If you could make any shop tool what would it be?

JTknives · Dec 30, 2009

I have been thinking latley how lucky i am to work where i do. What would i do if the job tanked? i also relized i have made everything in my shop. So i have been wanting to put a list togather of needed tools that i can make while i have the job i do. but i need your help! I have a kmg clone, disk grinder, vac unit, hor forge, vir forge, pid control for forges, small forging press, nice post anvil, hammers and tongs, drill press, and tons of steel. next up is a rolling mill build. but what else? thanks

galadduin · Dec 30, 2009

JTknives said:
I have been thinking latley how lucky i am to work where i do. What would i do if the job tanked? i also relized i have made everything in my shop. So i have been wanting to put a list togather of needed tools that i can make while i have the job i do. but i need your help! I have a kmg clone, disk grinder, vac unit, hor forge, vir forge, pid control for forges, small forging press, nice post anvil, hammers and tongs, drill press, and tons of steel. next up is a rolling mill build. but what else? thanks

You have much for sure

But I couldn't see horizontal grinder in the list...

Emre

Kindyr · Dec 30, 2009

Salt Baths? I seem to remember you having access to Stainless.

JTknives · Dec 30, 2009

Kindyr said:
Salt Baths? I seem to remember you having access to Stainless.

i have thought about making some but i dont know if i would have the balls to fire it up.

Will Leavitt · Dec 30, 2009

Ummm JT you making any knives lately?

I'm going to make a storage thingy for all my files when I get this knife finished, probably be simple, some pvc and wood. Also need to make another guard spring pressure thingy also, since I've quit using power tools my need for tooling is pretty minimal. I have to order some shop rolls and a nice holder thingy for them over my lapping plate/sanding area.

Fletch Helical · Dec 30, 2009

You got a lot of thingys for knife making Will. If I could make anything I'd make a KMG clone. But you have one already so I'm not much help.

Patrice Lemée · Dec 30, 2009

How about a surface grinder? My new "Tool to get".

Patrice

kc custom · Dec 30, 2009

I won't say I've got a dream shop but its pretty good. After 30 plus years of
collecting knifemaking tools and running 3 belt grinders now (one horizontal) I
would still vote for another belt grinder. Besides the desire they are pretty much
the core of knifemaking.
Ken.

Phil Dwyer · Dec 31, 2009

What are your knife making goals? Here are a few more things I don't think have been mentioned yet, that you might enjoy working with.

A power hammer (pneumatic?, helve?, tire?, etc?)
A beefier hydraulic press
A robust electric heat treat oven

BTW, did we ever see pix of the final-in-action-build of that pimped out grinder?!

markv · Dec 31, 2009

Will Leavitt said:
Ummm JT you making any knives lately?

I'm going to make a storage thingy for all my files when I get this knife finished, probably be simple, some pvc and wood. Also need to make another guard spring pressure thingy also,.

:thumbup:

i have a ton of files and i've not figured out how to store them
cool idea.
i will give it a try

thanks
buzz

Patrice Lemée · Dec 31, 2009

Markv, here is the next file rack I am building:

http://www.frets.com/HomeShopTech/AtTechShop/FileRack/filerack.html

Patrice

JTknives · Dec 31, 2009

Farmer Phil said:
A power hammer

A beefier hydraulic press

A robust electric heat treat oven

o ya now theres a list

i would like a tire hammer a lot. really my knifemaking plans are such. keep working where i am at now for as long as i can and then by then move back to WA and go full time hill billy knife maker. I love where i am working now but knives are my dream. For now i just keep making knives on the side and groing my name and making a more complete shop

efleming · Dec 31, 2009

1+ on the Power Hammer JT... Start a WIP.

It's on my "some day" list.

Will Leavitt · Dec 31, 2009

Patrice, that's nice but the files can still bang together and I don't use handles on my larger files.

I'm going to use some 1 1/2" pvc and end caps, use wood screws to attach the end caps to a wooden base then secure 3-4" pieces of pvc into the end caps and wooden base.

Oh yeah, I'm also in the process of making a knifemaking vise thingy..... so to recap my thingy to do list:
Knife vise thingy
File holding thingy
Shop roll holding thingy
Guard springy pressure thingy

JTknives · Dec 31, 2009

my next or should i say curent build is a rolling mill. see i have so much steel that is large stock that i can onley use when forging. but if i can roll it out and make it longer i would be set. like i said i have thousands of pounds of knife steel in sizes starting at 2 round and going up to like 8" rounds. but i get it all for .30 a pound so why not.

butcher_block · Dec 31, 2009

i need a sexutary
i love being out in the shop but office crap and web updates kill me

Patrice Lemée · Dec 31, 2009

Will Leavitt said:
Patrice, that's nice but the files can still bang together...

I hadn't thought of that Will.

Patrice

12345678910 · Dec 31, 2009

butcher_block said:
i need a sexutary
i love being out in the shop but office crap and web updates kill me

Butch

If you had one of those, you would never get any work done !

Tinbasher · Dec 31, 2009

Will Leavitt said:
Ummm JT you making any knives lately?

I'm going to make a storage thingy for all my files when I get this knife finished, probably be simple, some pvc and wood. Also need to make another guard spring pressure thingy also, since I've quit using power tools my need for tooling is pretty minimal. I have to order some shop rolls and a nice holder thingy for them over my lapping plate/sanding area.

I cut a strip of leather about 4" wide then cut slots in it for the files, hole in the end and it hangs under my vise ready to use.

Richard

indian george · Dec 31, 2009

Heat treat oven:thumbup:.