New Years Resolution upDates

[David Loukides]

Well Its been over 3 weeks!!!
I have been flat Grinding or at least trying to. Ive got 8 blades roughed out:thumbup: All around 4.5 blade length. I have about 200 pieces of A-2 so I have got plenty to practice on. Once I am ready there are 4 Bowies I want to start. Switching from hollow grinding puts me back on the learning curve. But life is more interesting that way

How are you doing???

 

[David Wesner]

Hi Dave , what are your findings so far ? Has it been easier or have you found it more difficult to flat grind verses hollow grind ? What type of grinder have you been using ?

 

[grease-man]

Well, I've been in the shop 4 times this month, which is a bit better than before. I'm still working on not letting my mind wander while grinding! -Matt-

 

[flatgrinder]

Flat grinding seems easier to do, the hard part is the area near the ricasso if you have a grinder that doesn't track well. (I'm using a Grizzly and the platen's in the middle).

Hollow grinding is easier for me because the wheel at the bottom keeps the belt on track.

How about you, loussharp1? Notice any difference?

 

[David Loukides]

Thanks for your replies guys,
I have found that for me flat grinding is easier to learn so far. The distance between the drive wheel and the contact wheel is pretty long so belt tracking is beeing controled by the blade itself. Getting the area around the ricasso is tough but when going from the coarse grits to the 120 & 220s it cleans up fine. Finial grind with 400grit and the scotch brite belt to satin finish.
The machine is a home made. It has a 1.5 hp moter with a 3.5" drive wheel, and a 7.5" contact wheel. All of it even the motor and contact wheel are made from scrap from the scrap bin at work. Even the stand.

 

[deker]

flatgrinder: have you added a bit of crown to the tracking wheel on your Griz with some electrical tape? I've heard that it helps the tracking quite a bit.

My resolution is basically to make sure I make time to be in the shop (and to get the shop finished ). I'm finding that if I just control myself and take my time the quality of my work really comes up. The hardest part will be reminding myself to take it slow and concentrate on what I'm doing. I have a tendency to rush once I start to get happy with a piece and that usually spells disaster.

-d