aspiring maker - seeks equipment advice

[jrgannon]

I am a longtime knife collector who has finally decided to try his hand at knife making. I am hoping that my fellow readers on this website would be able to suggest equipment, knife making supplies and suppliers.

Let me outline the type of knives I plan to make and the space constraints of the area I will use as my shop. First of all this will be a part-time weekend endeavor. I plan to make small liner-lock and button-lock gents folders and also try my hand at fixed blade bowie / fighters. Primarily I am interested and will concentrate on making folders. I plan to focus on the stock removal not out of choice but rather out of the constraints of my work space, the fact that I’m making folders and I live in a quite suburban neighborhood in Central New Jersey and would likely encounter problems with noise ordinances if I spend Saturday and Sunday banging away on an anvil in my backyard.

My shop space will be ½ of a two car garage. I am looking at each tool from the perspective of not wanting to replace it anytime in the their near future – i.e. I’ll pay up for quality, reliability and performance even if it means I need to up my budget or buy machinery over time. I am able to spend upwards of $5,000 initially outfitting my shop and buying consumables and knife making supplies – steel, handle material, etc.

So now that I outlined some background – what should I buy – A Grinder, Drill Press, Band Saw, Milling Machine, Vise, Misc. Hand Tools etc?. I would greatly appreciate specific answers including what the readers feel are the best manufacturers, suppliers, should I buy new or used, has anyone ever acquired equipment on ebay or at an auction?, tricks of the trade, etc. to help get me started. One other note, I plan to use high end natural handle material such as ivory, abalone, and black lip mother of pearl. Does any have a good source for this material? Finally, besides eye protection what other safety equipment should I have – respirator, etc. and does anyone know of any knife making classes in New Jersey?

Thank you and regards,

John

 

[Darren Ellis]

Hi John, Well, I'll start off by making three recommendations...all from the same place, so you could probably get them shipped together to save on freight.

1) KMG Grinder with VFD/motor setup. - add whatever tooling you think you'll need to start out and this grinder allows easy upgrades of specific tooling at a later time

http://www.beaumontmetalworks.com/grinder.html


2) Beaumont Horizontal grinder - again, spend the extra for the variable speed. Also, get the extension table so you can keep fewer belts in the shop.

http://www.beaumontmetalworks.com/em-page1.html


3) Beauont Horizontal grinder - variable speed.

http://www.beaumontmetalworks.com/disks.html

Others: Drill press, surface grinder (a must for folder work).



-Darren

 

[A C Richards]

You may want to check out some of the threads in the toolshed etc. I started out very minimaly. I had a 9" disc made and put it on a 1/2 horse 1750 rpm motor. Wired it to reverse and that was may first tool. Now I have a 1hp VS machine that is to die for. I still do not own a belt grinder, would like one someday but have not needed one yet. Look at some of the work guys are doing without any major tools, like Wade Colter. The flat disc can get a piece very flat and with a little practice and work I can get less than .001 accuarcy in flat and parallel. A good Drill press is a must the tighter the better or a mill. Some feel the mini mill works well and it does look nice. I still would prefer a mill/drill if I had room limitations but I will never give up my full size knee mill. You have a pretty good amount to get started. So have fun and just keep workin at it.

Chuck