Knifemaking tools for Christmas!!! YAY!

G

GrizzlyBear

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Dec 5, 2009
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Apparently, my family wants me to continue my efforts in the world of knifemaking :) Finally, found something they are supportive of hehe.

Unwrapped presents with family last night and this morning and wound up with:

-Craftsman 10" Drill Press w/ Laser Trac
-4x36 w/ 6" disc sander from Harbor Freight
-Full set of Kobalt files from Lowe's

And, my birthday was on the 10th...so my fiance picked up a 1x30 grinder/sander from HF! :D

The only things I asked for was the files and the 1x30 for my BDay....they did well with the drill press and the 4x36.

Although, I think I'm going to trade the drill press for a Craftsman 2x42 and the 4x36 sander at HF for a 5spd drill press.

There's not much I can do with the 4x36 except handle work...what do you think?
 
Funny. My brother gave me some Pau Rosa and Yellowheart wood for Christmas. My wife and kids got me a respirator and leather apron. Anyway, you can always convert the 4x36" into a 2x72 for about $50.
grinder3.jpg
 
Wow, how well does that work? Looks pretty damn cool!

Please tell me it works well and that you have plans so I can possibly do the same with mine :)
 
Definitely trade the 4x36 in for a 2x42. Shoot me an email if you need more clarification as to why, and tips on making the most out of the 2x42. {james (dot) terrio @ yahoo (dot) com}

Can't say about the drill presses, not sure what you've got or want... but you do want one you can slow down for drilling steel. Spend any extra cash on good bits. Don't buy a huge set, concentrate on 3-4 sizes you'll use a lot.

Let us know how the Kobalt brand files work out, I never tried that brand.

All in all, a good score. You're blessed to have family that supports your work :thumbup:

EDIT: dang, a bandsaw too?!? Are your folks lookin' to adopt a 40-yr-old redneck knifemaker by any chance? :D
 
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Thanks, an email will be forthcoming.

My cousin purchased the 4x36 for me, and I think she thought it would be the one I needed most since she has one and I've been using it for handle work. Also, never mentioned that I was going to use it for grinding steel. Never expected one for Xmas so I didn't specify :).

The 10" Craftsman drill press looks awesome and has the X Y laser tracking. It's variable speed 620-3100. The one from HF looks good too. Also 5 speed, but is an 8". Found out that it can be modified with new tubing to make it a larger press. Both are a HUGE improvement over a hand drill ;).

Kobalt files should be great, and they have a lifetime replacement warranty equal to Craftsman. Got a Speedfit 12" Mill, 10" Flat, 2pc round, 2pc triangular, 1/4" Speed fit handle and larger 5/16" handle.
 
GrizzlyBear said:
The 10" Craftsman drill press looks awesome and has the X Y laser tracking. It's variable speed 620-3100.
Click to expand...

620 will work for steel, that's how my $100 B&D runs. 300 would be better, but hey. I've made hundreds of holes with mine and no problems. Don't be stingy with oil to keep the bit cool.

Almost any oil will help, I bet even motor oil would do in a pinch. Spend your money on good bits.
 
HSS bits for annealed steel. Solid carbide for hardened steel. "Made in USA" is often a good sign, "made in China" is almost always a bad sign.

Avoid anything that's coated and makes claims that a thou will make it last... In my experience, bits with a very thin titanium, carbide, nitride etc coating (oooh look, it's a pretty color!) may get you through one or two holes and then sit, skip and squeal on your workpiece. They're not meant for people working with cutlery-grade steel.

Frankly, anything you can get at Menard's/Home Depot/Lowe's etc is highly suspect. I have a drawer full of that crap... hardly worth sharpening them and not worth their weight at the recycling center. The best bits I own are Snap-On brand. Costly... but worth it.
 
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Congrats on having a family who supports you at what enjoy. I am also lucky there. Which might have something to do with my wife getting tired of me spending $300 to $400 dollars on a knife a couple times a year.The craftsman 2x42 seems to be the standard for those of us who cant drop the money on a 2x72. My wife got me a 2x42 craftsman today and I am very happy with it's test run. :D
 
Hey William
Go downtown to Whitehead Hardware, they sell alot of stuff to machine shops so their drill bits should be good quality. You can pick up some Tap Magic tapping fluid and some water soluable coolant there too.
 
I started on a 2x42" craftsman! They run fast but are a bug step up from a 1x30! The disc I still use to this day and I sometimes rough out handles on the main belt. Congrats!!!
 
GrizzlyBear said:
Wow, how well does that work? Looks pretty damn cool!

Please tell me it works well and that you have plans so I can possibly do the same with mine :)
Click to expand...

Yes, I have plans. Well, kinda. Not much to it really. Built a T to support the 8" wheel. I made it adjustable for tracking purposes. Replace the bearings on one of the Northern Tools 8" casters and wrap electrical tape around the wheel for tracking. I've even done a little experimenting with hollow grinding on the 8" wheel but I'm still not very good at it. It tracks rock solid down the same line, is very easy to change belts, and can easily be converted back to 4x36 for handle working by just removing 2 bolts. I've got a 3" slack, 12" slack, and 24" slack section for different convex grinds and a 10" flat platen. I claim it's the most versatile $150 2x72 grinder on the planet. If you have a welder, you could probably make it in less than an hour.

As to how it works for knives, I've made about a dozen knives with it so far and I think I've worked out most of the kinks. It's so much nicer having 2x72 belts than any other size. Plus, I've got plenty of room underneath for magnets to help with the dust. I made this KITH knife on this grinder.
almost.jpg
 
zaph1 said:
Anyway, you can always convert the 4x36" into a 2x72 for about $50.
grinder3.jpg
Click to expand...

That is frickn' awesome!

Could you take a ton of pictures, from every angle, and start your own thread? I'd love to see more of that 2x42 mod.
 
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