Equipment list (what else could I add) Trying to Prioritize

[KnuckleDownKnives]

I have been quite busy over the last 3 years putting together my equipment for knife making. 3 years ago I pretty much didn't have anything listed below except the welder and some angle grinders. I started out in a makeshift shop I built on the back of the house that had nothing more than tarps for a roof and walls with plywood laying right on the dirt for a floor. My shop is now located in a high cube 40' sea container. I have plans to purchase a second one and join them when this one is paid off in another 14 or so months to up my sq footage since I'm running out already.

I have listed below my list of equipment and another list of equipment I want to work on building and or buying. I'm putting this list together so I can try to prioritize the importance of the items on the list so I can "try" to have some sense of direction obtaining these items.

The list below is not really in any order as of yet but I'd like some input from you all on what you think I might be missing or overlooked. Keep in mind some of the cheaper tools that I have I plan on upgrading when I can or if the need arises. just trying to see where I'm a and where I want to go. Thanks.


Equipment I currently have.

2x72 vertical/horizontal grinder (3hp 3ph w/KBAC 29 1PH)
2x72 vertical/horizontal grinder (powered by treadmill motor)(soon motor upgrade)
10" contact smooth wheel
Small wheel attachment (1/4" - 1" wheels)
Flat platten (1 each grinder)
Fixed tool rests (1 each grinder)
Small wheel tool rest (V notched for wheel)

Buffer (Grizzly G1061Z)
6" Bench grinder
1x30 belt grinder
4ea 4 1/2" angle grinders
1/2" x 18-1/4" finger belt sander/grinder
Flex shaft Grinder/carver (Harbor freight w/assorted bits)

Rockwell tester (w/61hrc certified test block)

Kydex press (1 ton 12" x 12")
Arbor press (1 ton w/nice mandrels for kydex)
Heat gun
Drill press with 4" vice (small 8" converted w/1.5hp 3ph motor VFD contolled)
Dremmel (cheep with assorted bits)

Tempering oven (PID Controlled)
Gas Forge (PID Thermo couple, gas not controlled by PID yet stainless muffle for HT)
Quench tank (PID Controlled 6.5 gallon canola oil)

10" portable table saw (need better blade)
9" Wood bandsaw (needs good blade)
Metal bandsaw with table set up vertical

5" Swivel vice
3" vice
2" swivel vice
1" mini vice
Knife vice

Ganite plate (multiple)
Height guage (8")
Dial callipers (6")
123 blocks (2)

Mig welder 140 amp (flux or gas)
Small air compressor
Anvil "shaped object" (cast iron 55lb)
RR track anvil (small 8"-9" used mainly when working handle pins)

1hp dust collector (evacuation set up does not collect dust)

Needle file set (cheap)
20 LPI checkering file (groblet)
Assorted small and larger files (cheap)

Carbide file guide (have carbide to make a second one)
Decent cobalt drill bit set (115 pc)
Misc drill bits up to 7/8"
1/4" counter bore (sized for 1/4 thread allen head bolts)
Conter bore sized for scale bolts (Kuraki's bolts)
Center drill counter sinks bits
Tin coated Step bits
Counter sink bit set (5pc)

AC/DC etching machine (home built 24v)

Acid etch tank (3" x 30" pvc tank with feric chloride)

20 ton manual forging press (home made with flat dies and round dies)

1/4" Letter/number punch set

3" x 15" x 1/4" Micarta press

--------------------------------------------------------------
Things left to obtain and or build. (Wish list)

Heat treat kiln
5 gal parks #50 quench oil

Rotary platen
12" contact wheel
8" contact wheel
4" contact wheel
Surface grinder attachment

Radious Platens
Platten chillers
Pyro glass for plattens

Disc grinder (with table)

Larger CFM compressor

Rock tumbler

Sand blast cabinet

Post vice

Good Anvil
Hydraulic press
Power hammer
Veriticle forge (have kaowool, satanite, 30lb tank)
Forging hammers and tongs
100 lb propane tank

Big Drill press
Milling machine
Surface grinder
Lathe

Good files

Taper tang drilling jig

Horizontal bandsaw

Compound miter saw

Leather tools

Wood stabilizing equipment

 

[Jrmysell]

I'd go with the kiln to improve your heat treating and be able to do stainless in house. The mill would be good for folders. Then leather tools for sheaths. I feel like the rest you have tools you can use to do most of what those give you. Although I'm planning on an anvil before a mill, but I don't even have an ASO right now.

 

[Richard338]

The fact that you even know what you have makes you 10 times more organized than me...

 

[Alan Davis Knives]

The one attachment for the belt grinder that I would not be without is a rotary platen. Having the rubber backing behind the belt makes handle to bolster/guard transitions so much easier to prevent undercutting the handle material.

 

[KnuckleDownKnives]

The one attachment for the belt grinder that I would not be without is a rotary platen. Having the rubber backing behind the belt makes handle to bolster/guard transitions so much easier to prevent undercutting the handle material.

Yes, def this is why I was posting right here. Knew there were some things I was forgetting. Added to the list.

 

[Upended]

I can't offer any advice, but let me just say, as a new knifemaker and as someone in the early stages of the lifelong process of tool collection, this list is absolutely terrifying.

 

[KnuckleDownKnives]

I can't offer any advice, but let me just say, as a new knifemaker and as someone in the early stages of the lifelong process of tool collection, this list is absolutely terrifying.

It's just money, you can't take it with you in the end.. I will say, I have spent a lot of dough in the last 3 years.

I don't suspect I'll ever be done spending cash on tools, but having some sort of a plan at the stage I'm at and aiming towards some sort of goal I think for me is beneficial. It's served me well to this point. I am at the point I can do everything myself with basic materials (such as steel selection). That was my initial goal 3 years ago when I started. I want everything to be done by me. I only want to have to purchase materials.

My aim now is to move in the direction of being able to use more advanced materials and still do all of the work myself, as well as increase the quality and speed in which I can use the current materials I can already work with. Along with that I want to be able to do more advanced knife designs. You don't eat an elephant in one big bite, it takes lots of little ones. For me looking at that list I'm actually pretty impressed. I think I've come quite a way from where I was 3 years ago with a harbor freight 1x30 a $50 drill press and a grass burner using extra clay bricks from my house and a magnet to heat treat.

 

[Tom Lewis]

I agree with the rotary platen for the same reason Alan Davis gave.

 

[DanF]

3 years? Impressive!
Sounds like you have a good plan.

 

[Geoff Flato]

I'd be inclined to add a proper vertical metal saw if possible. They are massively nicer to work with.
Out of your list, I'd personally put the kiln and milling machine at the top.