Couple handy uses for angle iron.

[L6steel]

I had a 8" long chunk of 4" by 4" angle iron and decided to make a couple things with it. I cut it into a 3" long and a 5" long piece. I made a drilling jig with the 5" piece for drilling holes lengthwise in 4 or 5" pieces of handle material for stick tangs. First I made sure the angle iron was square to my drill press table and then I bolted a piece of 1 1/2" by 1 1/2" angle to it. The 1 1/2" piece is veritcal, about 2" from the end and square to the bottom of the big piece of angle. It acts as a rest and guide to clamp the wood to. Sure is nice being able to keep everthing square so it matches up with the guard and pommel.
With the 3" piece, I made sure the angle on it was square and I use it to set my platent up square on my wilton for grinding things like the tang end of liner lock blades or anything that needs to be ground square. It was always a hassel squaring up the platent with a speed square but with the piece of angle iron, I just clamp it to the stock support and push that against the platen with the set screw loose, clamp the platent to the angle iron and then tighten the set screw. Fast and simple and almost fool proof. 90 degrees everytime.

 

[C L Wilkins]

Michael,
The angle iron is great idea! The key to doing this is to keep your file on the same plane. The angle iron is more than wide enough to do this.

I have one of these and they work like a charm. I thought the price was a little steep until I saw what I was getting for the money. They are made of A2 hardened to 61-62Rc. It will last a lifetime.

Uncle Al is 'da man!

C Wilkins

 

[sattley]

Clamp a piece of angle openside down point up like and inverted V to your work rest, and you can make perfect 45's for dovetailing your bolster to your scales.

 

[L6steel]

Great idea Sattley!!