inside curves on the profile?

blgoode

blgoode

Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
Joined
Oct 3, 2003
Messages
7,145
Would a 1/2" file in a drill press work for the tight curves on the handle closest to the blade? I am talking about filing the shape clean once it has been roughed out with the saw and the stock is still flat. Just working the profiles? This is my most time consuming challange to his point.
 
Yes,I have used the rotary files in drill my press qiite often. Go easy! If you get chatter, you are probably already in trouble. Sometimes you have to have to file cut on the backstroke with some materials, so watch your feed rate and pressure when feeding the handle or material into the file bit.This works really good on handles that are still in the flat stock state, You can also get pretty good rough cut equal bevels with the wedge shaped file bits, too. Just draw an outline on the flat surface where you want the bevel to stop. I have used quite a bit of knotty osage, and the backstroke cutting is almost a necessity when you get to the knotts.
 
If you're talking about a round file, I'd say no. Files are made to cut on the lengthwise stroke.
Try a half round file, and place the knife in a vise. just file your curve.
You will have to clean it up with wet or dry sandpaper, wrapped around a dowel.:eek:
 
Before getting the small wheels with the Bader I used sanding drums in the drill press with pretty good success. I still had to finish by hand due to the limited grits available...

Dan
 
I have been putting a 1/2 steel rod with paper glued to it....maybe I'll stick with that.

Thanks guys
 
blgoode,

I use to use a up-n-down (sorry can't remember what they are called) sander attachment for the drill press. Works really well. You use a plan sanding drum and it moves the chuck up and down. Lateral pressure, tho, is something a drill press wasn't designed for, so it might wear out the bearings. I suppose it depends on the drill press itself.

Like dhannon says it works quite well. Even just a 1/2 drum about 2" long works very well. It's just that sleeves don't last to long. They are great for shaping after the bandsaw and before handsanding.

Steve
 
Would a 1/2" file in a drill press

John, I think he is talking about an ordinary round file. blgoode

No it won't work very well. John was referring to a rotary file. This would work but is a little coarse for this work. The ideas about the sander drum are much better. I just do them by hand with a round file and finish up with a sander drum in a die grinder!
 
Thanks, Peter.You are right there. I guess I misread his post. The sanding drums is the smooth way to go, if you have them. Which I didn't when I started making. I did have some small Dremel drums for my Dremel, and they helped greatly. I smoothed out my rotary file work with light Dremel drum work and hand sanding.
 
Thnks for the input...I'll keep doing what i have been. I am almost ready to cut of another batch of blades!!
 
Originally posted by rlinger
Steve: oscillating drum sander?

RL
Click to expand...

You betchum, Red Ryder!!:)

I've been using a vertical oscillating sander for years on all my knives. Get one from Sears or your Big Box for around $100.

I do all the internal countouring and round off all the edges on mine. Absolutely indispensable tool, as far as I'm concerned. ;)
 
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