Getting a center line

F

Futz Brown

Joined
Jan 6, 2011
Messages
118
Hey everybody. I recently decided to try my hand at making a knife. Anyhow, I've got a 1/4 x 1 1/2 x 18 inch piece of A2 and I need to mark the center of it 1/4 so I can have an even grind on it. I won't be grinding away at my A2 for a little while yet, I'm using some home depot steel to practice on and familiarize myself with working with steel. All I've got for marking is a metallic sharpie and a klein scratch awl. Need a straight, centered line.

Thanks for any help.
 
There are a number of ways, some use a 1/4 drill bit and slide on a flat surface against the edge of your steel, the tip of the drill will be in the center, I have a marking guage and a dial indicator since I make two marks leaving the center part as the thickness of the final edge. Blacken the edge with a majic marker first and you will see a better line.
 
Thanks pat, that's a pretty good idea. It'd be nice to buy that tool that was linked but I've already put enough money into this.
 
A cheap way, use the sharpie in the edge, put a razor from a work knife in a book sticking out, back side against the binder, and adjust your height with the pages, hold the book down, and slide the blade along the razor to score your line
 
If you want two lines then do the sharpie then take a 5/16 drill bit and hold it down. Slide the edge along the drill bit then flip it over for the other line.
 
Bowxpress:
I used to do a similar but more complicated technique involving a modified masonry nail and a folding work bench. I'll be using your way from now on.
- Chris
 
[video=youtube;e5iN6v8XeI4]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e5iN6v8XeI4[/video]

Here's an example of a pretty cheap way to make your own, especially if you alreadly have access to some scrap steel, drill and taps.
 
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