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How to Cut a pattern ??
- Thread starter agita
- Start date
- Joined
- Oct 20, 2008
- Messages
- 5,547
My first suggestions would be to fill out your profile a bit so we get a little personality from it, and to read the stickies and the thread that was formerly right under yours. (Metal cutting blade on wood band saw?) I know search is not enabled for you, but you can search B.F. well with google and get plenty of threads about cutting blanks, and metal saws/blades.
It's just that I could regurgitate all I know and have read about it, but you'd get more info and internalize it better having searched it out on your own.
I'll say that you want to forget about getting a metal blade for either of the saws you currently own. It can be done, but you have to lower the speed a lot for the bandsaw and the scroll saw is too underpowered/not the right tool for cutting blanks. Get a porta-band and clamp it/adapt it into a vertical saw, make a better table for it. You'll find there is a lot of info about this on B.F.
A good solution is the cheap 4x6 bandsaws from Harbor Freight, Northern Tool, etc. Often you can get one for $200 or even a bit less. Or you can start out with an angle grinder.
It's just that I could regurgitate all I know and have read about it, but you'd get more info and internalize it better having searched it out on your own.
I'll say that you want to forget about getting a metal blade for either of the saws you currently own. It can be done, but you have to lower the speed a lot for the bandsaw and the scroll saw is too underpowered/not the right tool for cutting blanks. Get a porta-band and clamp it/adapt it into a vertical saw, make a better table for it. You'll find there is a lot of info about this on B.F.
A good solution is the cheap 4x6 bandsaws from Harbor Freight, Northern Tool, etc. Often you can get one for $200 or even a bit less. Or you can start out with an angle grinder.
I use an angle grinder. on inside corners I just cut triangles and trim the tops as much as the radius allows. It's far from ideal, but it's dirt cheap and works. 
A bandsaw is on my list though. While the grinder works it takes a lot more time and leaves a lot more material to remove with belts. That takes more time and uses up belts fast. I'm hoping to spot one at a garage sale or estate sale. Or maybe a local machine shop will upgrade or be selling off some old stuff....
A bandsaw is on my list though. While the grinder works it takes a lot more time and leaves a lot more material to remove with belts. That takes more time and uses up belts fast. I'm hoping to spot one at a garage sale or estate sale. Or maybe a local machine shop will upgrade or be selling off some old stuff....
- Joined
- Jul 13, 2009
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- 21,855
Search is working for non paying members now too
Let's not forget the ever-popular "drill a series of holes outlining the blade pattern then play connect-the-dots with a hacksaw" technique.
Myself, I prefer to just use my heat vision along the blade outline. It takes two, three seconds tops. (Being an immigrant from the planet Krypton has a few perks to it.) That and the fact that I can use a file to make a blade faster than using the biggest baddest belt grinder ever made. Is it normal for files to glow red-hot when using them?
Well, back to my Fortress of Solitude to make another couple thousand knives before supper time.
Up, up, and AWAY!!!!!
LonePine
AKA Paul Meske, Wisconsin
Myself, I prefer to just use my heat vision along the blade outline. It takes two, three seconds tops. (Being an immigrant from the planet Krypton has a few perks to it.) That and the fact that I can use a file to make a blade faster than using the biggest baddest belt grinder ever made. Is it normal for files to glow red-hot when using them?
Well, back to my Fortress of Solitude to make another couple thousand knives before supper time.
Up, up, and AWAY!!!!!
LonePine
AKA Paul Meske, Wisconsin
- Joined
- Dec 5, 2009
- Messages
- 1,528
Harbor Freight's portaband is supposed to be a nice saw for the price, can be had for $82.99 now, or on January 6th it goes on sale for $69.99. I think I'm going to pick one of those up; hopefully I can also find a 20% off coupon to add to it
- Joined
- Oct 20, 2008
- Messages
- 5,547
Hey agita, I didn't mean to give you a hard time. Just check out all the info here, it'll keep you reading for days. I still read some of it myself. Good luck.
- Joined
- Nov 2, 2009
- Messages
- 44
Approach #1: Buy a metal bandsaw, the one with slow speeds and set up vertical.
Approach #2: Buy your steel from someone like Aldo at NJ Steel in a width close to your pattern. Use your belt grinder to shape to your pattern.
I ran out of room long ago for approach #1 and found approach #2 works just fine.
Approach #2: Buy your steel from someone like Aldo at NJ Steel in a width close to your pattern. Use your belt grinder to shape to your pattern.
I ran out of room long ago for approach #1 and found approach #2 works just fine.
- Joined
- Oct 21, 2010
- Messages
- 614
I have tried metal cutting blades on my Delta scroll saw and it would take forever to cut a pattern. At least for cutting 1/8" steel that I tried. I find it easier to grind the blade to shape.
I buy my steel in the widths that I know the finished knife is going to be close to. When i started, I tried getting all the knives I could out of a 2in wide piece of steel, and it was just a pain in the ass without the right setup.
If you're making a 2 inch wide bowie, buy a 2 inch wide piece of steel to cut down on waste/scrap. I make several of the same knife in batches of 5 or 6, and buying the steel close to the dimensions of the knife makes it to where I really don't need a bandsaw.
I use an angle grinder with a cutoff blade to cut off the length. I then use my paper templates and trace around with a sharpie, and just grind the profile shape in to the pen line. This is really fast, and a worn out 36grit belt does great. You can run the belt off the side a bit to get into corners and finger grooves.
If you're making a 2 inch wide bowie, buy a 2 inch wide piece of steel to cut down on waste/scrap. I make several of the same knife in batches of 5 or 6, and buying the steel close to the dimensions of the knife makes it to where I really don't need a bandsaw.
I use an angle grinder with a cutoff blade to cut off the length. I then use my paper templates and trace around with a sharpie, and just grind the profile shape in to the pen line. This is really fast, and a worn out 36grit belt does great. You can run the belt off the side a bit to get into corners and finger grooves.