Plunge line woes on 1x42

A

Alaska_Guy

Joined
Mar 14, 2014
Messages
70
Let me start off by saying I'm still very new to my grinder...

With that it seems my belt tension never gets completely tight enough as my belt can track off when applying too much pressure and I get uneven plunge lines. I have tried sleds, jigs etc and none create a professional look.

My grinder does wonders at making amazing bevels but it's just not the right tool to perform accurate plunge lines... I basically made a fake plunge 1/8" forward of where I wanted my real plunge line to be. I am then going to try and use my file jig to create my plunge line. As my file jig creates accurate plunge lines.

Any other suggestions that work accurately?
 
Nothing wrong with a file at all. I used one for the plunges in a couple of my J.S. test knives. Might want to upgrade to a disc sander as soon as you can swing it. Lisch, Quesenberry, Wheeler, etc... have some cool tricks they do with theirs.
 
Disc Sander? I already have one.... Please elaborate. I am still new to the power tool world of grinding. :)
 
Well..., see if any of these guys would want to share this with you. I know Dave teaches knife-making classes in Seattle....
Also, Nick has put up lots of instructional videos. Check the stickys that Stacy organized for you. Might be something about that there. Not quite sure myself.
 
I haven't figured out how to successfully do it the way Tim, Mike, and sounds like Dave, do it. :foot: Tim lays it out in that link.

I can get them even on the grinder, but it took a long time to be able to.

For the last couple years, I've been dialing them in with a large steel block with PSA paper on it, and a file guide. It makes it faster (for me) to get them dead nuts even, and since I have different blocks, I can shape the plunge anywhere from almost square, to swept out. I mostly do it because it makes things faster for me when I go to hand sanding.

I've posted some pics of this somewhere, I'm just not sure where at the moment... LOL
 
That is cool, Nick. (And, I don't actually use a disc sander - I just know there are many guys use it religiously.)

Anyway, with all these expensive grinders, discs, etc... available, one of the most skillful and meticulous knifemakers around uses a sanding block with sandpaper. I love it and agree. The more knives I make, the more I do certain parts by hand. I'm getting quicker too - funny that. So, Alaska guy, don't toss that 1x42 or file/guide yet. Just get to know what is really going on and before you know it, you'll be so good at evening up those plunges, some beginner with a $3500 grinder won't be able to match you for a long time. Just keep at it.
 
This may not work for everyone but what I once I'm down to the finer grits say 400 or finer, I bring the belt out over the edge of the platen say 1/8" and simply bump up against the plunge. A 16 works extremely well for this and does a clean job of it for me but try a 6oo on that 1 X 42which is a belt that is available for it. Frank
 
Plunges are the tricky part. Keep that 1x42 for sharpening and small tasks. Still use mine daily. I filed mine for a long time. Then to sandpaper on rods or blocks.
 
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