Enough equipment to get started?

A

Andrew Ovalles

Joined
Jan 12, 2005
Messages
253
Hey guys, I'm real interested in making folders. As of late i have 2 books coming in on how to make folders. I have Ron Lakes book and the lockback knife book that will be here shortly. What i want to know is if i have the proper equipment that i can successfully build one and if i don't what else should i consider?

Currently own:

Delta tabletop drill press
Delta tabletop bandsaw (wood)
Craftsman tabletop sander
Chinese buffing wheel
Several different grits of sandpaper (probably 60 - 70 sheets of various types)

I'm sure im gonna need some files ;). any other information would be appreciated Thanks
 
Although a good start you will need a bit more. The bandsaw you have is worthless for cutting metal. What size sander is it? People have used the 4x36 for fixed blades but it is less than ideal for folders. Folders are all about precision.
 
Thank you Wloch for info. My table sander is a 4x36, i also plan to buy pre-cut designs from usa knife maker. My intention is to build lock backs.

So far on my need list.

1. calipers
2. files

Any other tools that i would need while keeping the budget in control is ok... but make no mistake, if im told to buy a kmg grinder i think i would jump at the chance. Currently cleaning and organizing my workshop for one in the near future.
 
A crosslide table for your drill press would be very useful for positioning, and drilling holes.
 
some layout fluid, scribe, torx drivers, magnifying glasses to see the finest detail, bright table lights help, make some sanding jigs, a vise to hold things, thread locker ....
 
A hacksaw to cut your metal. You could also use either an angle grinder or dremel with cut off discs.
 
Hacksaw, files, drill press, clamps, sandpaper and some sort of flat surface are all the tools you need to make a folding knife. More tools makes it faster but you can make anything with just those basic tools.
I recently made a frame-lock using only those tools. A liner-lock would be much easier.

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/879116-Frame-lock-WIP-how-to.

This knife was not designed to be made with hand tools. I made it exactly the same as I usually would, just to show that it could be done.


As Wayne Goddard wrote in the $50 Knife Shop, as long as you have the desire or the "want to's" the tools don't really matter.
 
very nice jason. I actually read some of the tutorial and its very nicely done. Out of everything listed i'm missing a vise, scribe, and punch but i'll just pick those up later today. Thanks a lot guys.
 
While my specialty(and preference) lies solely with fixed blades, I have made three folding knives purely to see if I could. Here is the list of tools I used.
Dremel:
EZ lock cutting wheels
1/2" Drum sander w/ 60grit + 240 grit
Carbide metal cutter
Drill press
2x36 grinder

While these three folders were far from artwork(UGLY), the gave me a basic understanding of how folders work and ar made.
Get a tap and die set(Dont be cheap in this area) and good torx drivers, a Dremel will cut metal liners better than the bandsaw/hacksaw(IMO). Try out Van Sant Ent. for grinders, I still have and use a 2x36" belt grinder I bought from them about 4 years ago for around $350, its not the top of the line but is great for small projects, beginners, and sharpening. Get a drill press. Harbor freights sell some under $100 that will do the job just fine.
Vise
Scribe
Calipers
Needle file set(high quality)
Graph Paper (Design is one thing execution is another)
RESEARCH, PRACTICE, AND PATIENCE

One last note. Start off with cheaper(scrap) material until you have honed your skills and have a more thorough understanding of the workings of folding knives, don't spend a lot of money on expensive matieral for your first knife (from my painful experiences) make a few(or several) prototypes before the final design. Maybe this next suggestion will be blasphemy to others but for practice you can buy folding knife kits from Knife Maker Supply sites, to build your experience and knowledge.
 
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