Essential Shop tools

K

KFU

Part Time Knifemaker, Moderator
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Sep 10, 2007
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Well, I am finally going to start making knives! I have wanted to do it for along time but never did, but with the pushing of my friend Bill Akers Im gonna give it a go. It will be a hobby for me that might turn into a part time job. What are your most essential shop tools? I will be getting a grinder and forge in March and already have a drill press, 1x30 sander along with various vises, clamps, etc. I want to keep it low key until I gain the knowledge so a HT oven is not in the plans. I figure I can rig up the forge to HT. What are your most used tools as well as some that you have to have for various tasks? For example, I have made a few sets of scales and have a bitch of a time with countours. I was thinking an oscillating sander might work well for the choils and palm swells. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
 
Why are you waiting? I'm sure you can start making knives with what you already have.

For finishing choils and palm swells in addition to the typical strips of sandpaper I have a piece of broom stick with the padded handle (maybe off some sort of exersize equipment) that fits over it nicely. I wrap sandpaper around it. It's the right size for the finger notches and the 1/4" of padding between the broom handle and the sandpaper helps to fit into and around corners and I don't have to use my finger rather than the broom handle. For what it's worth...

- LonePine
AKA Paul Meske, Wisconsin
 
To expand on lonepine's idea, go to the local bike shop and buy some foam rubber grips, they would be a touch denser and all of $10 a pair here. You already have more tools than I started out with, I had a hack saw, some files and some sand paper for my first knife. I designed a file jig and went to it. I still don't have that many tools, a 30X1 grinder, a 8" drill press, and a portable band saw is all I have used for the last few in conjunction with the jig and files. I did how ever buy the Grinder In A Box kit from Polar Bear Forge, I am just waiting for my VFD so I can step up to a true 2X72 grinder.
 
See, I never thought of that! I could do it with the tools I have but I have the money now so tools are what Im getting.
 
Tabletop drill press.
Metal cutting bandsaw (you can cut handle material with this too)
The best 2 x 72 " grinder you can afford ($750-$2500)
1 pair of dial calipers
If you have any money left you should use it to buy belts bandsaw blades handle material and some good steel.
Thanks,
Del
I used this set of tool to make most of my knives, I have a heat treat setup and forge as well, but this will give you a good start.
 
1) Safety glasses
2)respirator
3) dust excavation system
4)No weld grinder or grinder in a box.
5) drill press
6) bandsaw
7)knife vice
5) assortment of files
 
None of these are strictly necessary, but once you get used to them you won't want to be without:

lights (I never met a knifemaker or any other shop-rat who complained about too much light... 2' and 4' flourescents are cheap to buy and run and you can squeeze 'em in almost anywhere)
calipers
file guide
machinist's square and rules (6" and 12")
good drill bits
drill gauge
a couple solid carbide bits for drilling hardened steel (it WILL come up eventually)
edge scribe (laying a drill bit on the bench gets old fast)
bottle of cool-tool, tapping fluid or similar for drilling and polishing. Mobil 1 works too.
cheap paint brush for knocking swarf off the press table
file card
wet/dry sandpaper and lots of it
peg-board for hanging up files and screwdrivers and whatnot so they don't bash around in a drawer
wet/dry shop vac
box fan and furnace filters to help keep dust down behind the grinder
fire extinguisher

...stuff like that that's used nearly everday (well, hopefully you don't need the fire extinguisher that often). Good stuff to put on your birthday/Christmas list ;)
 
WEAR a Respirator when ever your grinding or sanding.Take it from a knifemaker who is experiencing what can happen when you don"t WEAR a respirator.If you would like to know the facts PM me and I will explain!:mad:
 
Some clamps might come in handy, and even if you don't use a forge or oven or torch or anything that makes flame, don't think you wont need the fire extinguisher. The first day you sand down a nice oily wood handle and then grind some high carbon steel into the same dust pile.... just hope you have it near your good hand or that first aid kit might be put to use.
 
He will be here for a visit in march,he will probably be spoiled after he leaves,lmao,but i have a grizzly 2x72 collecting dust he can take home with him to start with,hopefully he can learn the basics and go from there,after his return home,hope all goes well and he becomes a great an talented maker in the future ,i hope it all works out,main thing is DONT GIVE UP!:thumbup:
Bill
 
...first aid kit.... you guys are pussies. Only first aid ya need in the shop is paper towels, denatured alcohol and electrical tape. ; )

IF I HAD TO START OVER AGAIN this is what I'd want:

1- full face respirator. Best $100 I've spent on shop stuff!
2- height gage AND calipers. There's simply stuff I can't do properly without a good height gage. I held off too long, and my work and patience suffered for it!
3- spend every last dime you have on a GOOD grinder and belts. Knowing what I know now, I'd gladly spend 3 times more than I could 'afford' to get a good grinder!!! You'll know after your first trip to Mr. Aker's shop if knifemaking is for you. Don't let something as foolish as your pocketbook get in the way of a tool that will last forever!
4- buy a good frigging file guide - you'll use it for more than just filing.
 
Matt - electrical tape doesn't stick to blood. Use CA and call it stitched ;)

Know that if you decide to get out of knifemaking, a quality grinder will sell for basically what you paid for it. I've seen KMGs ebay for more than they sell for new... no accounting for some things.

Instead of listing off essentials, I'll give this bit of advice - don't blow your budget before you make a knife. Every time I make a knife I find that I need some tool. When I was more financially constrained I always found myself waiting to be able to buy something.
 
you can do alot with a grizzly 2 x 72 if you are creative. That's what I have. And it works for now till I can get a nicer one. Looking forward to seeing some of your knives in the future.
 
Everyone one has opinions on grinders, hell i cut my teeth many years ago on a grizzly 2x72, and today i still grind 90% of my blades on it,while i have a new bader b3 setting right beside it,2hp varible speed with all the extras,IMO a grizzly is a perfect machine to start with,hell he is getting it free what more could ya ask for,I LIVE OUT IN BFE, I TOLD HIM THE ONLY MEDICAL ATTENTION HE WOULD GET HERE WAS,ALCOHOL "BEER" LMAO TO FLUSH OUT THE WOUND ,CA GLUE ,DUCT TAPE , TO WRAP IT UP IN,LMAO, he is in for a trip!!
 
I'm surprised no one said a salt pot, microscope and a Rockwell hardness tester.

Seriously though...

#1. Work bench
#2. Chair
#3. Hammer
 
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