First Attempt

C

ClydeWigg3

Joined
Feb 24, 2009
Messages
74
This is my first attempt at making a knife. I have my pattern and a 1/8" piece of carbon steel. Can I cut this with a hand held electric jig saw, or with my table mount scroll saw? I know a band saw would be better, but I don't have access to one.

Knife1.jpg
 
Jig saws come with metal cutting blades I am not sure about scroll saws, you can try it may be a bit tough to hold all you will be out is a couple of bucks for the blade. You need something in the 18 -24 tpi range. You can cut with a hacksaw, the shape is pretty simple and could be traced with a hacksaw.
 
Sawsall with a metal cutting blade does pretty stinking well for roughing out shapes as well...

Good luck and keep us posted!!

Frank B
 
You can use a dremel, but you will go through alot of cutting disks and they tend to explode. Once you got most of the material removed then start with a flat and round file to get the final shaping done. That is if you don't have a belt grinder. Be sure to post your work.

Welcome to Blade Forums!!!
 
You can also drill the shape with a hand drill, then use a hacksaw(or dremel) to cut between the holes. An electric angle grinder with a cutting blade works pretty well or a pneumatic cut off tool.

David
 
I really like using a cheap $15 angle grinder from Harbor Freight for cutting out blanks. I do any straight lines I can with that and the rest with the bandsaw. Without the bandsaw I'd go with just the angle grinder. I couldn't get my jig saw to work well but maybe it was my cheap blades.
 
It will almost iimpossible to cut that with a jig saw as they just don't work well for that sort of thing. However I don't have a bandsaw as of yet. I use an angle grinder and metal cutting blades.
Clamp your piece and use a support handle on the grinder when you can. go slow and you will be amazed, you can cut curves.
For tight curves I switch to a dremmel and metal blade. With a dremmel you really have to let it cut and don't force it, or it will explode or burn up the blade!
You can then use a grinder wheel on the angle grinder for some areas you need to clean up as well as a belt sander. The slack belt, and the curves of the wheels can help with other areas. As well as small drum wheels for the drill press.
The key is take your time and don't burn the metal and cool often. Always be sure of how you are feeding into a grinder or any other machine. A minutes carelessness can cause you to get hurt or anyone around you, and sometimes hurt is if you are lucky!
 
You know guys.... I have been a professional, self employed woodworker for almost 35 years. I may never make a knife, but have made a lot of people happy with my work over the years. Custom woodworking is steeped in legend, folklore, and ramblings of long stories of how guys started out and how hard it was. Some folks are generous teachers, but most not. I have given demos and taught folks to use their woodworking tools in a couple of clubs and for years in my business, and it has been a truly rewarding experience for almost on all counts.

But I have to say, I don't think I have ever seen as many generous professionals, ready and willing to help folks encouraging those getting started. Heck, even for those still learning.

You guys in this part of the forum are a good group of guys. Good for you for promoting your art, and giving a good showing of just how classy some of you can be in the way you treat those behind you on the path of learning. Closing in on 35 years in the woodworking trade, it is important to me to remember "everybody started somewhere".

Good on all of you.

Robert
 
I did my first knife with a hacksaw, it wasn't too bad, not as nice as the bandsaw, though!
 
Wow Bruce that is very kind of you. Midnight Flyer (Robert) is right, you folks are class acts and nice to boot.

I tried this on both my jig saw (felt like I was standing on a trampoline with my kids) and my scroll saw. The scroll saw quickly said "ain't no way you gonna cut with me". So I'm going to check with the metal shop at work for a hand at cutting. If I can't find somebody local, Bruce may be getting a package. :) All my equipment is for woodworking - no bandsaw yet - so I'm handicapped from the get-go.

Thank you again for the advice and offers of assistance.
 
panch0 said:
You can use a dremel, but you will go through alot of cutting disks and they tend to explode.
Click to expand...

Try the black fiberglass ones. They cut well, and I haven't had one break apart on me yet. And I use them almost daily. As they wear down, I keep the small ones for getting into tight spots. Wear your respirator and safety glasses or faceshield!

The brown ones are next to useless IMO; I don't think I've ever used one up without shattering it.

midnight flyer said:
You guys in this part of the forum are a good group of guys. Good for you for promoting your art, and giving a good showing of just how classy some of you can be in the way you treat those behind you on the path of learning. Closing in on 35 years in the woodworking trade, it is important to me to remember "everybody started somewhere".

Good on all of you.

Robert
Click to expand...

You're so right, Robert. These folks are one heck of a resource, and you couldn't ask for a more encouraging atmosphere. I hope one day I can give back some of what I've gained here.
 
If a hacksaw proves too much for you, get an $8 angle grinder and some cut off discs from Harbor Freight and go to town.
 
Dremel tools have their windings open to the air and do not last long cutting metal. After a few knife blades you will be buying a new one as the motor will have shorted out.
 
I understand your concerns, Steve, but I've had this dremel for a couple years, and there are many, many hours of use on it, almost exclusively cutting/grinding steel. I'm sure it will puke out eventually but so far, so good.
 
Can I use some type of cut off wheel on my bench grinder to cut this? What would you suggest?

I have a small bench grinder and figured I could use that for stock removal instead of a bandsaw or an angle grinder. Would it work?
 
Okay, I clamped this down on my B&D Workmate and went to town tonight with my jigsaw. Have it rough cut and will post a picture tomorrow. It'll take some dressing with my grinder but looks pretty good considering how quickly it cut once I got down to business. Thanks for all advice and we'll see y'all in the morning! ;)
 
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