Setting up a home workshop, what do you recommend I get?

D

DireTac

Joined
Oct 24, 2013
Messages
5
Hey all, not 100% sure if I'm posting this in the right forum section, so sorry if that is the case.
A friend and I are just starting a home workshop, and we're just wondering what you all would recommend I get that will allow me to make quality, desirable knives? we are on a very tight budget, and live in Australia, so we are will find it a tad hard to find some particular equipment or materials that have not attracted highly inflated prices. I have some equipment already, and I will list it for you all, if you could please let me know what I should add to this list (if you know quality/affordable brands/models, that would be fantastic!)

- General home tools that any home could not do without (Drill, wrench sets, clamps, a few rough files e.t.c)
- Bench saw
- Bench grinder
- Belt sander
- Disk sander
- Grinder
- 16 speed drill press (purchasing next week)
- Bench vice

Any help would be much appreciated! Tanks in advance!

Oliver-
 
Welcome to Bladeforums.

To get started, you need very few tools. The basic steps in making a knife are:
Select metal type
shape profile
shape bevels
sand to 400 grit
heat treat to harden and temper to toughen
sand to final finish
apply handle
make sheath
sharpen

Most of that can be done with the tools you have plus some good grade files and a stack of Wet-or-Dry sandpaper.

The other things you will want in the shop are:
Good lighting - lots of it.
Sturdy workbench

Filling out your profile will help us with answers, and may tell a nearby maker where you live. Even in Oz there are other knifemakers.

Now, as to quality and desirable knives?????? That comes with experience and learning what your public wants and needs. Some people do that with nothing but a file and sandpaper, others with mills and CNC equipment. Some use basic steel and plain wood, others use damascus and rare ivories. Start with simple equipment and materials and work up as needed.

The Count will chime in soon with his advice to newbies, but in the mean time, the stickies have most all the info you need.
 
Thank you very much for the quick reply!

I will fill out more information so to help people in answering my questions!

Thank you for your advice it was extremely helpful!

Oliver
 
I would suggest dust control, later after you laid out your shop its gets to be more difficult to connect the machines that need pipe connections. Right now that can be considered in your layout.

I have a 4" PVE pipe connected to a large blower, it just blows out the door. From the PVC I have 2" connector hoses with gate valves to direct the flow to each machine. This
requires all the machines to be in a line and near the pipe.

Dust control is needed for your safety and without it your shop will soon be buried in dust.
 
WOW you know your way around this website! thanks so much for the information!! I guess I should have looked harder!
 
Thank you! I didnt even think of that! I'll have to go get that set up before I start making!
 
I am living proof of the dust control issue.
My shop is covered. I use a shop vac after every hour or so along with a bucket of water but it just doesn't cut it.

I wish I would have budgeted some sort of collection but since I didn't it's going to be a little longer before I am able to buy something. Also I know it's going to be a pain to route compared to what it would have been
 
i embrace dust it lets me know ihave been working and and the tools that are clean arthe ones that were used last :)
 
Thank you all for the awesome info!! I am so glad that i founs an online community that are as helpful as you all!!
 
sounds like you have the right tools to make knives just keep in mind not to underestimate the work of a file, always remember to use good steel and heat treat and temper them correctly. good luck and happy knife making!
 
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