Can anyone help me out on some equipment questions?

reeltitanium

reeltitanium

Joined
Jan 18, 2008
Messages
24
Thanks for any help you can give me regarding my effort to pursue knife making something I have wanted to do for many years!

Here is the equipment I have available for me to get started. Was wondering about a fair price and what additional equipment I should look for. As for the condition each piece listed is in excellent condition.
1- Milwaukee Drill Press Model- 120 IND
1- Milwaukee Cut-Off Saw Model RF 155
1- Carbide 6" grinder with 2-12" x 4" fully adjustable tables
Thanks your help is appreciated!
1- Rockwell 1 1/2 HP 7 1/2" w/ dual polishing wheels
1- Rockwell 1 1/2 HP 7" Grinder
1- 150 mm Vise Weighs 40 lbs or so
 
You have everything you need, but you might want a heat treat oven as there are advantages to doing your own heat treat. I actually started out with just a dremel and files, made 2 knives from that, but now I added a bench grinder, drill, and heat treat oven.

You might also want to get some files and file guide for finishing. I did something similar by converting my EdgePro for knifemaking.
 
cotdt said:
You have everything you need...
Click to expand...

It is impossible to have EVERYTHING you NEED!!:D

I have several hundred tools that are 'essential' in one way or another, but I think a high-quality 2 inch belt grinder is close to top of the list.

One of the best approaches is to start making stuff and adding tools and their need is manifest.
 
cotdt said:
You have everything you need, but you might want a heat treat oven as there are advantages to doing your own heat treat.
Click to expand...

*sorry for the thread-jack*
cotdt, could you expand a bit on what minimum requirements are needed in a heat treat oven for knife making? (in your opinion)

also pics of your modified edgepro would be very cool :D
 
+1 to a 2x72 grinder.
Some low cost options are the KMG, and Coote grinders..
The kmg is very popular here. (http://www.beaumontmetalworks.com/)
I personally have a coote, and it runs fine, just not nearly as customizable/versatile, from what I hear...it's a couple hundred cheaper, though.

A forge would be a good investment as well, for heat treating and forging.
 
a77 said:
*sorry for the thread-jack*
cotdt, could you expand a bit on what minimum requirements are needed in a heat treat oven for knife making? (in your opinion)

also pics of your modified edgepro would be very cool :D
Click to expand...

A small 4000W oven can reach 2200F which can heat treat any steel, so that would be what you would want. Less power would work if you only heat treat the more common steels. 1084 can be heat treated with just a torch.

My EdgePro is just modified to be able to take on any angle. I still use the stock EdgePro for knife sharpening. The stone in this picture is a Shapton Pro 220 grit:

modifiededgepro.jpg


I can't get perfect flat bevels with my bench grinder, but with an EdgePro/file-guide-system the bevels are always perfect. The Shapton stones eat through the CPM-M4 knife (pictured) very easily.
 
Thanks for the info cotdt! So 2200F is more than enough for most knifemaking needs. Good to know.

(Now put that toilet seat down before the wife comes in! Hehe :) )
 
Thanks and please keep the suggestions coming. Also any opinions as to the $ value of the listed equipment? Thanks again!
 
4000W is not exactly small to most makers. Three of the four Paragon "knife making" ovens are less than 4000W. All of EvenHeat's KF and KH series are less than 4000W. The two "knife making" kilns from Sugar Creek are both significantly under 4000W...

To go over 4000W from Paragon you're looking at ~$2300. You can send out a lot of knives for that much money or you can buy a nice 24" oven from Sugar Creek and send out a lot of knives for that much money.

Caveat Emptor doesn't just apply to things you buy with money.
 
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