Grinding tips

Justin Schmidt

Justin Schmidt

Joined
Feb 18, 2016
Messages
2,209
Ok so I've been practicing alot with my 2x42 and some mild steel. Since adding glass for my platen my grinds have improved. But I'm having such a difficult time walking the bevel back. Everything looks great until I hit about the mid point then either the bevel disappears or it magically starts grinding into my edge. And why does my blade wobble so much? Not enough pressure? Thanks
Justin
 
Are you using the work/tool rest? If not try resting the spine of the knife on the work rest and pulling it access the belt. If the spine is flat you could even set the work rest to the desired angle and pull it across. I started out using a jig on my 2x42. Say what you will about jigs, but they work if done right. Furthermore they help you visualize the correct position of the blade in relation to the belt/platen. That way, when you go to grind free hand, you know what angle the blade should be and how it looks when at that angle. There was a gentleman who did a workshop at Travis wuertz's place a while back that touted the benefits of using a work rest while grinding. It really helps reduce fatigue and improves repeatability. Using a work rest will also keep the blade from "wobbling so much."

Here's the video I mentioned
https://youtu.be/MAgD3bvsY1o

Most importantly, when you're using the 2x42, keep in mind that the belt is flying very fast. You don't need to use a lot of pressure. You can always grind more, but you can't ungrind something. Take it slow, be patient with yourself, and when you grind try to do things in a way that is repeatable. Practice does NOT make perfect if you're practicing wrong. Perfect practice makes perfect
 
I will offer the opposite perspective. Focus on keeping your elbows in tight to your ribs, and hold the knife up with your off side hand. Your grip is not properly braced, so the knife is wobbling.


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That was tim Hancock. If he says use a work rest then by God I'll use a work rest lol but I've tried freehand and made some decent progress reckon I'll try using a work rest and see how that goes
 
Yeah this 2x42 work rest ain't happening. Maybe if I had a real grinder and work rest but not happening with this guy
 
Im on a 1x30 and the table was more in my way than anything so I took it off. I do what Jason said and keep my elbows tucked, when i dont my blade wobbles. Also keep in mind I have only finished 1 blade and as much as I think flats are pretty I havent ground one I'm happy with so I end up grinding everything full flat or pressing it into a slack belt and convex/axe grinding it. Not happy with any of my work yet. Practice, practice then do it some more. Im about to cut 48 inches of stock into pairing knives and flat grind them all until im satisified. Grinder going the speed of light with no proper toolrest is extremely difficuly, mine burns me almost immediately. Don't give up. Keep practicing and I will too.
 
What helped me a lot when I was starting out was a description I read somewhere by someone I can't remember, nor do I remember the exact verbiage. But basically, the idea is to lock your elbows at your side, find a firm, but comfortable grip on the blade, stand with your feet comfortably spaced, and sway your body as you move the blade across the belt. You aren't pushing the knife, or drawing it, it is moving as your body moves. I don't know why that helped, but the visual of a kind of dancing sway did. I've never used a toolrest, and I'm not sure after all these years if I could. Just find what works best for you. I can't tell you how much perfectly good steel I ruined when I got my 2x72. Every piece I touched was ruined. However, one day, then the next and the next, it started coming together, it will with you too.
 
comet_sharp said:
Im on a 1x30 and the table was more in my way than anything so I took it off. I do what Jason said and keep my elbows tucked, when i dont my blade wobbles. Also keep in mind I have only finished 1 blade and as much as I think flats are pretty I havent ground one I'm happy with so I end up grinding everything full flat or pressing it into a slack belt and convex/axe grinding it. Not happy with any of my work yet. Practice, practice then do it some more. Im about to cut 48 inches of stock into pairing knives and flat grind them all until im satisified. Grinder going the speed of light with no proper toolrest is extremely difficuly, mine burns me almost immediately. Don't give up. Keep practicing and I will too.
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Yeah the work rest wasn't working. I've burned through close to 5 ft of metal because nothing has satisfied me. I'm not going to finish a crappy ground blade just for the sake of doing it. Besides I'm using HD steel as practice so it's really not that serious. Just like you I get burnt after about 3 passes. The first 7 or so passes comes out perfect then for some reason I feel rushed and everything goes to crap. Very frustrating but Im not gonna let some heaps of metal defeat me :cool:
 
David Stifle said:
What helped me a lot when I was starting out was a description I read somewhere by someone I can't remember, nor do I remember the exact verbiage. But basically, the idea is to lock your elbows at your side, find a firm, but comfortable grip on the blade, stand with your feet comfortably spaced, and sway your body as you move the blade across the belt. You aren't pushing the knife, or drawing it, it is moving as your body moves. I don't know why that helped, but the visual of a kind of dancing sway did. I've never used a toolrest, and I'm not sure after all these years if I could. Just find what works best for you. I can't tell you how much perfectly good steel I ruined when I got my 2x72. Every piece I touched was ruined. However, one day, then the next and the next, it started coming together, it will with you too.
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Thanks David that actually does help me out. It's nice to know I'm not the only one destroying steel :)
 
valknut said:
Thanks David that actually does help me out. It's nice to know I'm not the only one destroying steel :)
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Oh, don't worry a bit. I ruined so much steel when I was starting out I unplugged my grinder and went back to files, lol. Course, after a round of blisters my tantrum was over and I dedicated myself to mastering the grinder, a process that, 15 years later, I am still doing. Learning never ends in this art form/craft
 
valknut said:
Yeah this 2x42 work rest ain't happening. Maybe if I had a real grinder and work rest but not happening with this guy
Click to expand...

I started on a 2x42 and I used the work rest just fine. I ground large choppers and numerous others. I even would set the table to 12 degrees and do scandi grin knives. I just had to take measurements with the angle finder and bend on the table a little to get it level. You don't have to put a ton of pressure on the rest. You basically just use it to steady the blade. When you're pulling the blade to the right, position yourself on the right side of the machine/platen and keep your elbow close to your body. When you pull the blade across the belt with your elboow tucked close it will be more fluid and steady. It's the same principal guys use to grind at belly level. I sit in a rolling chair and grind. I just position my chair on either side I want to grind on.

Try to get over top of the blade so you can look down on it while grinding. Check your work frequently and make adjustments. Use layout dye to help with that.

The thing to remember is that the belt is spinning VERY fast on that grinder so you really want to use light pressure. You can screw something up fast on that thing. Again, try and be patient with yourself. It's not easy to do this stuff.
 
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