Just starting out

Sawce

Sawce

Joined
Jan 10, 2009
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147
When first starting out in knife making what is best to use a flat belt grinder or angle grinder? Also, what is used to make the finger indentions on handle? I know you cut the metal to that shape but how do you make it smooth, files?
 
Im just starting out too. I ll say blisters cuts and burns even if your careful lot of sanding lot s . I will let the experienced ansewr your thread . kelly w
 
If you only buy one power tool, make it a drill press. Second, a Dremel. Third, a belt grinder. These examples are hobbyist-type machines, not pro tools, but they definitely work.

Everything but holes can be done quite well with files and sandpaper. Electricity just makes it all go faster.
 
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I got to agree with James, drill press, you can buy mandrels with sanding drums to help shaping, then a dremel, then the grinder. I'll be honest I would rather go without my grinder than my dremel.

The smooth part comes from sandpaper backed with something hard like a flat file or piece of mild stee or micarta. I use mild steel for my sanding blocks then use a piece of micarta backed with leather for my final sanding.
 
I'm so cheap I don't buy mild steel for backing sandpaper, I just wrap it around old files with the teeth worn off :D

Seriously though... I use an old file wrapped in a few layers of electrical tape (plus sandpaper) for contoured and convexed shapes... I suspect this is similar to using micarta wrapped in leather. I use a plain flat file (plus sandpaper) to hand-sand flats.
 
James_Terrio said:
If you only buy one power tool, make it a drill press. Second, a Dremel. Third, a belt grinder. These examples are hobbyist-type machines, not pro tools, but they definitely work.

Everything but holes can be done quite well with files and sandpaper. Electricity just makes it all go faster.
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thanks, I have the press and dremel, so ill look into a grinder... Ill probably get the cheapy at harbor freight until I need a nicer one or is the 2 x 42 craftsman grinder worth the extrahundred bucks starting out?
 
A 1x42 Delta works really well and is very useful for many things. From what I understand the 2x42 runs a bit fast and might be difficult to control while grinding. The 1 inch belt also works good for getting in those tight little corners like finger grooves and such.
 
The 2 x 42 is fast, but don't be scared. I don't have any trouble controlling it on unhardened steel... you have to be gentle with it on hardened steel and wood, or you might ruin the temper/scorch the wood. Yes, it's worth the $130 or so. More thoughts here.
 
I am using a 1 x30 Harbor Freight grinder. It is not the greatest, but it beats using a file. I hate filing. Cost was $40 plus shipping.
Cal
 
I tried grinding a blade with my 1 x 30... it was very hard to control. I dont know if I was doing it wrong but the belt kept swaying from side to side and slowing down to a stop. I switched to my angle grinder with stacked sandpaper, it felt like i was getting alot more done but I was still not able to make a clean line with my grinds.

Anyone have any ideas what might be wrong? My techinique? Maybe the fact that I am grinding files that are at about 58 rc? ( I just temped them down, they are not fully annealed). Or maybe I just havent given it enough time? I know people are capable of making knives on the 1 x 30, right? lol

Comment appreciated.
 
If your using the brown sanding belts in the 1x30.... they are nearly useless for steel. You need good zircon belts(blue) for rougher work, and silicon carbide, or alum oxide grinding/sharpening belts. The only thing that will make everything more even ect is practice.
 
James is spot on with his assessment of the Craftsman 2x42. It works well enough for annealed steel. It is fast, but it ain't bad. Really have to watch ruining the temper on the tips for knives post heat treat.
 
Sawce said:
the belt kept swaying from side to side and slowing down to a stop
Click to expand...

If you are using the HF model (40 bucks), you have to adjust the tension/tracking knob. It is the knob behind the motor. It is a one knob does all kind of setup. Just start up the belt, and twist the knob until it runs smoothly. Also, it only has a 1/3 HP motor, so you can't push very hard on it. If you use about 80 grit paper, even without pushing hard, it tears the metal pretty fast.

By the way, I'm just about done making an angle holder tool for a belt sander. I'll post the tutorial tomorrow, probably.
 
Now I'm done with it. I have it in a thread called "Belt Sanding Angle Holder" if you're interested.
 
go mike said:
If you are using the HF model (40 bucks), you have to adjust the tension/tracking knob. It is the knob behind the motor. It is a one knob does all kind of setup. Just start up the belt, and twist the knob until it runs smoothly. Also, it only has a 1/3 HP motor, so you can't push very hard on it. If you use about 80 grit paper, even without pushing hard, it tears the metal pretty fast.

By the way, I'm just about done making an angle holder tool for a belt sander. I'll post the tutorial tomorrow, probably.
Click to expand...

Thanks alot that helped out tons. I also plan to get some different belts, I am using the brown. I actually managed to get some symetry to my grinds this last time. Now I'll have to figure out how to make it look finished.

Thanks for the help guys.
 
I used different size dowels wrapped in sandpaper to get my finger cutouts shaped for a long time. Chuck the blanks in a vice and go to town with the sandpaper and dowel's. I did have them rough cut with my metal bandsaw to help.
 
you can do an awfu lot of things with a drill press, files and an angle grinder. These are also multi purpose tools that can be used for making other tools that will help you along the way.

by all means buy a grinder, it takes 75% of the work away, but i think it's beneficial to use hand tools at the start for some jobs so tht you know in theory exactly how it should be done
 
The other thing and probably more important than what we've mentioned is the dreaded "p" word. Practice. It really doesn't matter if you have a top of the line VS grinder if you don't practice. Hang in there, keep grinding away (literally :p) and you'll have nice, even grinds.
 
Will Leavitt said:
The other thing and probably more important than what we've mentioned is the dreaded "p" word. Practice. It really doesn't matter if you have a top of the line VS grinder if you don't practice. Hang in there, keep grinding away (literally :p) and you'll have nice, even grinds.
Click to expand...

Thanks, I think thats what I needed to hear. :thumbup:

After I get the shape and edge I want, whats is the next step to making it look nice and shiny and smooth. I'll put up a pic of what ive done here real soon so I can get som e feedback.

Thanks again to all for the help.
 
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