CPM S30V Grinding

Maqua

Maqua

Joined
Jan 21, 2005
Messages
2,396
Greetings,

I'm curious if CPM S30V can be ground effectively with an ordinary DeWalt bench grinder? Do I need to buy a special wheel for this purpose, or a whole new belt grinder? Any other tricks y'all wanna share?

Many Thanks!
 
That's some tough steel to grind. Are you making a knife or sharpening one? The problem with a bench grinder is they are to fast and heat the steel to quick. Your best bet for grinding a blade is a belt grinder. A 2x72 is the best for knifemaking or a 2x48 is a good beginning grinder. A small 1x30 belt grinder is good for sharpening.
Scott
 
I was planning on making a knife from scratch while I wait for my Randall Made to get made. CPM has a distribution center not too far from me and they gave me a pretty good price on some SV30 and 154CM bar stock.

Are the belt grinders you recommend pretty expensive? Can you still set the angle of the grind, etc? The ones on Texas Knife are way beyond my grasp right now.
 
A bench grinder will grind any steel.. be careful not to heat the blade up... keep a cup of water to "quench" the blade every once in a while... when you feel it getting warm cool it off on the water... the main thing you want to look out for is discoloration in the steel... as long as it stays the same there will be no problem.. also heat moves twards thinner areas this is know as "plastic deformation" I dont want to get to technical.... but the main thing is keep it cool... dont be afraid to try it.. high end steel such as s30v will resist heat better than lowcarbon steel...

Try it on some lowcarbon steel first... just to get a feel for cooling the blade/ metal in the water.

Hope this helps
Hydraulicman
 
I don't recommend using a bench grinder for making bevels. Wayne Goddards book "$50 Knife Shop" does explain how to do it, but just using files would be the ticket.

S30V as you get it from Crucible is plenty soft for filing.

Heattreating is going to be your problem. Then after heat treatment, no more files or grinders. It'll all be handsanding.

It's a lot of work, but you'll have fun!

Get the book.

Steve
 
Excellent! I was looking at having this thing "laser cut" at eMachining, but I will definitely check out Goddard's book. Files are cheaper than technology. Probably better exercise, too.
 
You have chosen an expensive and difficult steel to begin with. Sometimes that is the way to go since regardless there will be much work involved. If this be your very first, and if I were asked, I might suggest a more forgiving and more easily machinable steel. O1 is one that comes to mind.

RL
 
I agree with Roger, a steel like O-1 or my favorite 5160 would be easier and less expensive to start with. Plus you could even heat treat and temper yourself. Those steels are real easy to file.
Scott
 
CPM has some 0-1 and A-2 available, but they have a minimum purchase required, so I figured I'd just gut it out with some 154CM and S30V and let a pro do the heat treating (if I ever get that far!).

I read the $50 Knife Shop last night, but I don't plan on making any forges or ovens yet. I plan to make a full tang knife using a hacksaw and handfiles, maybe using my electric drill for some sanding.
 
Hey that sounds like a plan :D The most important thing is to have fun and don't get frustrated. You can do anything if you put your mind to it. Come here and ask questions. These guys really know their stuff and are a great help. Good luck and enjoy. ;)
Scott
 
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