basic tools "wood shaping"

T

takao

Joined
Jul 1, 1999
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406
I currently use a file and sand paper for shaping of handles however, my new project has finger groves and that it takes "forever" with a file to shape and was wondering, what the professionals use for shaping handles. I was looking a belt/disc sander will it be worth the money or should i continue with the file and sand paper method. any replies would be greatly appreciated.
 
use a drum sanding set for finger grooves, my brother makes the handles, but he does the handles using only sandpaper, he has special ways of finishing different woods too, if you need any help with the finish you want just ask me.
 
what is a drum sanding set? My last project took me about six months with a file and sand paper, my hack saw had trouble cutting the wood for some reason too. I basically trying to make kits at this point, and would appreciate any advice any one will give.
 
Hi, Takao
Drum sanders are little drums covered with sandpaper. They come in different diameters to match the job you are doing. They have a metal stem that extends out to be used in a drill press or a hand held drill. You can buy different grit sandpaper for them, so you can hog out huge amounts of wood or do finish sanding.
The sandpaper is replaceable so you only need to buy the drums once.
Most mail order woodworking and local home centers have them for sale. You might want to start out with a set of drum sanders, to find the sizes you like best.
They are really reasonably priced and will save you HOURS of work, plus the drums are more fun than a file
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Good Luck!


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Do not mistake the edge of a rut for the horizon

WinDancer@OlyWa.net

www.olywa.net/windancer/webknives.htm

 
Ah now I understand what they are. Dremel sells those. do you have exprience with a belt sander? is it worth the money? thank you both for the replies.
 
I have a belt sander that I use primarily for stock removal of the steel .I have tried it on the handles but have found that it tends to take off too much and is very difficult to control. I have only been trying this for a few months so it may get easier with experience.
 
Thank you for you reply, I guess I'll hold off on the belt sander for now. Let me know if it gets easier for you with your handle material.
 
don't use a hack saw for cutting wood, it's for metal, try a coping saw, they have less tpi, and a thinner blade, specifically for cutting wood.
 
I use a combination of a dremel-type (made by Ryobi) and my Delta 1"X30" belt sander. The Ryobi is great for tight finger notches behind the guard and the belt sander is great (using about 120 grit paper) for contouring
the hand for a good palm fit. Take it easy though. Otherwise, as mentioned previously, you can go too deep in a big hurry. The rotary tool certainly allows you more control. Take it slow and everything should
come together.

>> DeWayne <<
 
if you don't want to spend lots of money, try altering your design for less shaping involved. my next project is a sheffield bowie for my dad, it has mother of pearl handles, and has very little shaping invovled. as for the belt sander, it's a good tool to have for fiting your scales to the tang on a full tang knife. you could get a horizontal disk sander too. if you do buy the belt sander you can make knives using the stock removal method, and there are tons of other things you can do with a decent belt sander. flat hallow and convex grind, polish, satin finish, ect.
 
What size belt, do you use magnum 1X30 or bigger as for the disc sander i've seen "Delta" brand belt/disc sander for $87.00 1/5 HP.
 
the delta you found, is the one i have, except mine is 1/4hp. it'll be fine for wood, but take off the platen. it's a little weak as for blade grinding, that's why i plan on buying a j&l vertcal.
 
what grit belt do you use for shaping the handles, and how long does a belt normally last?
 
thank you everyone for the replies. Got one last question for guards, my current project has a brass guard that i need to shape. I'm currnetly using a file to make the shape, and was wondering if it was safe to use a belt sander that I was going to purchase soon. Maybe holding the guard with a vise grip while grinding or continue with a file. I'm not to sure about the "bite" that a sander has, or if i'm going to chasing my guard down the road. Thank you for the replies.
 
Takao,
I think now is the time when you decide just how much your comitted to knifemaking . The reason I say this is because you will be hard pressed to get the same results by hand that you can get with a good variable speed belt sander. The beauty of a good belt sander is the ability to make almost anything your mind can immagine,rather than limiting yourself. Belt sanders like Bader, BurrKing , Dozier, Wilton, Hardcore,are all excellent the key is to make sure when you buy one to get a VARIABLE speed machine .This allows you to0 work at your own speed.It allowes you to blend ,contour,shape Hard to soft surfaces together without burning your knife handle or blade .It also allows you to utilize finer grits without the potential of burning your knife .
Another thing that is a huge plus to owning a good quality belt sander is the attachments you can get to convert your belt sander from a flat grinder to a hollow grinder, you can purchase a small wheel attachment that would shape and blend those finger grooves in minutes. The combinations are limitless and will improve your abilities as soon as it arrives .
Once you get one ,you must get to know your machine you will need to know everything about it,it should become an extention of your mind. Sounds like B-S I know but it's a Zen experience.In time you and your machine will become one and thats when you will create things that just kinda happend,things you didn't even know you could build . Hope this Informes as well inspires, now go out and build a great knife.
Aloha!!! Ken Onion
 
for shaping handles i use 120grt alox. it won't make extremely deeep scratches but, it'll take down the material pretty fast.
 
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