How hard would it be to grind a whole knife, start to finish, with a dremel

R

Rsq

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Aug 7, 2011
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Yup
It occurs to me a dremel is an exceedingly versatile tool, and i have one, so i am thinking i might try cutting and grinding a knife with just that. Has anyone tried this? Any tips? I definitely cant afford a good belt sander right now, so hopedully a dremel wouldnsuffice
 
IMO it would be far faster to use a file. While I am sure given enough time you could use a dremel, but attempting to create a relatively flat surface with a small diameter bit would be challenging.
 
made a tiny knife from a hacksaw blade with a dremel, so it's possible. You'd spend the money it would take to get a Craftsman 2x42 to replace worn bits and doohickeys for the Dremel to complete any sizeable knife.
 
I wouldn't want to try it. Also, you may very well burn out your Dremel before you're done. Just profiling would take forever.

--nathan
 
Bad idea for the blade. It is acceptable for handle but again not the best choice. If you want something easily available, versatile and inexpensive - use an angle grinder (even a cheap one would be OK - and they start from 40-60 dollars in retail: http://rona.ca/shop/shop?storeId=10001&catalogId=10051&page=1&langId=-1&keywords=angle+grinder) and a belt sander (also easily available fro under 100 buck: http://rona.ca/shop/~sander-6-a-belt-sander-skil-235506_!belt-sander_shop). You will sure find Dremel useful, but using it from start to finish is time-comsuming (that is understatement) and not cheap in terms of tools you will use up and will have to replace. Do not do it.
 
But cutting and shaping could be done with the dremel, and files to get the right geometry?
 
Rsq said:
But cutting and shaping could be done with the dremel, and files to get the right geometry?
Click to expand...

You must be a man with time to burn.

Angle grinder, like someone suggested, is cheap enough and with a couple different wheels can rough blades pretty quick.

-sh00ter
 
I know someone who did, but he's extremely patient and very skilled with a Dremel.

You could, but I wouldn't recommend it.

You would be better off using files.
 
+1 for the angle grinder, It is a very versatile (and dangerous) tool, Use cut off discs for the rough shape and get some of the Layered sand paper discs for the bevels, when I first started I made several knives this way. Be very careful though, they have a lot of torque and can mess you up in a hurry, especially if you are used to a dremel! :eek:
 
Tips? Don't do it. If you ignore the first tip make sure and use the fiber reinforced cut off wheels, and wear good safety glasses/ear protection.
 
I've tried. Don't do it. The money you'll spend in cutoff wheels trying to cut the profile out will be just enough to just go & buy a 2x42 grinder.

And you WILL burn the Dremel.

Just don't. I've tried over & over...it never works.
 
I would not try it, I think the dremel speeds are way to fast to do serious metal grinding. Plus there are not any bits that are made for serious metal removal like that. Perhaps you could do final sharpening but that is about it.
 
What if i had access to a dremel style rotary tool, like a proxxon wiith a 100w motor
 
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