Help me spend my money

J

jawilder

Joined
Jun 27, 2006
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So far I have about $350 saved up from Christmas/knife sales and am not sure what to buy next. I might spend a bit of it on G10 and such but I am considering one of two options and want your opinion.

I either want a 6x48 belt sander to work as a poor man's surface grinder. I wouldn't normally want one but saw that Dan Graves uses one for his long bowies and my flat platen isn't long enough to sure up long blades

My next option is to get a small wheel attachment from USAKnifemaker with a 3/4" wheel. I have an 8" and 2" wheel but don't think I will need other sizes other than maybe the 3/4".

Of course I could always get more leather or a kydex set up but not sure if I want that right now. I think I have most everything else I need: grinder, drill press, forge, HT Oven, etc. I don't have any quench plates or HT foil, so that might be in the shopping cart as well.

Any other suggestions?

Jason
 
You can't go wrong with the small wheel attachment, IMHO. It really makes finishing handle scales easier around finger notches and other small curves. Throw in some kydex and rivets, make your own kydex press and you're good to go. Just my opinion.

randy
 
I'm suggesting you just wait until the "need to have" tells you what to get. Then you will have the funds to immediately purchase. Frank
 
USAknifemaker has the small wheel attachment with a 3/4",1", and 1-1/4" wheel for $180 or so.
I LOVE my 9" disc for getting stuff flat. Do you have one?
 
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I have a HF 10" disk sander but really don't use it all that much. I thought I would use it more when I got it but it is too much of a pain to change the disks.

I like Frank's idea of sitting on the money but at the same time I think I could really use that smaller wheel. I just finished making a push dagger and a small wheel sure would have made it much easier to grind the profile.
 
Another option instead of the small wheel attachment would be to get a ossilating spindle sander instead. You are able to do many size curves with them. If you shop around you could probably get that and the 6 X 48 for less than $350.
 
My current 9" is a reversible 3/4Hp 1725 RPM. I a 1.5 Hp 1725 coming so it'll run of the VFD to my GIB 2"x72".

I have the Nielson Disc System. I haven't installed it because the disc was seized on the shaft of my 3/4 Hp motor so I'll just have 2 - 9" discs when my 1.5Hp gets here. The Nielson system might alleviate your pain in changing the discs. Plus, since it's 9" not 10" it allows you to use standard sized paper sheets.

The VFD will allow me to run the disc at whatever speed I want.
 
Frank Niro said:
I'm suggesting you just wait until the "need to have" tells you what to get. Then you will have the funds to immediately purchase. Frank
Click to expand...

I am with him. you will eventually go "crud, I need this YESTERDAY, but I can't afford it!!! What am I going to do?" and then you will remember that you have 350 bucks kicking around for just such occasions, and your day will be made.
 
I agree it might be better to wait till you need something . On the disk sander I use mine on every knife in fact I don't think I could go with out it now. I have a 9" VFD and reversible. I flat grind and the disc is the best way to get it nice and flat after working on the 2x72.. steve
 
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