I just started grinding knives, and I'm looking for a better (faster) way to do the rough shaping. Right now, I'm using a hacksaw, a dremel, and lots of patience, then I finish off with a belt grinder, but I'd love a more efficient way to do this. I don't want to spend the money on a bandsaw yet, but I can justify buying a sawzall for under 200, because of all the other things I can do with one. Is this a good idea?
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Sawzall to Profile Blades?
- Thread starter Burke
- Start date
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- Dec 14, 1999
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- 672
Burke,
Metal cutting bandsaws may be purchased for under $200. A slow speed and highest hp for the money are the two things I would look for. Both Harbor Freight and Grizzly sell them (I think they are the same machine) for $160-$180. Be sure to buy a good bi-metal blade.
If you want to spend less money, consider a bench grinder. They cut almost as fast as a good belt grinder without wasting expensive belts on your profile.
That is how I do it. I hope to get the bandsaw soon though.
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None are more hopelessly enslaved than those who falsely believe they are free. -Goethe
Metal cutting bandsaws may be purchased for under $200. A slow speed and highest hp for the money are the two things I would look for. Both Harbor Freight and Grizzly sell them (I think they are the same machine) for $160-$180. Be sure to buy a good bi-metal blade.
If you want to spend less money, consider a bench grinder. They cut almost as fast as a good belt grinder without wasting expensive belts on your profile.
That is how I do it. I hope to get the bandsaw soon though.
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None are more hopelessly enslaved than those who falsely believe they are free. -Goethe
- Joined
- Jun 12, 1999
- Messages
- 1,110
bench grinders burn the steel to fast.
- Joined
- Aug 24, 1999
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I'm not sure where you're seeing a metal-cutting bandsaw for $180, Kaos, but the best that I could find at Grizzly was the following:
http://www.grizzly.com/fcgi-bin/lookup.fcgi/products/lookup.cfg?q=sub_category&kw=Bandsaws%20and%20Hacksaws
Now, their wood-cutters are about $160-200 for a decent one, but you'll burn 'em up pretty quick if you throw steel on one of those...
If you can give me a link off to a $160 metal-cutter, I'll dance in the aisles, 'cause Gods know that I'm looking, too!
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One little nuclear holocaust can REALLY hose your bowling average...
http://www.grizzly.com/fcgi-bin/lookup.fcgi/products/lookup.cfg?q=sub_category&kw=Bandsaws%20and%20Hacksaws
Now, their wood-cutters are about $160-200 for a decent one, but you'll burn 'em up pretty quick if you throw steel on one of those...
If you can give me a link off to a $160 metal-cutter, I'll dance in the aisles, 'cause Gods know that I'm looking, too!
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One little nuclear holocaust can REALLY hose your bowling average...
- Joined
- Nov 24, 1999
- Messages
- 4,981
A sawzall will do it, although it won't get you any closer to the lines of your pattern than your hacksaw. Make sure you clamp the steel god and tight and make sure your always cutting close to the vise so you don't bend the steel up. Also, I wouldn't try cuting aynthing under 1/8" stock with it as it will bend and vibrate like crazy and ruin a lot of steel and saw blades.
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Fix it right the first time, use Baling Wire !
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Fix it right the first time, use Baling Wire !
- Joined
- Mar 18, 1999
- Messages
- 2,112
http://www.grizzly.com/fcgi-bin/lookup.fcgi/products/lookup.cfg?q=item&kw=G1010
Check out the site above. I have this particular model and it is suited for light work like profiling blades. As mentioned previously, get a bi-metal blade. I use 18-20 tpi.
Before I bought one of these, I used a Port-A-Band.
C Wilkins
Check out the site above. I have this particular model and it is suited for light work like profiling blades. As mentioned previously, get a bi-metal blade. I use 18-20 tpi.
Before I bought one of these, I used a Port-A-Band.
C Wilkins
Marcel J.B. Morin
Gold Member
- Joined
- Sep 17, 1999
- Messages
- 602
Harbor Freight has a 3 speed band saw with a 1h.p. motor on sale right now for $140 delivered anywhere in continental U.S.
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- Dec 14, 1999
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Kalindras,
I guess C L beat me to it. Harbor Freight recently advertised what appears to be the exact model for $159.
Magnum,
I haven't had that particular problem, but I don't push too hard and I dip it often.
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None are more hopelessly enslaved than those who falsely believe they are free. -Goethe
I guess C L beat me to it. Harbor Freight recently advertised what appears to be the exact model for $159.
Magnum,
I haven't had that particular problem, but I don't push too hard and I dip it often.
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None are more hopelessly enslaved than those who falsely believe they are free. -Goethe
- Joined
- Jun 12, 1999
- Messages
- 1,110
i push all my tools to the limit, so the bench grinders burn it easily. i have a 1"x30" belt sander, it works better than a bench grinder for me.