Grinder safety question

C

Chant

Joined
Jan 27, 2006
Messages
279
Sorry, this is a long one, but it is safety-related, so I hope some of you will indulge me...

I'm just starting out in knifemaking. I decided to use a 4 x 36 bench sander at first, and if I keep up with it (i.e., get 3 or 4 knives complete, and want to keep going) then get a KMG.

So far, I'm finding the grinding process discouraging -- the 4 x 36 can't get a clean plung at all on the left side (can't even get the belt over to the edge of the platen), and a poor one on the right, and the belt is so wide I have difficulty with getting a clean flat grind (heats up so fast). I use files to fix it up after grinding.

I've researched the "Grinder" threads here extensively, and I know that a KMG would greatly help in my learning to grind well.

My problem is that I am a newby with power tools too (only ever used a hand drill before this), and I'm having a hard time maintaining proper "safety-consciousness" while grinding. Several times I've caught myself lifting my face shield to look at lines, then going back to grinding without lowering the shield. I've also caught myself doing "contortions" to try to get the plunge by the ricaso to take, and then realized that I could have ground off a knuckle or worse.

A KMG, being much more powerful, is far more dangerous. I like to think that some of my unsafe manouvers will disappear out as I develop proper shop habits, and that most of them result from the frustration of trying to get good grinds on a machine designed to sand blocks of wood -- but I worry that if I get a KMG I'll always live in fear of it, and end up giving up on knife-making (note: I and not an accident-prone person, but my hands are my lively-hood and I don't want to mangle them).

Has anyone else moved from a 4 x 36 (or 6 x, etc.) to a "real" knife-maker's grinder? Did you find that the real grinder ended up safer, because it would do what you wanted? Or did your methods (good or bad) just get transfered to the new grinder?
 
Everything in knifemaking will mangle, kill, dismember, burn and cause cancer.

With that said. I'm probably a lot better off with a real grinder. The positioning is where you can stand in front of it with your arms locked at your sides and sway back and forth.

I use a push-stick when I grind the tip area as that is where I seem to grind off the most skin.

You just have to be aware of what your doing. Heck you can get killed just walking down the street of your not paying attention. :)
 
chant, I modified my 4x36 to run a 2x72 belt!!! it wasn't that hard either If you like I can post some pic's or e-mail them to you...Keep it up!!:cool:
 
Thanks, Mark, for the reply. I think that, were I able to tuck in my elbows and move the blade, I'd be safer and more comfortable (and better at it). I can't do that with the 4 x 36, though. So, maybe a KMG will solve my problem.

Rocketman - I'd love to get the pics, either posted or to my email (why don't you post - there are other newbies out there trying to deal with 4 x 36's). I doubt I can modify the 4 x 36 I have, as the platen is the actual support that separates the two wheels. But I'd like to see your pics anyway, just in case.
 
Real quicklike, before he even gets a chance, yeah, post them pics, man :D.

I'm a cheap bastid if nothin else, but I'm just not in a position to drop the change on a real grinder any time soon. And this 4 by 36 I've been using is killing me. Any help would be appreciated here as well.

And Chant, keep safety in mind Man, it'll bite ya, has me, and plenty of other guys here and on the woodworking boards I've been on alot lot longer than I've been around here. Just a friendly heads up, I think everbody will agree, could be wrong...my 2 cents

Jon

PS, hehe, nope beat me
 
synghyn said:
And Chant, keep safety in mind Man, it'll bite ya, has me, and plenty of other guys here and on the woodworking boards I've been on alot lot longer than I've been around here. Just a friendly heads up, I think everbody will agree, could be wrong...my 2 cents
Click to expand...

Synghyn - Hasn't bitten me yet, but I know it will if I continue to struggle with it like I have. I have saved up enough for a KMG, but I want to finish a few knives first, before I spend it. My wife won't be too happy if I buy it and let it collect dust! (think of all the beer and pizza we could get instead!).
 
I would post more but I'm not allowed to:grumpy: stupid "basic" membership I knew I should have went with "knife maker" but now it would be throwing money away:grumpy: :grumpy: :grumpy:
 
Thanks much, rocketman -- that is awesome. I see you didn't have to deal with the platen as support the way you did it. If only I had the "shop skills" to do it I would -- unfortunately, I don't have the equipment (yet) for such an undertaking.

Thanks for posting, though -- I'm sure others out there will be inspired (and talented enough) to upgrade theirs as you did.
 
This can be done with a hacksaw (to cut the angle) and a drill..the wheels are held on with 3/4in bolts using washers as spacers..
 
I'm really a novice in the shop arena. A hacksaw and a drill I can use, but what about mounting the wheels? There must be some kind of brackets welded on to hold the axels of the wheels? Or I suppose they could be bolted on. The more I look at your pictures, the more I think maybe I could do it. Think I'll head to home depot or rona tomorrow and look over their steel bars and angles!

Thanks again...I'll let you know how I make out.
 
To mount the wheels you use a bolt, washers and 2 nuts per wheel.It goes like this #1 put a washer on the bolt #2.then add wheel, #3.more washers(spacers), #4. 1st nut, #5 then go thru the angle, #6 then another nut...tighten the last two nuts on the angle (it is between the 2 nuts) and hope it is aligned ok,if not add more washers. dont forget to wrap electrical tape around the center of your wheels!!!
 
OK, I see what you mean.
About the wheels - what did you use?
Also, is the electrical tape arount the center of the wheels for traction?
 
The tape is to help tracking, the wheels are casters I got online for $10, these are 8in aluminum casterds with a poly tire? and 3/4 in bearings. I'll try to find were I got mine tonight and post the site..
 
Simple, looks like it works pretty well, and could come back off easy to convert back to normal wood working use, I like it. (mental wheels spinnin :D )

What are those big wheels, and where did you find them, out of curiousty? I have some wheels I've been thinking about using(just need bearings, but I'm still looking for other ideas)

Chant-I feel ya on holding off on the big expenses, I have a ton of big tools already, but I'm loathe to blow any big money on anything else myself any time soon, especially on relatively specialized tools. Keep in mind, if you like working with your hands, tools always come in handy for other stuff(tools, it's a sickness:p )

Jon
 
Chant

Everyone here has decided the risks are worth it - and most of us do all we can to minimize them. Having said that, we all have cuts / scrapes / burns and abrasions. Some have amputations and some - like Bob Egnath, are dead from the effects of the craft. I've launched blades from the buffer - one that buried into the ceiling after bouncing off the bench. I've had a side grinder wheel blow up on me at high speed - and a chunk of it hit hard enough to crack my safety glasses.

Injury avoidance is part of the craft - but so is injury! Eyes wide open my friend. No fear - but respect for the equipment.

Rob!
 
Good link Rocketman, I might have to order new wheels, but they have bearings for the ones I have as well, sweet!

And no doubt Rob! and Chant, the risks are more than worth it, I hope I didn't come off as discouraging, I know I need a reminder to be safe in the shop every so often, so just throwing one out to him since he mentioned it.

Jon
 
Thanks again rocketman!

synghyn - you didn't come off as discouraging at all. The only thing I'm finding discouraging about knifemaking, so far, is my own ineptitude! I'm improving though, and that is exciting.

I'm still struggling with safety, though. I want knifemaking to be my meditative "relaxation" time, but how to do that without doing something foolish and getting hurt? I think it just takes time. First, pay attention and develop good habits, then I should be able to relax more. I hope.
 
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