder on sale at Canadian Tire. The VFD I bought on eBay and mounted it in a dry box because it's not dust proof.





This is my first knife. It's based on a Murray Carter paring knife design.



Realizing that it's going to get messy and I want to try to keep my garage clean I made a dust filter from an old furnace fan.



That's where I'm at right now. I've made a few hunting knife designs and will be putting them on blanks in the next few days and will start grinding again. I will be ordering an oven in the next week or so.
 
Nice job! Looks like a great set-up.
Any pics of how you set up the inside of your spark trap?
 
Looking good mate! I'm always really pleased to hear that someone has started doing something they're passionate about after seeing one of my videos, it's very satisfying and is a big part of why I keep making them!

I can't help but notice that you don't have a vise or clamp for your drill press (at least not that I can see), you should make sure to get one ASAP so you can operate the drill press with your hands away from the blade. Nothing worse than losing a finger to a new hobby!

Also beware of the spark trap... I made one similar, the vacuum was enough to pull the water away from the bottom of the inlet pipe, the swarf accumulated there and then caught fire! I now stay away from dust collecting sparks, and instead use a water bucket directly beneath the platen.

Look forward to seeing your finished work!
 
Hey Lo/Rez,
Nice set up! Not sure if you did it or not, but you may want to put a Pc of expanded metal at the bottom of your chute for your dust collector? Nothing worse than having to fish a blade or tool or ?? from the bottom of your bucket when you accidently lose your grip while grinding! Ask me how I learned that one!
 
Thanks for the replys. The bottom on the pail has a piece of treated lumber dividing the inlet and exhaust. The inlet is cut open about 40% with the opening facing the pail wall. There is a 90 degree elbow on the exhaust. I have water in the bottom of the pail also.



 
PaMtnBkr said:
Hey Lo/Rez,
Nice set up! Not sure if you did it or not, but you may want to put a Pc of expanded metal at the bottom of your chute for your dust collector? Nothing worse than having to fish a blade or tool or ?? from the bottom of your bucket when you accidently lose your grip while grinding! Ask me how I learned that one!
Click to expand...

Good idea. Thanks.
 
Thanks for posting the pics of your spark trap. I know there has been a lot of discussion regarding their design on this forum because of the fire hazard. Have you had any issues with water getting sucked from your bucket outlet to your blower box?
 
You are done man, you are done.
There is no help for you. You will now make better and better knives and build more and more necessary equipment...

:D Good luck.
 
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