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Machining integral
- Thread starter alexmin
- Start date
Check out Darum's Third Book . In reality, there's not much to it.
Get a 1/2 thick x 1.5" wide x whatever length you want.
Some integrals (slims) are machined from 3/8" thick stock.
Of course, it has to be in annealed condition. To get guessing out of it,
order quality steel from quality supplier. D2 from McMaster.
Keep the bar rectangular for as long as you can, as you mill it away,
this way you can always use a vise to hold it.
Get your design drawn, blue up the steel, transfer the design to steel (scribe). Put it into a vise, use paralllel to make sure it is all level.
Reduce the blade area by milling away. Say you have .500 stock and you
want the blade area to be .200. So you need to remove (500-200)/2 = 150 thou on ea side.
Handle area is typically a bit thinner. If you need to cut an angled line, you
can orient the vise appropriately.
So, reduce blade and handle area on one side, flip to other do the same. While the bar is still square, mill the strap hole, drill the rivet holes, mill
the typical chute groves etc. Make sure the cuts are aligned on both sides.
Now, to the band saw. Done.
Make sure you use a good endmill. 1/2 solid carbide works wonders but the
mill has to be solid ! It is real ez to overheat high carbon steel with a dull cutter and then it will harden on you, which will dull the cutter even more.
Get a 1/2 thick x 1.5" wide x whatever length you want.
Some integrals (slims) are machined from 3/8" thick stock.
Of course, it has to be in annealed condition. To get guessing out of it,
order quality steel from quality supplier. D2 from McMaster.
Keep the bar rectangular for as long as you can, as you mill it away,
this way you can always use a vise to hold it.
Get your design drawn, blue up the steel, transfer the design to steel (scribe). Put it into a vise, use paralllel to make sure it is all level.
Reduce the blade area by milling away. Say you have .500 stock and you
want the blade area to be .200. So you need to remove (500-200)/2 = 150 thou on ea side.
Handle area is typically a bit thinner. If you need to cut an angled line, you
can orient the vise appropriately.
So, reduce blade and handle area on one side, flip to other do the same. While the bar is still square, mill the strap hole, drill the rivet holes, mill
the typical chute groves etc. Make sure the cuts are aligned on both sides.
Now, to the band saw. Done.
Make sure you use a good endmill. 1/2 solid carbide works wonders but the
mill has to be solid ! It is real ez to overheat high carbon steel with a dull cutter and then it will harden on you, which will dull the cutter even more.
- Joined
- Aug 15, 2005
- Messages
- 1,297
Alex, I seem to recall that years ago one of the knife magazines had an article about Edmund Davidson that showed how he made his integrals. I don't remember how detailed it was, but I'll hunt around an try to find the article (unless someone already has it handy).
fitzo
Gold Member
- Joined
- Aug 14, 2001
- Messages
- 6,648
The Art of Modern Custom Knifemaking
"100 Custom Knife related Projects In the Making"
David Darom & Dennis Greenbaum
ISBN 9659090706
www.saviolopublisher.com