bandsaw question

H

Hank Zudd

Joined
Mar 1, 2002
Messages
228
is there a bandsaw that's good for both roughing out scales & blade blanks? probably won't be using more than 1/4" steel. Cutting out the scales is just faster on a bandsaw, I'm really looking to cut some blanks. are there any alternate methods besides waterjet, flame, plasma or some other machine work? is it worth having a pattern sent to one of the steel suppliers & let them cut the blank (as some advertise) ? thanks
 
As to cutting out patterns, I either use the saw, or just grind it out on the belt grinder.

I can actually profile a knife from a blank faster on the grinder than the saw. I just don't like all the extra metal dust.

The other ways you mention can run into a few$$. It might benifit someone that was making many knives of the same design.

I would stay away from plasma cutting as it can leave real hard edges.
Same for flame, plus the added hazard of stress risers.

Maybe some others have more info on this.
 
is the jet grinder wheel (as sold by various kife making stuff suppliers) attachment worth the money if one is only doing a few (6-10) blanks a year? I know there are hellacious grinders made by lots of guys, but I'm on a real money & space budget. I'm assuming you mean you can grind out a blade faster on a belt, not a rock wheel grinder. Thanks for your imput-pm
 
I have a band saw like the one mike hull gave the link for. It works great for what I want. I have a steel and wood blade. It is far better for me as an amature. It is a bit of time verses cost. If you are making a lot of blanks is still takes a fair bit of time to cut on my machine. The cost of the saw baldes is also a consideration. I would get one just to have around. It will always be usefull. Once you have tried it consider the time and cost of saw blades you would save buy getting the blanks supplied. I don't think you can loose by having one of those machines I use mine for all sorts of things. Ussally in the vertical mode.

Mine has a shelf bolted between the legs this stops a bit of rattle noise and gives me a great place to store off cuts. I may even put in a second tray when I am not so lazy.
 
Originally posted by Mike Hull
One of these horizontal/vertical metal cutting bandsaws will work fine for cutting wood also.
You just have to change the blade from metal to woodcutting.

I believe they are on sale now, plus Harbor Freight pays shipping on purchases of $50.00 or more.
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=37151

I used mine for years on wood and metal, before I got a dedicated wood bandsaw.
Click to expand...
i use one of these bandsaws with just the bi-metal blade. if it cuts steel,it will cut wood/micarta. i also have some of my patterns laser cut by admiral steel. there is a minumim of a $150 run on the laser and they won't cut 1/4"steel,only up to about 5/32"s. since you stress cost! just get bandsaw and then order a bi-metal from one of the supply houses until you get a good selling pattern that you want to reduce the profile time on. also i have them oversized about 1/8" and then grind this off to get rid of any burnt steel around the edge. Happy grinding:)
 
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