- Joined
- Jun 8, 2000
- Messages
- 3,140
I've been fascinated by knives since I was about eight years old as far as I remember, but it may actually go back farther than that. I had a metal shop teacher in Jr. high school who made custom knives. His name was Steve Linsday. He also got me hooked on metal working. From there I kept taking metal shop through the rest of Jr High and high school eventually ended up as teacher's aid in the Vocational classes. I did machine maintance, hand ground lathe cutting tools (including threading tools). After I graduated I went to work as an aprentice machinist for about 18 months and discovered a few things about my self. First, Working in a production shop, I learned that I get bored tapping the same hole in the same spot on 10,000 of the same casting. Second, I'm a social animal and at least at 19 years old, was not good at only talking to my machine for 60 hours a week. Third, I wasn't good enough or patient enough to hold the tolerances required at the prototype/ limited run shop I had finally worked myself into at that age (about what Chris Reeves works with, .0002/inch). This knowledge helped me decide to leave the metal working business and pursue a career in sales where I've been for most of the last twenty years (hifi gear).
After all this time talking to people I'm ready to start talking to machines again. I need to take my knife obsession to another level and stop buying them and start making them. I'm at a point in my life where I really need a creative outlet and my obsessive personality and attention to detail lead me to believe that with a few years practice, I might make a few passable knives.
Here's where I need the help. I know my way around a shop pretty, but don't have one (yet). What do you think I'll need to get a reasonable start? I'm thinking to get started I'll need the following:
1)A decent belt grinder/sander specific to knife making.
2) a small vertical bench mill (have looked at a vertical mill/ lathe combo at harbour freight for about $700.00, any opinions here?)
3) Bench grinder (have one)
4) Drill press (have one)
5) assorted measuring and layout tools
6) assorted files/stones/ other abrasives
7) buffing wheels and rouge
8) surface grinder (in a perfect world, prob not to start)
9) Small hydraulic press?
10)Lots of good advice and tutoring,(any interested knifemakers in So Cal?)
I'm guessing I can put together most of the above for less than $2000.00 (without the surface grinder). Have I missed anything? Does one start with cold rolled steel to get the hang of this, or do I order up some ATS 34 and hope for the best?
My first attempt will likely be a stock removal neck knife (smaller pieces of scrap if I mess up a couple). What does one do for heat treat? I've looked at a couple grinders at Koval Knifemaker Supply, any opinions here? I also saw a 1000 grit 8" wet wheel machine at Harbour freight for $100.00 any opinions here. What about their bench mill, is it of any usefullness? A used Bridgeport would certainly be better, but much more money and space in the garage.
Let me know what you guys think.
jmx
After all this time talking to people I'm ready to start talking to machines again. I need to take my knife obsession to another level and stop buying them and start making them. I'm at a point in my life where I really need a creative outlet and my obsessive personality and attention to detail lead me to believe that with a few years practice, I might make a few passable knives.
Here's where I need the help. I know my way around a shop pretty, but don't have one (yet). What do you think I'll need to get a reasonable start? I'm thinking to get started I'll need the following:
1)A decent belt grinder/sander specific to knife making.
2) a small vertical bench mill (have looked at a vertical mill/ lathe combo at harbour freight for about $700.00, any opinions here?)
3) Bench grinder (have one)
4) Drill press (have one)
5) assorted measuring and layout tools
6) assorted files/stones/ other abrasives
7) buffing wheels and rouge
8) surface grinder (in a perfect world, prob not to start)
9) Small hydraulic press?
10)Lots of good advice and tutoring,(any interested knifemakers in So Cal?)
I'm guessing I can put together most of the above for less than $2000.00 (without the surface grinder). Have I missed anything? Does one start with cold rolled steel to get the hang of this, or do I order up some ATS 34 and hope for the best?
My first attempt will likely be a stock removal neck knife (smaller pieces of scrap if I mess up a couple). What does one do for heat treat? I've looked at a couple grinders at Koval Knifemaker Supply, any opinions here? I also saw a 1000 grit 8" wet wheel machine at Harbour freight for $100.00 any opinions here. What about their bench mill, is it of any usefullness? A used Bridgeport would certainly be better, but much more money and space in the garage.
Let me know what you guys think.
jmx
Seriously now, I built my first two knives on a friends machine under his supervision. If a picture is worth a thousand words, then a good instructor is worth a thousand books so if anyone offers to help you, then take them up on it. In the long run it will save you alot of time and money. They can help you to find what you really need and don't need and supply you with moral support and tips. There is no need to invest alot of money up front. I built my 2x72 belt grinder and purchase all the supplies to make several knives for less than $500. You can make very nice knives with nothing more than files, sandpaper and sweat. Or trade off most of the sweat and get a grinder and a drill press. Drill press, vice, beltgrinder and a few files and sandpaper are the most used equipment I have.
I have been in So. Cal Blades but I have not made every meeting. I have been to Herndons SUPER SHOP! and Blades & Stuff when the MAN was still with us. I ALWAYS learned alot!!! I cannot think of a better resource for a guy just getting into knifemaking, especially if you live in Kali.. See ya there!
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