Basic tools to start?

Josh K

Josh K

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Sep 29, 2008
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I'm thinking of making a couple of smaller items, and I was wondering what I need to start. First off of course is some steel, I've been thinking 1095 or 01, cheap and easily available.

Second would be the tools. Of course I could just use a vise and a file, but that's no fun right? :) Can anyone give me a basic rundown / costed list for some of these? I'm thinking small belt sander, grinder, small band saw (do they make these small?).
 
For starters use a 10XX steel easier to heat treat correctly at home. 1080,1084 even 1070 is OK.
A decent starter grinder is the Sear's 2X42 bout 120 bucks. Look in the first couple of pages of posts and you will see several threads on it.
Stan
 
SBuzek said:
For starters use a 10XX steel easier to heat treat correctly at home. 1080,1084 even 1070 is OK.
A decent starter grinder is the Sear's 2X42 bout 120 bucks. Look in the first couple of pages of posts and you will see several threads on it.
Stan
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If I can't heat treat it in my oven (max 550 F) I'm going to be sending it out for the HT. :)

I'll look that up. Thanks. :thumbup:
 
I was wondering about that HF belt sander... Total crap or worth picking up with one of the 20% off coupons? Both it and the craftsman have 1/3 HP motors... I will eventually do a NWG but just wondering if the HF would get me by for a while being as it is 1/4 the cost...

(not trying to hijack your thread, figured you could use the info as well)
 
Josh K said:
If I can't heat treat it in my oven (max 550 F) I'm going to be sending it out for the HT. :)

I'll look that up. Thanks. :thumbup:
Click to expand...

You'll definitely be sending out for heat treat then :D You need upwards of 1500'F to heat treat 1095 or 01 steel. (but you already know that !)
 
amcardon said:
I was wondering about that HF belt sander... Total crap or worth picking up with one of the 20% off coupons? Both it and the craftsman have 1/3 HP motors... I will eventually do a NWG but just wondering if the HF would get me by for a while being as it is 1/4 the cost...

(not trying to hijack your thread, figured you could use the info as well)
Click to expand...

I have an HF 1x40 I love it. Yes is is worth the 60.00. It will do every thing you need a sander for.
 
You can Heat treat 10XX and O1 with simple Lump "cowboy" Charcoal and Fan. You can use Oil, water or brine depending on the steel you are using. You heat to non magnetic and quench. If it seems that easy because it is. Call me I be glad to help you.
 
I use the sear 2x42 ginder and it works just fine, not ideal but it gets the job done. A 10" ryobi drill press from homedepot, and a 6" grinder and some paper wheels for sharpening. Also, belts, sanding paper, flat and round files, eye and breathing safety.

-frank

Oh yea and a nice website.;):D
 
Even a real basic drill press helps a lot. Get you a couple clamps to keep your work from whipping around and kicking your butt if the bit binds when it breaks through. Cutting oil is a must. Buy a couple HSS bits in the sizes you plan to use, instead of a whole set of cheap ones, most of which you might not need. I use my Dremel a LOT; mostly with cut-off discs and sanding drums. It's pretty darn handy.

Like Pancho said, get as many belts and good sandpaper as you can. DON'T buy the cheap HF sandpaper, it doesn't give a very consistent finish at all. 3M wet/dry automotive paper is pretty decent, but I'm sure there's better stuff out there. GoMike was looking into a group purchase of some high-quality stuff; not sure if that's going to go through or what.
 
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