Pantograph

Bruce Bump

Bruce Bump

Joined
Dec 2, 1999
Messages
9,910
OK I am hooked on making folders now. I met Chuck Bybee at the Missula show and bought more titanium. He has very nice ti. It is a bugger to cut with my slow speed metal band saw. I want to make a pantograph with a plasma torch mounted on it. Is there a easier way to cut ti than with the plasma cutter? Dont say lazer unless they have come down in price lately. Thanks in advance, Bruce
 
i cut mine on a wood bandsaw...the metal one is junk for ti.....i use an old worn out fine tooth blade and friction cut...its a little tricky but you will figure it out.. btw....cutting it with a torch is NOT a great way as it hardens the edges big time.

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http://www.mayoknives.com


 
Tom, Does the plasma harden the edges? I thought I saw famous guys do it in Blade Magazine a few years back. I can cut the sraight lines easy enough with an ultra thin cut-off disk on my angle grinder but the curves have to be ground out. My shop smith machine has the bandsaw attachment. I will try it. Thanks Bruce
 
Plasma cuts will harden the edge of most any cut material, it isn't very deep.
The cuts I have seen on Ti were not to smooth and that was done on a CNC machine.

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Sola Fide
 
This might sound dumber'n a rock, but, would it be cost effective to have ti parts cut out by a water jet cutter?? It sure sounds like it might ease the hemmeroid factor a tad.

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Always think of your fellow knife makers as partners in the search for the perfect blade, not as people trying to compete with you and your work!
http://www.nebsnow.com/L6steel
Buzzards gotta eat, same as worms!!!
 
yes, water jet is the way to go...or on a cnc with carbide.....both are not cheap.. I cut mine out in rectangles and grind them to size.....a lot of work...but in the long run its the easiest most sure way.....either go slow on a variable speed when grinding or keep it moving and dip in h2o often for single speed....I use my bader 2hp single speed most of the time...but it wears the belts out pretty fast (.144 thick 6/4!) to tell the truth...for every tnt I make I use up 3 50 grit ceramic 3m regal belts ($6 ea)

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http://www.mayoknives.com


 
I cut all my titanium with a 10 tooth bi-metal blade and never have any problems following profiles. Very little heat too, if you keep the speed slow. It does eat up belts though as was mentioned.
 
It was great to meet you in Montana Bruce. One of these days you need to post a picture of your incredible Damascus daggers.

Eventually I want to get a water jet cutter. The machinists I talked to recommenced water jet, then laser, then wire EDM. My only problem is trying to convince my wife I need another really expensive tool.

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Chuck Bybee
titanium.man@gte.net
http://www.titanium-man.com
 
Chuck, Nice to hear from you again. I would post a picture if I knew how to use my scanner. Bruce
 
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