Ricasso grinding help!!!!

R

raythebigfoot

Joined
Sep 12, 2007
Messages
709
Ok, here's the deal; about 3 months ago I got the grizzly knifegrinder and started grinding my blades instead of filing them. So far it is a love-hate relationship. I love the fact that I can now quickly take material off, but at the same time I tend to mess up the blade more often than not.

So my main problem is with the ricasso. When I am grinding I just can't seem to keep a clean ricasso and most of the time the belt bumps over and ruins it. I can't tell exactly what's causing this. Sometimes I think the belt is moving/sliding over as I press down. In fact in most of my grinding I seem to do this. I don't know how many times I have changed a flat grind into a full convex grind because I ruined the lines.

Anyways, I was wondering if anybody has any advice for grinding a clean ricasso and any advice on grinding with the grizzly grinder in general. I have heard of some people using a guide on the ricasso (kind of like a small file guide) to keep it clean, but I don't know where to get one or if I should really just try to keep practicing without it.

Any help is appreciated!!
 
I tend to grind the ricasso a little short, and finish it up by hand with a file.
 
I have a Griz and I love/hate it, too. The main issue is the belt tracking and the speed when doing the fine lines. Try tensioning your belt a little more and ride the track slightly off the platen (about 1/8" to 3/16") using J-Flex belts (I buy mine from Pop's). This will allow the belt to ride into the grind a little cleaner and flex to clean it up. I don't use a guide, but I do have a ceramic platen liner from Ellis Knife Works which helps keet the heat down, give more tension on the belt and better edges than the stock POS platen Grizzly supplies.
 
Ray,
I did have a grizz and Eric is right, the ceramic platen from Ellis made a world of difference. I also used a homemade file guide for a grinding fixture until after 220grit. This helped a lot with the tracking problem you mentioned. I just drilled and threaded two pieces of stainless 1/4" flat sock and then sanded the facing edges perfectly square with a disc sander. Still use it today with my KMG up tp 220 grit.
Matt Doyle
 
mdoyle said:
Ray,
I did have a grizz and Eric is right, the ceramic platen from Ellis made a world of difference. I also used a homemade file guide for a grinding fixture until after 220grit. This helped a lot with the tracking problem you mentioned. I just drilled and threaded two pieces of stainless 1/4" flat sock and then sanded the facing edges perfectly square with a disc sander. Still use it today with my KMG up tp 220 grit.
Matt Doyle
Click to expand...

That's exactly what I have heard from other people. I think I am going to have to try that and maybe get that ceramic platen. Thanks for the advice guys!!
 
TekSec said:
I have a Griz and I love/hate it, too. The main issue is the belt tracking and the speed when doing the fine lines. Try tensioning your belt a little more and ride the track slightly off the platen (about 1/8" to 3/16") using J-Flex belts (I buy mine from Pop's). This will allow the belt to ride into the grind a little cleaner and flex to clean it up. I don't use a guide, but I do have a ceramic platen liner from Ellis Knife Works which helps keet the heat down, give more tension on the belt and better edges than the stock POS platen Grizzly supplies.
Click to expand...

This is sound advice! try starting your grind ahead of where you want it to be,with your belt lined up to platen.then run belt over edge of platen with j-flexx belts to help shape your plunge.it's worked ok for me!
 
the best advice I can give about the plunge / riccasso area is to act as if your not worried about it.

EVERY TIME I WORRY AND FORCE THIS AREA I GOOF IT UP :)

Just learn and trust yourself :)
 
blgoode said:
the best advice I can give about the plunge / riccasso area is to act as if your not worried about it.

EVERY TIME I WORRY AND FORCE THIS AREA I GOOF IT UP :)

Just learn and trust yourself :)
Click to expand...
Brian, thanks for your post. I needed to hear that. I pretty much panic every time I do the plunge.
Merry Christmas!
- Mitch
 
Hey Ray, there those of us out here that have been doing this for 16 years fulltime, and still have the same stupid problem. Is your grinder a variable speed? That makes a world of difference!!. When I do it now it is generally when I am in a hurry, and my mind is wandering. What I have to do, is a very quick fix I switch to the flat Platen, put the blade on a small magnet and clean up the screw up with a 320 grit, then a 400 by hand. Then try to write it off as one of the wonders of being a knife maker. Just make sure you keep both sides of the grind lines even on both sides. P.S. I do most of my grinding on a BurrKing, and wouldn't trade it for any other grinder made.
Matter of fact I will be selling several pieces of my equipment, Disk grinder. Coot Grinder, One of these days a Bob Dozier grinder, and a bead blast machine. Let me know if any of these strikes a cord with you. Several of them will be a while yet. ;)
Dusty
 
I'm guessing the grizzly is ONE speed. Unless you have modified it somehow. In my opinion, it would seem like that is way too fast to be grinding knives at ?????
 
He hit that on the money. If you are worried about it somthing always happens. Say a good prayer and go at it. And when you are done thanks God he was there helping you grind the knife.

I know in time you will get on to it. Slow down put on a new belt and see what happens. Good luck we all have played in that show. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year in 2008- - - - - :thumbup:
 
Dusty Moulton said:
Hey Ray, there those of us out here that have been doing this for 16 years fulltime, and still have the same stupid problem. Is your grinder a variable speed? That makes a world of difference!!. When I do it now it is generally when I am in a hurry, and my mind is wandering. What I have to do, is a very quick fix I switch to the flat Platen, put the blade on a small magnet and clean up the screw up with a 320 grit, then a 400 by hand. Then try to write it off as one of the wonders of being a knife maker. Just make sure you keep both sides of the grind lines even on both sides. P.S. I do most of my grinding on a Burrking, and wouldn't trade it for anyother grinder made.
Matter of fact I will be selling several pieces of my equipment, Disk grinder. Coot Grinder, One of these days a bob dozer grinder, and a Bead blast machine. Let me know if any of these strikes a cord with you, Several of them will be a while yet. ;)
Dusty
Dusty
Click to expand...

Yeah, unfortunately it is not a variable speed. I hope one day to move up to the Burrking or something like that, but for the moment the grizzly was all I could afford. Maybe in a few years or so, but for now this is what I am stuck with.
 
Another idea,try hollow grinding a small bevel with belt over edge of wheel about 1/8-3/16 ,i find hollow grinding easier to create a nice plunge cut.as long as your grind is'nt to deep you can switch to platen and you have a pre-set plunge to work with!
 
balibalistic said:
Another idea,try hollow grinding a small bevel with belt over edge of wheel about 1/8-3/16 ,i find hollow grinding easier to create a nice plunge cut.as long as your grind is'nt to deep you can switch to platen and you have a pre-set plunge to work with!
Click to expand...

Thank you for that idea; I'm going to try and pull it off next time.
- Mitch
 
Hay Fellows--
Long Time Member--never Introduced Myself [can't Type]
Love This Place-
I Could Tell You A Lot Of Stories About This--if I Could Type But All I Can Say Is--experience

Keep Up The Shoptalk I Love To Read It
 
skilldust said:
Hay Fellows--
Long Time Member--never Introduced Myself [can't Type]
Love This Place-
I Could Tell You A Lot Of Stories About This--if I Could Type But All I Can Say Is--experience

Keep Up The Shoptalk I Love To Read It
Click to expand...

You will get better at it in time. Welcome to Bladeforums hope you are having a great day. :)
 
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