New guy and a ?

SamuraiDave

SamuraiDave

Joined
Apr 6, 2001
Messages
2,632
Ok, here is the story.

I have been around here a lurking quite a bit and am really interested in beginning to make knives.

My birthday is this weekend and to make a long story short my girlfriend is going to buy me a disc grinder.

I have a dremal that I already put to good use making handels for blades, along with a rasp and ole' fashioned elbow grease.

My question is:
Since I live in an apt and do not have a place to build a workshop (although my apt is a live in workshop) is there anything else I should get, or rather tell her to get, instead of a disc grinder that would help me out more??

Second question... I know for biguns I am going to have to send them someplace else for a heat treat, but can I build a "micro-forge" out of 2" wide by 8" long pipe with a propane or mapp gas burner??
(I could use it on some small blades outside near the pool, quench'em in the pool.);) Possibilities?

PS. $$ and space are big deals...I have to work indoors in a 3 room apt and attempt to keep the noise down. (read: no forging until I figure out a deal with neighbors :( )
 
A powerful disk grinder will be helpful, the smaller combo ones less so. Small blades can be heat treated in a one brick forge (Search). I don't think I'd run propane indoors. Wayne Goddard's $50 Knife Shop book is probably one of the best first purchases you could make. Good luck.
 
Do you want to learn how to grind? Then a combo is for you. Maybe the belt size isnt optimal but you will learn theory and priciples that will apply if you take it a step further. I have a 6x48 with a 6" disk. I cant ell you the amount of technic I have learned from that and how much I will also appreciate a 2x72.
 
AS a newbie myself (first two blades in sanding mode at the moment)I've spent a lot of time and a bit of money in the last couple months on this very topic. What I've learned is that a good belt grinder is probably the most useful tool you can add to your collection. I've also learned that not any one will do.

I tried some of the small belt/ wheel combo's with the 1" belts and 6" discs. They were painful. They removed very little metal, made the work piece hot enough to burn my thumbs (the painful part) and were hard to find a good selection of belts for. So far I've ended up with a Craftsman 2x42 belt with an 8" disc and a 1 hp motor (about $200.00). This machine is at least useful, and you can get almost any grit belt in that size from Tru Grit, but I have to say that I'm still not happy. A 2x72 really seems the way to go with a variable speed option even if it is the pully type. With your space/ noise / money concerns, I don't think one of those is probably an option.

In your apt environment, I doubt even the Craftsman grinder would be acceptable from a noise standpoint. Another problem for you in an apartment is the metal dust problem when you start grinding steel. It really is not good for your lungs and it hangs in the air for quite a while after you're done grinding (bad for both of you). Always wear a respirator when grinding in a closed room (about $40.00 from sears for a particle grade one with replaceable filter carts, the white surgical looking ones are useless).

I don't know how much she wants to spend on you, but do you have a good vise? A solid surface to mount it to? How about a nice assortment of quality files and some precision measuring tools like a pair of dial calipers? These would be good gift ideas. Perhaps even a small precision drill press, although I have yet to even use my drill on a knife for a taks that a dremel wouldn't cover.

Seriously, in an apartment, considering noise, dust and domestic tranquility, nevermind the problem you might encounter with electricity (apartments aren't wired for the juice a real machine will pull) I'd really consider the assorment of files. Hand filing will teach you tool control and patience, both invaluable skill for a knifemaker.

Sorry to run on, just my opinion.

jmx
 
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