cutting out a Blank!?!?!

R

rmmatt153

Joined
Jul 20, 2010
Messages
112
im just getting into knife making. was wondering how you guys cut out your blanks to get shaped out? any tip hints and tricks would be really helpful. thanks so much:D
 
There are several options. Many makers with a more full shop setup will use a metal cutting bandsaw. Note that there is a difference in a regular bandsaw designed for cutting wood and one designed to cut metal. Metal saws run much slower. If you tried to cut metal on a regular bandsaw, you will burn all the teeth off of the blade in just a few minutes. Many makers who decide not to spring for a full-on floor stand metal saw actually use portaband saws mounted on a stand for vertical use. Another option is a vertical/horizontal bandsaw (the harbor freight saws will work for not a ton of money).

For newer makers who don't yet have the equipment or the means to procure/store the proper equipment, there are a number of lower tech options. The easiest is the trusty high-tension hacksaw. If you have a drill press, you can actually drill holes around the shape of your profile and "connect the dots" with the hacksaw, cleaning up the profile with a file. For a faster process, a lot of hobby makers use an angle grinder with cutting discs to remove large wedges/slices of material, and grinding discs or files to finalize the shape. Just be sure to wear a face shield and be cautious around the cutting discs as they can blow apart if torqued in a cut.

If you don't want to cut it out yourself, there are water jet companies that can take a scale drawing or cutout or a CAD drawing and cut out however many blanks you want.

Hope that helps.

--nathan
 
a band saw is awsome. so fast and clean, but not cheap.

I use an angle grinder with cutting disks. I think its optimal speed and economy.
 
i started with an angle grinder as well. However....never was i comfortable or felt safe, drilling and breaking is a viable option, portaband saw are an economical option, there is after market stands available for about 80 bucks, im sure someone will show one, i use jet 4x6, wish i had a powermatic. Greg
 
I use an angle grinder, and it is perfectly fine if you are being careful. The cutoff disks work well, and the dewalt thin ones last a really long time. You just have to be very, very careful and wear eye protection. I was listening to something while cutting and I laughed a little bit. Just a chuckle. I finished the cut and I had taken a chunk out of the edge of the disk. Being safe is the first priority, and, if you keep it that way, then an angle grinder will work well. If you can afford a bandsaw, though, go for it.
 
I myself just finished cutting out my first blade. Started with a hacksaw, but ended up using a jig saw. The metal cutting blade of the jig saw still looked brand new after I was finished. I have never seen anybody on here mention using one but it worked for me.

As with any tool though you can never stress enough on proper ppe. Angle grinders I have personally cut my knee open working on my truck (I relaxed my grip for a split second). It could do the same to a finger too. Shavings are no fun in the eyes and your ear drums will hate you without ear protection.
 
Welcome to Blade Forums c_fisch!!
Throw a thread up and show us that first.
I never used a jig saw, but figures it would work!
Greg
 
I'm in Tahoe for the week but will do when I get back home. I'm itching to work on it some more! Thanks for the welcome!

Sorry for the thread jack
 
I used a jigsaw for a number of blades then bought a bandsaw. I still choose a jigsaw over a hacksaw anyday for cutting small things. Plus if you have a fairly good one, it will have a couple of settings for wood, scrolling as well as metal. Just remember to secure the metal well or it will vibrate all over the place. I used an angle grinder on 1 blade and only for about 1/2 of it. Some guys swear by them, I won't use it again for this, it's too easy to snap a disc and spray yourself.
 
I still use a high tension hacksaw for most of my work. I only really use the angle grinder with a 36 grit flap disc for taking the edge to a 45* before going to the big disc grinder.


-Xander
 
I tend to profile it on the 2x72 with a worn blaze. If I had a lot of metal to remove I'd use the angle grinder.
 
This is a typical cheap harbor freight bandsaw setup mounted to the studs in the wall withg a 15$ pedal switch from harbor freight also. Cost you total around 80$ for this setup.

DSC_1015.jpg


I cut semi close to my profile with the bandsawe and then grind the rest on my 2x72"
 
My question would be:
What's the most effective setup(short of a $20,000 shop) to cut out the more wear resistant steels like M390 or S90V?
 
thanks alot guys for you input. i am currently using and angle grinder but didnt think that was the best way to go. but your inout tells me otherwise for the money i have i think this will do for now>> thanks so much
 
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