Band saw/grinding question.....

rayban

rayban

Joined
Apr 14, 2007
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So now that I'm ready to cut out a profile for a knife with a band saw, I don't dare get too close to my profile line, as I will surely mess up....as I do with wood.......so how do you guys finish (cut out) the smaller radius (radii??) like finger guards, etc?

I would like to know which tools are used and what the various options are.
Thanks!
 
At least you're using a band saw; I'm using an angle grinder. I get most of the material out with the angle grinder, and then use a 1" sanding drum in the drill press. That actually works pretty well.
 
Using a dremel with coarse sanding bands works (you will go through some to do this), rat tail files, die grinder cutting pie wedges out and finishing with a file. You did not mention if you have a belt grinder.
 
Before I got my small wheel attachment I would use a half round file and then finish with sandin drums.Cut out as much as possible witht the bandsawand then touch up.
Stan
 
The key to using a bandsaw accurately is not to cross the line, its seems easy until you get to the line and the 1/2" blade will not bend. Stop back out and make a cross cut to remove that piece, or better yet make some cross cuts especially at curves to have pieces fall away as you cut. This will save alot of time and trouble when you go to profile. Also if you have really tight radiuse, lets say less than 1/2", predrill with a drill. This gives you a very nice inside corner and very little cleanup afterward.

gixxer is right, I have a number of round files to get into the tight places, when its really small I use a dremmel with sanding drum, and I have a set of sanding drum for my drill press from sears.
 
I profile my blades on the belt grinder with a 60 grit belt.

If you don't have a decent grinder, then course files or a drum sander in a drill or drill press is probably the best bet.

Mike L.
 
I have a 2 x 42 Craftsman....and I run 1" belts on it too.
I can see that it takes a little of this and a little of that......makes good sense to me....thanks again guys!!:thumbup:
 
Drilling out the radius is a GREAT idea. Should be pretty easy with step drills too. I use the dremel right now, by the way, but it seems pretty wasteful to me, sanding drum-wise.
 
Thank God for the small wheel attachment on my KMG! Of course, before that I would get it close with the saw, clean it up with the belt over the edge of the platen, and then use a 1/2 round file to finish it.

--nathan
 
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