jigs... not for the purist of purists.

rustyrazor · Apr 9, 2015

Here's the grinding jig I have been using for the last two years. I got it about 10 years ago from Clare Broeksma when I lived in alberta and I only started using it when I started trying to repeat designs. it's a pretty well thought out machine.

just made this one on the weekend. it's a clamp to hold sandpaper on a flat plate for ...sanding flats what else. quick clamps lock down an aluminum bar with leather glued on it to secure the paper.

cheers

Royce

Frank Niro · Apr 9, 2015

Looks to me that you must remove the blade to grind from one side to the other. There are more simple ways to do that. Placing the blade in some micarta blocks and tipping the table works very well.
Frank

Lo/Rez · Apr 9, 2015

I use an adjustable jig (coincidentally made by a guy from Alberta) also.

JGarrison Knives · Apr 9, 2015

What platen do you have on your grinder?

JG Custom Metal Works · Apr 9, 2015

Dupe

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...-Show-your-jigs-Steadyhanded-purists-beware-D

I use two pieces of angle iron bolted together on the blade. I epoxied one side to a piece of flat steel plate to make for an even base. The blade stays in the jig the entire time and all you have to do to is change the platen angle for the degree bevel you want.

rustyrazor · Apr 9, 2015

problem with tilting platens and tables instead of tilting the jig is I've pinned them so they are at 90 deg (ish) and I can't just tilt my platen anymore without removing the pin. The pin is easy to remove, but the problem with the Bee grinder I have is that the platen is held in place by one single bolt, mounted in the center and it always migrates on me ... sometimes fairly quickly. that's why I pinned it and just blew the dust off the jig and have started using it as it's set up in the pic.

Frank Niro · Apr 9, 2015

The answer for that is to make another table set up that will allow you to remove the table that came with your Bee and install the tilting one as you wish.
Frank

rustyrazor · Apr 9, 2015

thanks frank, i'll put that on the drawing board and see if that will work better than what I had in mind... I've been looking into machining another mount to be able to adjust and lock the flat platen in different positions with very minor adjustments, but that might be an easier fix. That is the one great thing about the knob on the jig I have is that it allows for very minute adjustments with minor turns with everything locked at 90, but

Frank Niro · Apr 10, 2015

There has been other posts on grinding jigs. Did you try to find them? They can perhaps give you some tips. If you are going through or stopping in Kamloops let me know. I expect it will be a good time - any time is - to stop in here for a visit. My phone is 250-372-8332 You must use it all even if calling locally.
Frank

rustyrazor · Apr 11, 2015

Frank Niro said:
There has been other posts on grinding jigs. Did you try to find them? They can perhaps give you some tips. If you are going through or stopping in Kamloops let me know. I expect it will be a good time - any time is - to stop in here for a visit. My phone is 250-372-8332 You must use it all even if calling locally.
Frank

Thanks Frank.

I'd love to stop by if I'm in the neighbourhood, and the same goes if you're around the Ottawa area (613) 639 3625. I have a suspicion it might be a while before I get out that way again.. last time I was there I was fighting fire in 2003-4 and I didn't get out much, but who knows? I have family out that way now, so It could happen. In regards to the jig I have cruised the internet and found a few I am going to play with for my next one, so I'll post that progress as it comes.

Cheers

Royce

Frank Niro · Apr 12, 2015

Remember, it's whatever works best for you. Many have gone to the computerized grinders, out of house parts cutting, ect..
Frank

Karl B. Andersen · Apr 12, 2015

Always stack the deck in your favor.
Use every advantage you can to make a better knife.
Like Tim Hancock said in one of his videos - "Don't you owe it to your customers to make the best knife you possibly can?"
If a jig, or a rest, or a machine helps you to achieve that, then you had best darned well use it.

JBC69 · Apr 12, 2015

I've made/tried 3 different sled style jigs and was never really happy with the results. Repeatability and fine tuning the angle was never a strong suit of them.

Frustrated, I bought a Bubble Jig from Fred Rowe and it has completely changed the way I grind. My bevels have improved considerably and I can fine tune the angles and repeat the results all day long... plus, it's helping me develop the muscle memory and hand/eye coordination to grind freehand--win/win! As far as "jigs" go, ain't nothin' better than the Bubble Jig, IMO.

LX_Emergency · Apr 14, 2015

I agree completely. Working with the Bubble Jig has helped me learn to see where in my grind more needs to be done, what way to tilt, where to put pressure on the blade a little extra.

To be fair though....I've never worked with another jig. So who knows I might like that even better.

JG Custom Metal Works · Apr 14, 2015

IMO the bubble jig is more of a visual aid. It helps you see the bevel angle. It doesn't control the motion, you do. I bought one and use it sometimes, it just doesn't really work for me.

Lo/Rez · Apr 14, 2015

I made this one when I first started making knives.

I got this one from the guy who made my grinder.

Bob Ohlemann · Apr 14, 2015

Lo/Rez said:
I got this one from the guy who made my grinder.

I tried using jigs early on and got some decent results. The problem was that the jigs limited me. I cannot grind in distal taper or a long sweeping hollow grind with a jig. I am by no means "anti-jig". I've been doing machine work for 25+ years and jigs and fixtures are a art unto themselves. I find this jig to be creative and possibly one of the most "idiot proof" of designs I've seen. I think this jig could have a completely unskilled person making decent blades in just a few minutes. Clever!

Bob

PT Doc · Apr 14, 2015

RangerBobTX said:
I tried using jigs early on and got some decent results. The problem was that the jigs limited me. I cannot grind in distal taper or a long sweeping hollow grind with a jig. I am by no means "anti-jig". I've been doing machine work for 25+ years and jigs and fixtures are a art unto themselves. I find this jig to be creative and possibly one of the most "idiot proof" of designs I've seen. I think this jig could have a completely unskilled person making decent blades in just a few minutes. Clever!

Bob

the long screws on the guide and the c clamp do not allow for the other side to be grind without dismantling the whole setup. this introduces variable and takes away done off the idiot proofness.

Bob Ohlemann · Apr 14, 2015

PT Doc said:
the long screws on the guide and the c clamp do not allow for the other side to be grind without dismantling the whole setup. this introduces variable and takes away done off the idiot proofness.

I disagree. All the jigs that allow grinding of both sides have two inherent problems; the blade is cantilevered out away from the base which creates the opportunity to have the friction of the belt pull the blade downward and if the knife is not mounted absolutely plumb to the base, the grind angles will not be equal. This jig may not be faster but, I think it is going to be harder to make a mistake using it.

Bob

Lo/Rez · Apr 15, 2015

PT Doc said:
the long screws on the guide and the c clamp do not allow for the other side to be grind without dismantling the whole setup. this introduces variable and takes away done off the idiot proofness.

You undo the C-clamp and flip the knife over to do the other side. The file jig is taken off the blade when the grinding is complete.

I'm still learning, but I think I'm getting the grinds fairly even.