Recommendation? How to spend 10 grand for shop?

NickHFSS

NickHFSS

Joined
Jun 26, 2020
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164
Hello , so you have a kiln , a grinder , disc sander , drill press , all small stuff (files , sandpaper , metals etc)
And have 10000 $ to spend to upgrade your shop and add machines and tools , what are will you buy.
Please only rational decisions , no super high end milling machine for 5k and etc.
I have all the basics covered and am thinking about future stuff , space is somewhat limited , number one thing that comes in mind is better grinder with different attachments and bandsaw, engraving kit.
 
Depends on what kind of knives you make??? And whether you forge or not.

And depending on your level of proficiency maybe advanced training from a master could be a good use of the funds

if it were me I would buy a power hammer, a Rolling Mill, a ribbon burner forge, and a Moore 3 jig borer
 
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If it was me and I had all my basics covered, I’d look at possibly upgrading my grinder, if space is limited you could sell your current grinder and make back some of the difference. After that like HSC said it depends on the types of knives your making, after I upgraded my grinder I’d go take one or two classes with Murray Carter. Tools will always be available but instructors may not always be around. We are very fortunate that people in this time are so willing to share information freely but that may not always be the case and knowledge will always be the most valuable investment for any shop.
 
10k might get you a down payment on a decent used anvil now days... :D

In all seriousness, it really depends on what direction you want to take your knife making. Do you want to stick with stock removal? Get into folder making? Focus on engraving? Learn how to forge? Make damascus? etc.... Or there's things like CNC mills or routers, plasma tables, etc...

I wouldn't necessarily write off looking for a decent milling machine. Next to my grinder, my knee mill is probably the first tool I'd replace if I had to start over from scratch. 10k doesn't get you much in the "new" category, but there are good deals on the used market if you know where to look and what to look for.
A lathe and surface grinder are two more tools I'd have a hard time being without as well.

If you ever plan on getting into forging/bladesmithing, 10k would give you a heck of a start on a decent anvil, some hammers, and a forge, and you'd likely have enough left over to build a decent forging press a pick up a few other odds and ends.

Personally, if 10k fell into my lap tomorrow, I'd finish a CNC plasma table build I've started planning out, build a forging press, and look for a decent anvil. If I had anything left over (which I probably wouldn't), I'd buy some materials and start making enough things to sell in order to make my next 5 or 6k for a lathe upgrade.
 
I would buy a Mini Mill and a lathe from little machine shop, granite block, and good micrometer and dial indicator as well as height gauge.
 
The first full time maker shop I visited, the guy had 4 grinders. I thought why the hell would you need 4 grinders. 6 years later I have 3 grinders and would but a fourth if the right deal came along. A good bandsaw is key if you are going to source your own handle material. My next purchase will be a precision Matthews mini mill. If your current grinder isn't variable speed, update the motor also.
 
Mini mill, rockwell tester - used, horizontal grinder, surface grinder or 2 x 72 equivalent.
 
A mill was the first thing that came to mind.
Dewar, Oven, Salt Pot, Power hammer, press, SGA.

What about improvements to the shop to make it more comfortable. Heat, AC dust collection, dedicated grinding room, lighting.
 
I started with part assembly and handle making , then moved to stock removal , didnt have chance to forge, I did all my heat treat in a forge though before I got the kiln , but would love to learn.
Short term goal is to make the current work faster as the wait list gets longer and people have to wait for months and I dont like that , want to finish stuff faster.
A good grinder is probably n1 on my list with variable speed motor, different wheel attachments and etc and a good bandsaw , I'm thinking about milwaukee 6232 21 with swag v4 table , for around 500$ it should be a decent choice yes? then I'll look for dust collector as I do all of this in my apartment , I am thinking to buy other basements and joint with mine to ahve space.
rockwell test is a great idea definitely will put on the list.
I may also think about getting a forge , anvil and a press maybe or power hammer. those I would buy lockaly for what you guys would call dirt cheap and all the rest I plan to order from USA , yes I'll have to add quite a lot for shipping and import taxes but I want a shop to be just set and forget about it.
I'm also thinking about a entry mill and lathe , but again is that justified ? I can go localy and get anything made on the lathe for 5-15$ tops by a guy who has been doing it for so many years that I cant come close, same with a mill.....
what else would you get?
 
Also which grinder do you recommend in 1000-2000$ range? I have 220v at home
I've seen quite a few but I don't want to pay so much money on some sketchy site , I'd prefer paying a bit extra and getting from reputable source
 
NickHFSS said:
Hello , so you have a kiln , a grinder , disc sander...
Click to expand...
If you haven't already, I'd spend some of the money to make sure the disc grinder has variable speed and a disc with a 1 degree bevel on it. That one piece of equipment can speed up the grinding portion significantly.
 
If it were me, right now...
I'd build/buy a 10 x 12 shop outside in my back yard. Then a FAST press, then a surface grinder attachment, then a good mig/tig/stick welder, then a lathe, then a milling machine.

In that order, till I ran outta money. I MIGHT get the first three on 10k if i was lucky.
 
Sounds like a tough decision, tell ya what, I'll make it easy. Send me the $10K and I'll take over the problem....;)
 
The next tools depend on what you want to make. Pattern welding? PID forge, Press, surface grinder, rolling mill, power hammer. A mill is nice for guards. A real time saver there. A mill is one of the most versatile tools, if you do more than knives.

Having several grinders set up for different processes is nice to have. I find changing tooling and attachments a barrier and motivation killer, but I have pretty severe ADHD, and most of my shop time is after the meds are wearing off.
 
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