New to knifemaking. First tool to buy?

A suggestion on the files (since you WILL need some) is to get them from Sears. When you wear them out they will replace them for free. It says so on the package :)

-d
 
<3 craftsman hand tools. I paid extra for a tap and die set from craftsman, because everyone knows that they wear out... but if one of my taps gets dulled and doesnt cut threads anymore, i walk into sears, hold out the tap and say "i need one of these" and i get it.
 
Another vote for Craftsman. If you'll use a hand tool more than once and it has any decent chance of getting worn or broken, buy it from Sears. I believe those files are Nicholsons anyways. Sometimes it's not about the quality of Craftsman tools, it's that dang warranty. By the way, I saw that K-mart now carries Craftsman, I would assume they still carry the Craftsman warranty.
 
tehrulebookman.
several people have recommended the $50 knife shop. It is a great book, so good in fact that I bought the new 'all color' version because there is some extra content.

This means I have a copy of the original book that I will send you for free if you pm me your address. One of the things I love about this place is all the knowledge and information that is passed around, so I thought I may be able to do my part as well.
 
Airborne Steel said:
tehrulebookman.
several people have recommended the $50 knife shop. It is a great book, so good in fact that I bought the new 'all color' version because there is some extra content.

This means I have a copy of the original book that I will send you for free if you pm me your address. One of the things I love about this place is all the knowledge and information that is passed around, so I thought I may be able to do my part as well.
Click to expand...

ahh...I haven't ponied up for a membership yet and therefore cannot PM. You also have email turned off or you would already have the info...my email is available so you can email me if you would like, or turn on your email and i'll send you my info. thanks alot!
 
Oh man, I just realized that I lost a long reply I had to this thread...here goes another shot...abbreviated.

Is a new angle grinder better than/as good as/worse than a used Makita, DeWalt, etc.?

Cut resistant gloves: yes or no? if yes from where/what kind?

Any specific recommendations for files? links would be great.

I also agree that the warranty is what makes craftsman so top notch, but there are other companies that have stepped up their warranty. Husky and Kobalt to name the biggies, both of whose tools are very good.
 
ive been filing my first knife completely by hand this last week. I'm still contemplating buying a 2x72" Bee grinder.

http://www.knifemaker.ca/comersus/store/comersus_viewItem.asp?idProduct=217

So when I finish this knife ill file one way bigger (not using my angle grinder) and hopefully ill give up and buy the grinder.

things to get 1. (safety gear) a vise
2. a book, $50 knife sop is good
3. drill and hand tools (i use a 2nd cut Nicholson file for most of it)

I dont use gloves because avoiding the accident with bare hands is what i figure is best, but i wouldn't mind a pair of those slick mechanics gloves.
have fun!
 
Used POWER tools are a galaxy unto themselves. There is a reason that most of them only have a 1 or, perhaps, 2 year warranty max There manufacturers have no control over how hard they are used and abused. What I'm saying is that buying used can be a crap shoot.

I've bought some used HAND power tools at estate sales and on eBay and been very happy (I love the Bosch 9.6 volt driver I bought for $35. Love Love love). Some old, used, stationary tools are MAGNIFICENT. Cast Iron and heft are good things when you are trying to do precision work. But you have to know something about what you are buying and, hopefully, how it was used to assess whether it might be a good buy. I know tradesman who treat DeWalt 14.4 volt drill/drivers as almost disposable items replacing them annually. I'd never buy a portable air compressor from a roofer for example...... It doesn't sound as though you are ready to start re-c0nditioning tools yet.

What I'm saying is that there are deals to be had out there but lots of lemons too. Craftsman power tools are not the same quality as Craftsman hand tools. Truthfully I never thought about buying files at Sears or returning a dull tap for a replacement but I may now.

If you are talking about a cheap 4 1/2" right angle grinder I think you are stuck with Harbor Freight. Even my Black and Decker cost about $80 as I recall, and well worth it too for what I've used it for.

Gloves seem to spark debates here at Bladeforums. Suffice it to say, when I use a right angle grinder with grinding/cutoff/wire wheels I wear HEAVY gloves, tight, long sleeves and a faceshield and safety glasses. But that's just me.

I see that someone is giving you a copy of the $50 Knife Shop. If you email me your address I will send you a small bench vise I have laying around. I have way too many things stuck in corners like that better for you to use it then it to gather dust here on a shelf. Free tools are the best tools of all. I was given a Milwaukee portable bandsaw a couple of months ago when I really really needed it and this my was of (re)paying it forward............................

Syn
 
I paid $30+tax for my Ryobi 4" angle grinder from Home Depot. Its been a great tool. Ive used the heck out of it. Right now your most important buy is the $50 Knife Shop. And a vise. :D
 
I own one Ryobi tool, a laminate trimmer, basically a small, palm-size 1/4" router. It does a good job, is fairly ergonomic (it fits my hand well), hasn't broken - yet.

The yet is my only problem with that particular Ryobi tool (my only Ryobi tool) - instead of having its collet machined so that it could be replaced if it went wonky it was machined on the end of the armature of the motor. When it goes the tool goes. Bad, bad design from my perspective. Not the end of the world. I've gotten my $50 worth out of it and if I saw a Bosch or Porter-Cable on sale I might upgrade and pass this one on to someone without one. My point is that I didn't check that out when I bought it and when I discovered it I was PISSED at the corner that was cut.

I pay much closer attention these days. I recently read an article in Fine Homebuilding where they compared cordless drill/drivers. Pretty generic tool these days. It was very enlightening. The $100 ones had delrin gears and bushings and minimal chargers. The $200 ones had steel gears and ball bearings and chargers with timers and sensors ( maybe even 2 batteries. Hell - Rigid Home Depot is offering FREE replacement batteries for life!!! Compelling marketing that. ). The differences, and value, between DIYer grade and tradesman grade were pretty STUNNING to me ( of course my wife says I have way, way too much money! ). I don't need a drill or circular saw that's dayglow orange and looks like a fuel dragster. I need one that will work forever or until I decide to ditch it. Enough of my ranting.

Hell he's getting a copy of the $50 Knife Shop and a 6" bench vise for free so he should be set.

Syn
 
therulebookman said:
Oh man, I just realized that I lost a long reply I had to this thread...here goes another shot...abbreviated.

Is a new angle grinder better than/as good as/worse than a used Makita, DeWalt, etc.?

Cut resistant gloves: yes or no? if yes from where/what kind?

Any specific recommendations for files? links would be great.

I also agree that the warranty is what makes craftsman so top notch, but there are other companies that have stepped up their warranty. Husky and Kobalt to name the biggies, both of whose tools are very good.
Click to expand...

I think that a cheap angle grinder will work just fine for your purposes, as long as you're not trying to use it for precision work. They are screeching loud and dangerous as all get-out, so take the advice and get hand protection, eye protection and hearing protection. Also, do it away from flammables. Dewalt and Makita tools are great for daily hard-use tools that you can't have fail, but for something like an angle grinder I don't find that they are worth the money. Just buy another one if it breaks. Also, pay attention to the brushes, even the cheap ones come with extras these days. Don't wear out the brushes and it will last longer. Mine was 9.99 + shipping from HF, with as much use as I've gotten out of it it was paid for long ago.

Don't know anything about the glove debate, I buy the grey heavy leather ones. I nicked the back of my left hand with a cut-off wheel on my angle grinder when I first got it, I don't suggest you do this. ;)

I still say get Craftsman files for the sizes and types that you can. Their selection may be a little limited, but you can probably get by in the beginning. Kobalt tools are rebranded snap-ons, as far as I know, and probably about the same quality as Craftsman. The question is if the warranty is as hassle-free, becuase they don't seem to charge any less. Don't know about Husky hand-tools to be honest. The Craftsman power tools are not worth the cost, in my opinion, unless you get a sale or they have a power tool that isn't available elsewhere in the same configuration that you want (this does happen from time to time).

Nicholson files are good files if you really don't want to buy from Sears. I can't say anything about Husky or Kobalt because I've never used their files. They sell Nicholsons at the Home Depot here, but I'm sure you can order cheaper ones online.
 
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