Recommendation? Grinding, grinding, grinding...little help?

[KillerGriller]

In the “Rookie Mistakes” thread, quite a few people mentioned grinding or grinding too much as an issue; I’ve been experimenting with various methods and tool for shaping and material removal but I’m still a bit unclear as to the optimal timing/steps for using certain tools or when to switch from tool to tool. (Grinding wheels, belts, files, flap disks, etc.)

(If this has been covered somewhere, feel free to point in the right direction, but I didn’t find what I was looking for in the stickies or search)

When do you use a grinding wheel vs. a grinding belt? The contact area of the wheel is smaller and more defined than the belt, but is the difference mainly user preference or are there specific steps where one should be used over the other? Is filing user preference, or “must-have”?

Thanks for any feedback you can provide

 

[DevinT]

Most knife makers use a belt grinder for every step. Some use a disc sander to finish the flats if they use a contact wheel for the bevel or to finish a full flat grind.

Hoss

 

[Maelstrom78]

Flat platen with belt grinder or contact with belt grinder as already stated. A small wheel attachment or small oscillating sander even will make your life a lot better for inside curves. You need a contact wheel for doing hollow grinds, of course, if you want to do that.

A grinding wheel like a 6" hard wheel bench grinder would be a pain in the arse to try to make something that doesn't look like heck run over.

You definitely shouldn't worry about spending too much time in front of the grinder. You have to screw up a lot to get reasonably good. You are going to do things 18 different ways on every knife you make until you shake out into something that you do "most of the time".

Yes, get some files. You will need them here and there. Needle files too sure.

 

[Rhinoknives1]

Each belt Grit & make of belt will have a sweet spot of Speed & Pressure for you, as you Flat Grind, Hollow grind etc...

Check the interwebs for other makers around you, Maker's Clubs, Hammer In's etc that you can visit and watch how they approach each Step of grinding, You will still have to fine your Sweet spot! But it will help alot and you'll have some fun and meet some other makers!