Cooling blade between passes on grinder

[Gab-e]

Hi everyone, I'm still new to knifemaking and only started this summer to grind post HT (Aeb-l). For reference, my grinder is mounted on a heavy duty worktable that I salvaged from trash at work. When grinding, I simply roll it outside in the driveway as I can't do it inside currently for many reasons .

I found out quickly that dipping the blade every other pass in water can be quite messy and tends to turn my work rest into a chunk of rust...So the other day, the idea occured to me that I could blast the blade with compressed air instead of using water. Tried it tonight and it actually worked great; it takes about the same time and I didn't have to clean or dry anything after I was done. I probably wouldn't have tried it if working inside as this would probably make a mess. For those grinding blades outside, as any of you ever tried this/using this method on a regular basis?

Gab

 

[AVigil]

Glue 2 kitchen sponges together at the base to form a "taco". Mount that by your dip tank and drag your blade between the sponges and it will eliminate the drip problem

 

[GABaus]

I don't have access to compressed air, but it sounds like a good idea.

 

[ThomStewart]

My drip tank/dunk basin or whatever is a Lowe's bucket under the grinder. I dip the blade and rap it on the lip of the bucket to kick off the majority of the water. I have no problem with a rusty rest.

 

[Randy3000]

Speaking of which, how hard or expensive is it to put a muffler on things like air compressors, leaf blowers, and lawn mowers? They can make a 200hp car idle at near silent level but small engines just have to blow your ear drums out and make running indoors difficult.

 

[Aidenag]

Glue 2 kitchen sponges together at the base to form a "taco". Mount that by your dip tank and drag your blade between the sponges and it will eliminate the drip problem

LOVE that idea!

 

[Gilbert M]

I use Dawn and baking soda in my water ( baking soda idea from Kevin Cashen) baking soda really helps with the rust.
Gilbert

 

[Scaniaman]

I know of one very talented knife maker over here that grinds post HT and has a compressed air setup. It does seem like a pretty clean and easy setup compared to misting for example.

 

[Gab-e]

Thanks for sharing everyone.
The sponge taco + dawn and baking soda are really interesting ideas. I did try at some point to use a single sponge to 'wipe' the blade with but now wish I had tought of this

Randy, my air compressor stays in the garage with the door open slightly just to let the grinder power cord out. Noise is infernal inside but much quieter than the grinder outside. Keeps the neighbors happy