Grinding my finger off....

Kumdo

Kumdo

Joined
Mar 7, 2000
Messages
1,048
... how can I avoid it?

I've begun to develop a habit while flat grinding, of using my index finger to lightly rest against the platen (or rather, the spinning belt) as I drag the blade across the belt. It works very well for me, but as you can imagine my leather gloves last, well... they don't last.

#1: has anyone heard of this technique? Did I make it up? Am I a genius? :)

#2: and most imprtantly, is there anything you can think of that I can wear on my finger, so as to avoid disintergrating gloves (and my finger)? I was thinking about making a "finger sleeve" out of kevlar or something. Any ideas...?


*Important message for beginners (like me)* Do NOT use this method with a work rest! Wearing gloves while using a work rest is very dangerous!
 
John, I invented that technique! :D

What I do when I've sanded the sewing out of my glove finger is wrap it with - you guessed it - Duct Tape! When that wears out it's easy to replace, and it's also good for getting a custom fit of the glove to your finger.

:D
 
I don't intentionally do that (or wear gloves) but, I rest the spine of the blade on the tip of my index finger/nail. It get's hot and I quench it with the blade. Also, I never have to cut those nails anymore. After taking off enough skin, I don't know if I have feeling anymore either but, I've still got 8 other fingers to check water temps with. :D
 
I flat grind with a rest, edge up. I use a push stick too, Johnny Stout-style. Works for me. :)

Sometimes when doing folder blades, I use my grinding jig:

Jig_006.jpg


Jig_003.jpg


Jig_001.jpg
 
i use the old stick with a nail in it..... rest the spine of the blade on the nail. and push the blade right into the contact wheel or platen. easy beans
 
Interesting question -- I don't wear gloves and usually just use my thumbs for pressure and run the blade along the platen with my other fingers under it. Once I get to the tip I move my fingers out the way and use the thumb to keep it in place. Kinda hard to explain. :confused:


This might make for an interesting thread -- it would be nice to see some pics of how you folks hold your blades for grinding. Maybe get some significant others to take some posed shots of us using our different techniques? It might be helpful to some that are just starting out.

I'll start and try to get a coupld of pics tonight -- :D
 
Guys I'm just starting out and it would be a great help to me to see how ya'll hold your blades and what part of the wheel you use Etc.... I know i went to the grinding seminar that Bob Dozier did at Blade Show and it helped tremendously.
 
Hey, lots of good and helpful responses. Dave, sorry about stealing your technique (and trying claim credit for it, to boot)! ;) Actually I've been using the duct tape method, mearly because I have to plug the hole in the leather. I guess for now I'll stick with the ol' duct tape on the finger method.

I also like the nail on the stick idea. Maybe I'll give that a try today. Mr. Neilson's knife maker manicure method might just catch on!

I'll see if I can wrangle my wife into taking a picture of me while grinding....
 
I don't think I could grind a blade with gloves on. I grind everything from 2'' folder blades up to 12 1/2'' bowie blades bare handed and quench in water when it starts to hurt ;) I use three things when grinding - sight, sound and touch. You can feel when the blade is flat on the platen.

Don Hanson lll
 
sunfishman said:
I don't think I could grind a blade with gloves on. I grind everything from 2'' folder blades up to 12 1/2'' bowie blades bare handed and quench in water when it starts to hurt ;) I use three things when grinding - sight, sound and touch. You can feel when the blade is flat on the platen.

Don Hanson lll
Click to expand...

Obviously your "touch" part doesn't include touching the belt! :) I guess everyone uses sound, sight and touch (I think some of you are using The Force too). I don't think I could grind bare handed (besides the final grits)... unless I changed my methods, and I kind of like the fact that I'm making progress in my grinding skills... so I ain't changing just yet! ;)

Anyway, obviously there are a lot of methods being used. I'm glad to hear some of them. Thanks for the input.
 
I wear metal finishing gloves.TWO pair on the left hand.When one wears through I pull it off and replace it.That way I always have a layer of cotton mesh between the belt and my finger.And when the fingers accidentally bump the belt - well , thats when I am glad I was wearing Two pair of gloves.
 
I think you need to find a peice of pipe that will slip over you finger, weld a couple of stubs of flatstock on the end to run a bolt through an mount a roller bearing inbetween them :D ;)
 
I use no gloves I got to feel it..
I rest the spine on the top of my index finger just a head of the last knuckle
and use my thumb to press in. after a few blades when my fingers need to heal for a day or so,
then I'll use a file handle with a piece of 3/16 copper in the end of it
like Mike is using
I'm thinking Mike got that from Jim Siska am I right Mike :D
but that little trick has been around for sometime now.
as you can figure my knuckle is very close to getting ground off
it has been very close :( many times. :(

On very long blades flat grinding only ( I free hand most the time) I may use a rest and sometimes use
a tool made for pressing down tire patches when repairing tubes.
it's like an over size stitch marker but no spurs and it has a bearing so it
spins free, that rolls along much better than a thumb does for pressing in on the belt. :D
 
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