Anyone made a knife with just a disk sander?

K

KFU

Part Time Knifemaker, Moderator
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I was wondering if anyone has made a knife with just a disk sander? I am debating on whether I should get a cheap Harbor Freight belt sander or a large 12" disc sander for my first tool. I have many hand tools that I can use for finish work, but this will be primarily for blade shaping.
 
I made my first couple with a 4 x 36, 9" disc combo. The belt was only really good for flattening and a little bit of radiusing. I did the rest of the blade on the disc and some with files. Look around for a Delta belt/disc combo, you can usually find some for 200 or under. The disc is great for roughing out a blade though and getting it to shape. You can also use it for flat grinds if you dont mind working blind on one side.
 
The disc grinder is the most used tool in my shop, of all of the grinders that I own. To grind a blade and not over heat and make the paper last longer put either a 1/8" rubber or cork backing on the disc, the rubber i use is from K & G and will make the paper last up to 5 times longer. My disc grinder is a 1hp 3ph motor with a variable foot switch.
Tony
 
Most of the time folks that are grinding metal by disc grinder are using about a 9" disc. Usually, the bigger disc can be tough to get the right abrasives for.

Take care, Craig
 
Lots of people use disc sanders. Do not get the 12" version, because you are stuck with buying 12" discs. If you can get a 9" version - or better yet, one of Beamont's 8 7/8 versions, you can use cheap sanpaper sheets cut to size.

All that said, a 2 x 72 grinder is all that and a bag of chips. Choose the Coote over the Grizzly as a low end entry.

Just my 2 cents - more coming I'm sure. :thumbup:

Rob!
 
Definitely do not get the 12"er, like mentioned above you are stuck buying discs. I have a 9" disc and I have not purchased discs for it once. Ever. sheets and a can of 3M77, and a razor knife.

To answer your question I had a 4x36 with a 6" disc on the side and I ground the bevels on the disc, did the rough profiling on the belt. 60 grit 36" belts do not last long at all. However the 6" dia sweeping plunge is pretty awesome. Here's my first.
PICT0087.jpg
 
I found a 10 in direct drive with 3/4 hp. Will thqat work? If not does someone know a good machine?
 
10" is not 9", you will still end up buying discs. So what is your price range?
 
I only have the 4x36" and am kicking myself as I ignored the disk for a long time. Now I use is much more than the belt- but still want a real grinder some day...
 
Bowdenknxvll@comcast said:
I was wondering if anyone has made a knife with just a disk sander? I am debating on whether I should get a cheap Harbor Freight belt sander or a large 12" disc sander for my first tool. I have many hand tools that I can use for finish work, but this will be primarily for blade shaping.
Click to expand...

I own a knife Aldo Conto (one of the best italian damascus makers) made which is completely forged with a blade ground with... a hand held angle grinder!!!
And it looks great!
But he has a hand that can crush billiard balls into dust :D
I'll post pictures if you want (when I'm back home).
 
Thanks for the info. It looksw like those discs from beaumont mounted to a motor of my choice would be the way to go. I am thinking a motor that runs about 1750 would be ideal. Does that sound about right?
 
If you have 400 to spend, I agree with numbers. Get a disc and a motor, if you can pick up a 1 hp or higher for around 200 you can get both discs and then when you upgrade to a grinder, you already have a motor. You should look for around a 1.5 hp 1750 rpm. I suspect you arent wired for 230, so make sure its 115 or 115/230 (or if older 110) and unless you have or can get and get wired, a vfd, you want single phase.
 
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