Could a KMG style tooling arm be made from wood?

scotchleaf

scotchleaf

Joined
Oct 23, 2006
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I have an old extra heavy duty weight bench with tubular steel construction. The tube I want to employ as the "tool arm holder" has odd inside dimensions: 1.7 by 2.7 inches. This isn't a common size steel tube, from what I can tell. I am considering a long redwood rectangle as a substitute, perhaps sheathed with metal...what will the problems be?
 
You'll need something ridged.....Any wood ( other than Perhaps, Lignum Vitae) would be too flexible....
allow too much vibration.....
 
working with sparks and such, metals are your only real choice. With that said check this crazy thing out:



This photo is from Knifedogs.com shot and built by Deb (DoggyLV)
 
As USA knife maker sells the 2x2 inch tube for $8.89, and amazon has it for $14, it seems like asking for more trouble than it is worth to save the small amount of money.
 
Ipe is a beautiful would. Any thoughts on fatigue over time? I like the idea of adding some warmth to the mostly steel grinder.
 
I used my stock KMG steel toolbar as a pattern and made 7 toolbars from aluminum 1.5 x1.5 stock. The cost of the 7 toolbars including 2 drills and taps and including steel 1/2 inch "all thread" stock for axles cost about $22.00 per tool arm on average. I have been using them for at least 3 years now and I love them. I sold all my steel toolbars ( at a very low price compared to stock toolbars) to a maker with multiple grinders and so I made both of us happy. They would be much easier to make than hardwood arms and would perform much better in my humble opinion. At my supplier the steel stock was very close in price to the aluminum but aluminum does not rust and is so nice and light to lift.. I have had no vibration problems or tacking problems....or any problems. Larry
 
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