Cutting titanium help, new to knife making.

JGguns

JGguns

Hobbyist here to learn
Joined
Nov 15, 2009
Messages
407
Hey fella's I have been lurking for a long time but just recently decided to for knife making a try. I guess a little introduction before I get to the making. I am 23 years old, have done various construction jobs since I was 13, but been doing concrete for about 6 years. My wife just had our first child dec 24. With the kid here I find myself around the house a lot. I am good with my hands but one thing I have never gotten into was metal work. An with my love for knives, knife making just makes sense. Plus I love the idea of being able to make things myself.

For tools I have the minimum required (I think haha). I have a good drill, hacksaw, and a cheap belt sander from harbor freight. I know it's a cheap sander but it works good for what I need (I make kydex holsters, mag holders, and sheaths). I also had a small piece titanium kicking around so I figured what the heck. My question is done need an special hacksaw blade for cutting out the rough shape? I am gonna try the drill an hacksaw meathod.

Also I don't have any good sanding belts so I need to purchase them. Is there a specific belt for titanium? After doing some searching on the for, I am gonna order some low grit gator belts, some medium an high grit blue zirc belts( although I don't know where I will buy yet).

And if there is any other tips please feel free, I am open to anything. Also if by chance there is anyone in or near the Greenville sc area that makes blade an wouldn't mind a spectator that would e fantastic! Love this this forum and I look forward to hanging around the knife making section. Thanks in advance
 
You didn't say what type of a belt grinder byou have. If it is a" reguar" portable type you won't be able to get special belts for it. For most of the titanium grinding I do I start with 60 grit ceramic belts. Here again what is the thickness of the titanium you have; is this for folder liners; or were you thinking of a blade that titanium will not work well for? ave you read all the info in the stickies? They will certainly provide lots of helpo. I wish you well in your start. Frank
 
Frank Niro said:
You didn't say what type of a belt grinder byou have. If it is a" reguar" portable type you won't be able to get special belts for it. For most of the titanium grinding I do I start with 60 grit ceramic belts. Here again what is the thickness of the titanium you have; is this for folder liners; or were you thinking of a blade that titanium will not work well for? ave you read all the info in the stickies? They will certainly provide lots of helpo. I wish you well in your start. Frank
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Sorry, I have the 1x30 belt sander from harbor freight. The titanium I have is .125 thick. I got it from my buddy. I was planning on just starting with a small neck knife... I have read a good bit of the stickys, but not everything yet.
 
Frank Niro said:
Can you maybe shape the whole knife by using the belt grinder? Frank
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Thanks for the idea. I think that's what I will do for this one. I know it will be a ton of work butto think the end result willbar very clean. I ordered some blue zirc an some ceramic belts. Now I'm just waiting for them to come in an I will be off an running.
 
Be certain to wear a respirator when grinding/cutting the titanium. The TiO2 dust is very hard on your lungs. Your best bet would be to find someone with a plasma to cut it. As much as I love working with Ti(just made Ti drinking straws!) it is a pain to cut. I have some 3/4" thick 4×4 squares and after an hour my bandsaw had only cut about 1/4" into it with a 6 TPI blade. Trying to cut it with a hacksaw would truly be an exercise in patience.
 
zaph1 said:
Be certain to wear a respirator when grinding/cutting the titanium. The TiO2 dust is very hard on your lungs. Your best bet would be to find someone with a plasma to cut it. As much as I love working with Ti(just made Ti drinking straws!) it is a pain to cut. I have some 3/4" thick 4×4 squares and after an hour my bandsaw had only cut about 1/4" into it with a 6 TPI blade. Trying to cut it with a hacksaw would truly be an exercise in patience.
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Yea I have a respirator for when I do g10 and kydex work. I'm hoping being this stuff isn't so thick I won't have to much trouble with it.
 
not that big a deal to cut with a hacksaw, use a quality blade, 32 tpi for the 1/8 stock, take your time (use good form), and don't expect it to last a really long time. I use an older hacksaw blade to cut 6-4 and usually there isn't much tooth left after a couple 8" knife profiles (I rip from wide plate so lots of cutting)
 
wnease said:
not that big a deal to cut with a hacksaw, use a quality blade, 32 tpi for the 1/8 stock, take your time (use good form), and don't expect it to last a really long time. I use an older hacksaw blade to cut 6-4 and usually there isn't much tooth left after a couple 8" knife profiles (I rip from wide plate so lots of cutting)
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Good deal, I am gonna give it a shot. Thanks
 
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