Cutting Knife Blanks???

[AcridSaint]

Was this a metal blade then? I've never cut steel with anything but standard, 1/16" reinforced cutoff wheels.

 

[lonepine]

Here's a low-cost option and a no-cost option.

Low-cost
Hire a high school kid to cut out your blanks for $7/hr

No-cost
Take on an apprentice. Have him/her do all the drudge work.

It's a shame they outlawed indentured servitude isn't it?

;-)

- LonePine
AKA Paul Meske, Wisconsin

 

[slaveman]

It's actually funny that you guys brought this up...

I recently had a cut-off wheel explode and graze my forearm. It was nothing serious. But it was one of the main reasons I decided to try these other options (ie drill press and hacksaw) and eventually post this question.

I'm going to try my buddy's chop saw. If that doesn't work, I'll be purchasing a metal-cutting bandsaw very soon (or maybe I can find a high school kid to do it!)...

Once again, thank you guys for the comments and advice. I greatly appreciate it.

 

[lonepine]

I'm going to try my buddy's chop saw. If that doesn't work, I'll be purchasing a metal-cutting bandsaw very soon (or maybe I can find a high school kid to do it!)...

Once again, thank you guys for the comments and advice. I greatly appreciate it.

I used my Dad's chop saw and felt that it probably heats the steel up quite a bit, to the point of causing the steel to harden. When you try out your buddy's chop saw see what you think about that aspect. Maybe I was just paranoid. It's certainly not for fine work, just lopping off chunks and corners.

- Paul Meske
Alias LonePine

 

[Daniel Fairly Knives]

chop saw , cut steel to length , trim corners . Belt grinder to profile .

I just use a chop saw blade on a regular "skil saw." On 1/8" and smaller I use my jigsaw. Ocassionally I use a hacksaw. With all three methods I generally just cut the steel straight across then do my entire profile with the grinder.

There are much better ways to do this, but this will work if you have these tools.

 

[Dixieblade57]

It's actually funny that you guys brought this up...

I recently had a cut-off wheel explode and graze my forearm. It was nothing serious. But it was one of the main reasons I decided to try these other options (ie drill press and hacksaw) and eventually post this question.

I'm going to try my buddy's chop saw. If that doesn't work, I'll be purchasing a metal-cutting bandsaw very soon (or maybe I can find a high school kid to do it!)...

Once again, thank you guys for the comments and advice. I greatly appreciate it.

A few things about using a cut off wheel especially on a right angle grinder, do let it cut as slow or as fast as it will, do not force it and don't bind it, make relief cuts to keep from binding! The result is very little problem blowing up a cut off wheel!

 

[Daniel Fairly Knives]

A few things about using a cut off wheel especially on a right angle grinder, do let it cut as slow or as fast as it will, do not force it and don't bind it, make relief cuts to keep from binding! The result is very little problem blowing up a cut off wheel!

I should mention I wear welding gloves, a heavy leather apron, heavy jacket, safety glasses, a respirator and a face shield. I'd be scared to use an angle grinder or bench grinder with a cut off wheel. You simply can't flex one or they will explode on you!