Anybody using just a disk gringer for grinds?

G

gixxer1237

Joined
Mar 10, 2010
Messages
419
I'm to the point I want a grinder and all the good ones are out of my price range. But dics grinders are right in it. So do any of you just use a disk grinder to make blades?
 
Last edited by a moderator:
I guess I am not clear on what you mean by a discount grinder. Are you asking about the harbour freight 1x30 or...
 
Why ic, I wasn't sure because your post said discount grinder twice and didn't say disc grinder anywhere
 
You definitely have to watch the auto-correct on this forum; it will jack up your post! I think there are a few makers who primarily use a disc grinder. I've had a 12" disc for years and it is very useful but I wouldn't even try to make a complete blade unless it was was variable speed and reversible. Mine is neither.

Bob
 
The one I'm looking at is both.

ETA- I have. 4x36 that could be used to convex plus I'm have probably 20 files or so. Just takes so long using just files. My time is valuable to me. Even if it cuts the hand filing in half it would be worth it. I may just start scrounging the parts for a GIB build.
 
I've been running 3 variable, reversible 9" discs for probably 5-7 years
longer with just one. I do all of my roughing on a belt then go to a disc
at 180Grit. If its a flat ground blade its definitley going to see the disc
after roughing either on the platen or a 10" or bigger wheel. I prefer the
wheel cause its just like grinding a tapered tang its easier if theres a
hollow grind started there. I will say this--if its a flat grind its easier to
do a dead flat on the disc vs the belt. Would be tougher without roughing
on a wheel but definitley would work.
Ken.
 
gixxer1237 said:
The one I'm looking at is both.

ETA- I have. 4x36 that could be used to convex plus I'm have probably 20 files or so. Just takes so long using just files. My time is valuable to me. Even if it cuts the hand filing in half it would be worth it. I may just start scrounging the parts for a GIB build.
Click to expand...

I did the GIB build. The nice thing about it is you can build it on a budget and upgrade components later or you can build exactly what you want. I did a lot of customizing on mine and I feel I have a grinder every bit as good as one costing three times the money. Here's a link to my GIB build.

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1133728-FNG-Building-a-GIB

Bob
 
Kiku Matsuda works on disc grinders and bench grinder wheels and he has no trouble turning out masterpieces.

That being said, I'm not him.... so if I had 600 bucks I'd pick a Grizzly 2x72 over a disk grinder.
 
I have the 3-disk interchangeable hub from Nielsen, and a 3/4hp vfd. I could have built the 2x72 of my dreams with what I spent on it (though I'm a welder, so the frame costs only time).
I'd really hate to be without it, though, it's a great machine. I personally don't build knives with just the disk, but it would definitely be way easier to do folders with just the disk than just the 2x72.
For fixed blades, I'll take the belt grinder- I find I need the power and the hollow grinding capability.
 
I made a thread just like this one a few weeks back.

In my case I have a cheap little 6". I had no idea if the thing had any use for knifemaking. I've now used it quite a bit on a couple of blades, and to taper my first tang. It has come in very handy, and I'd run to buy another one (bigger and better this time) in a heartbeat if this one failed. I'm using crappy psa's right now because I have them, but will get appropriate abrasives when these run out.

Only regret I have using it is that I didn't pay close enough attention and hit the corner of the ricasso at the plunge on my blade that I've worked so hard on. One split second ruined something that I was finally getting how I wanted. I've already reworked that plunge making a new one by pushing back into the ricasso once before.

An excellent (indispensable) addition to your kit. Just be careful.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top