Save Tons of $ With These DIY Tools

[ThirdEye4013]

NOTE: A lot of these are in PDF form, So if you dont have Adobe Reader and dont want to download that huge adobe reader file, Download this PDF Xchange Viewer. It will take like five seconds.
PDF Viewer- http://www.tracker-software.com/product/pdf-xchange-viewer

DIY Tools For Your Shop/Garage



Drill Press​

-Here's a pretty cool Homemade drill press from some simple auto parts. Make a trip to the junkyard and your good to go. And Heck, If you dont have grinder, just make a vise to hold your drill in place. all you need to make is the press part of it.
http://www.vintageprojects.com/power-tools/drill-press-auto.pdf

-Here's another one, but made from Pipe's.
http://www.vintageprojects.com/power-tools/pipe-drill-press.pdf

-Simple wooden one, where you attach your normal drill to.
http://www.instructables.com/id/Drill-press/

Rockwell Hardness Tester​

-WOO HOO! Just as this guide says in the first few sentence, Now you dont have to spend $1,000 on a piece of equipment you will only use a few minutes a month. Give your knifes your own guaranteed CR rating.
http://www.rayrogers.com/rhc.htm

Lathe
​

-This is a Metal working Lathe, for small projects.
http://www.vintageprojects.com/machine-shop/lathe-modelling1.pdf

-Here is the tools for machining metal in the Lathe above.
http://www.vintageprojects.com/machine-shop/lathe-modelling2.pdf

-A simple-er Vise mounted drill lathe
http://www.vintageprojects.com/machine-shop/drill-vise-mill.pdf

Belt Sander
​

- This is a pretty cool hand held belt sander, made from Bicycle pedal cranks, angle iron, and some hardwood.
http://www.vintageprojects.com/power-tools/belt-sander.pdf

-Pretty simple and efficient belt sander.
http://www.metalwebnews.com/howto/sander1/sander.html

-another
http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&sour...sg=AFQjCNH6s8ZFUusVLpS48gDzSff3llVqpQ&cad=rja

Bench Grinder
​

- decent bench grinder From some salvaged auto parts.
http://www.vintageprojects.com/power-tools/grinder-auto.pdf

Hand held Grinder
​

-Made from a model-t Starting motor. (doesn't have to be from a model-t, There just best and will last longer. You can buy one for 8$, search on Google shopping)
http://www.vintageprojects.com/power-tools/grinder-welding.pdf

Bandsaw
​

- made mostly from Plywood!
http://www.vintageprojects.com/power-tools/bandsaw-plans.pdf

-Made from pipe fittings and some more model-t parts.
http://www.vintageprojects.com/power-tools/pipe-bandsaw-plans.pdf

-This one is mainly for metal, Its a bandsaw-like operated hacksaw.
Version 1 = http://www.vintageprojects.com/machine-shop/power-hackSaw.pdf

Version 2 = http://www.vintageprojects.com/power-tools/elect-hacksaw.pdf

Sander/Saw + Tilting Table
​

-These plans are for a homemade table saw & sander unit with tilting table.
http://www.vintageprojects.com/power-tools/saw-sander-tilt.pdf

Table Saw
​

-Made from Hardwood, angle iron, and Motor driven Saw blade.
http://www.vintageprojects.com/power-tools/table-saw-plans.pdf

Router Table
​

-Shape your wooden scales with this bad boy. made from wood, angle iron, and 1/4 hp motor
http://www.vintageprojects.com/power-tools/table-shaperrouter.pdf

Scroll Saw
​

-Electric Scroll saw. mostly from pipe fittings.
http://www.vintageprojects.com/power-tools/scrollsaw.pdf

-This one is REALLY cool I think, its a foot powered scroll saw!!! save money on the electricity bill!
Part 1 = http://www.vintageprojects.com/power-tools/foot-scrollsaw1.pdf
Part 2 = http://www.vintageprojects.com/power-tools/foot-scrollsaw2.pdf

Forge
​

- Coal forge, made from old Cast Iron Sink, Vacuum blower and motor.
http://www.vintageprojects.com/metal-welding/shop-forge.pdf

-Gas Smelting furnace.
http://www.vintageprojects.com/metal-welding/Furnace-plans.pdf

-another coal forge
http://www.ehow.com/how_6560589_homemade-forge.html

-Pretty nice Gas forge
http://sjaqua.tripod.com/forge.htm

-Link to Stacy's PID control forge sticky thread, the second comment is full of forges, and burners.
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=782574

Welder
​

-REALLY COOL arc welder gun. (probably one of easiest blueprints on here.)
http://www.vintageprojects.com/metal-welding/WeldingGun.pdf

Sand Blaster
​

-If you have an air compressor, and a ton of sand. This job will be simple as pie. Give your knives a nice finish with this baby, Give it a tiger stripe paint job, whatever.
http://www.vintageprojects.com/metal-welding/SandBlaster-plans.pdf

Press Brake
​

-Bend metal perfectly with this, get that perfect 90 degree angle.
http://www.vintageprojects.com/machine-shop/Press-Brake-plans.pdf

Metal Shaper
​

-This is indispensable for certain machining operations where flat surfaces must be produced within very close limits, such as machining flats on castings, cutting keyways, rabbets and grooves and reducing the thickness of stock to a given dimension.
http://www.vintageprojects.com/machine-shop/Shaper.pdf

2 Ton Screw Press
​

-Stamp your trademark on your knives simple as pie. (If only it was automatic... would save thousands on a hydraulic hammer.. I wonder if someone can play around with this design to make it automatic.)
http://www.vintageprojects.com/machine-shop/press.pdf

Etching Pen
​

-Engrave your signature, or engrave some artwork on your knives. (gonna take some practice getting used to.)

Electric Arc Etching Pen = http://www.vintageprojects.com/general-workshop/etching-pen-plans.pdf
Electromagnetic Vibrating Etching Pen = http://www.vintageprojects.com/general-workshop/elect-engraver-plans.pdf
Easiest way ever. Only uses salt, 9volt battery, nail polish, cotton and some wire. I was skeptical about this so I tried it, and HOLY CRAP. I wont even bother wasting money on any etching solution again. I could seriously etch this for about 30 minutes and have a hole. Works GREAT! I used a lot of salt, mixed with hot water to dissolve quick, then added about 1/3rd vinegar. Try this!
http://www.britishblades.com/forums/showthread.php?41757-Simple-blade-etching

Electric Shop Oven
​

-Made from Asbestos/Cement insulation boards, angle iron, and some heater strips. Goes up to 400 degrees F, but you can add extra insulation to trap more heat and make the max temp higher. good for bake on paint, temper your blades a couple times, whatever your wife/girlfriend/Fiance wont let you use the kitchen oven for.
http://www.vintageprojects.com/machine-shop/ShopOven.pdf

Electric Stencil Annodizer
​

-Simple as you can get. Sign your work, or give a colorful finish to your aluminum/Titanium bolsters, spacers or whatever.
http://www.vintageprojects.com/general-workshop/electric-stencil.pdf




A lot of these call for 1/4 HP motor. Just buy one or tear one out of some old tool and just use it interchangeably between projects. Then you'll have a Jerry-rigged professional workshop you can pour knives out of, for about 99% discount on what you would normally spend. I use quite a few homemade tools myself and have used name brand tools with no difference whatsoever. All your doing is buying the name. Any tools can be homemade and work just the same as store bought tools, it just depends on the tools you have to make that tool. Anyone who says different is brainwashed by advertising. My whole life is DIY and I love it! Because I would never have any of this stuff if I didn't make it myself.

There is still much more to add. This thread took me three hours to make so I gotta take a break for a little while... Feel free to recommend a project to add here. Hope This is helpful for y'all

Go Do It Yourself!!

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

I love those old shop photos, and factory photos, where everyone wears a vest and tie at work.

 

[ThirdEye4013]

HaHa I know I thought they were pretty neat. White Collar shop work.

So whats up? Is this helpful for any of you cats reading, or read this? No one is saying anything. I'm dont wanna put another 3 hours in if no one will even use it.

 

[White Rabbit]

That's actually awesome! Thanks for posting this. Immediately bookmarked.

 

[SharpByCoop]

One of those rare instances where, if we gave out A+ chiclets, you DESERVE one. :thumbup: Fantastic post, thank you.

Coop

 

[james terrio]

Heck yeah, really nice find. No time today but I will be checking back for certain to read some of those. Love that kinda stuff, in fact I'm currently re-reading Foxfire #5 about old-time ironmaking, blacksmithing and gunmaking.

Hats off and thanks for sharing those Might end up getting nominated for a sticky.

 

[nate1714]

Some of them sure are "vintage" ha good post.

 

[ThirdEye4013]

K awesome. Now that I know that you guys are interested, I will add a TON more. :thumbup: Glad you guys like.

 

[Patrice Lemée]

I already knew about http://www.vintageprojects.com/ but not the others, thanks for sharing.

 

[ThirdEye4013]

I already knew about http://www.vintageprojects.com/ but not the others, thanks for sharing.

Oh Be prepared, There's MUCH more to come sir.

 

[james terrio]

You might even link to this thread over in W&SS, they love DIY and old-timey stuff too. Might be a little off-topic for them but who knows, lots of those guys make their own knives and gear and whatnot.

 

[jawilder]

Thanks for the very helpful post!