Shop setup and tool selection

[hotnapalmdeath]

Hello all! I have been reading posts on this site for a while and finally realized that I should become a member and actually ask some of the questions I have. Forgive me if I ask something that has already been asked and please point me in the right direction to find any possible answers. A bit about me so you know where I am coming from before I go into my question. I have a bachelors degree in studio art concentrating on jewelry and metal smithing and I have been into historical re-enactment for about 15 years. I have been making knives off and on for about 10 years but without any consistent direction or shop to speak of but now I have concentrated on setting up a black smithing, knife making and armoring shop for a full time business.
I have a decent forge, crappy anvil, various tongs, hammers and I am beginning to build and collect stakes and other swage type objects but I am curious about what you all find to be the most important tools and machines in your shops so I know where to spend the time and money on first. I have the plans for a no-weld grinder and I am going to build one but what else do you consider to be the more important tools. I have a lot of Harbor freight tools, crappy wire-feed welder, 1X30 belt grinder, bench grinder, angle grinder,scroll saw and assorted hand tools and cordless tools. I am considering an Oxy-acetylene welder, metal cutting bandsaw, and whatever other items the general populace would consider important. I have a relatively limited budget so I want to get the most important tools first and work on the rest later. Thanks for your time and all the lessons I have already learned from this site

Sincerely
William Conn

 

[Wloch248]

If you are budget minded and essential tools are your priority I would suggest as follows:

1. Build your no weld grinder or equivalent. By far the most used/important tool I have is my GIB (grinder in a box). If you are doing this for a full time job it would be to your benefit to have a good grinder. There are some other lower cost options as well but the 2x72 is a must. Variable speed if you can. You won't regret it.
2. Harbor Freight portable band saw with some decent bi-metal blades. You can weld up a stand for it with that wire fed welder you have. Makes it so much easier to shape your stock. I also find that I use it for just about all of my cutting needs.
3. Drill press. Keeping with the limited budget, a recent thread showed that quite a few people are using the Harbor Freight ones with decent success.
3. Good sandpaper (Rhynowet Redline from supergrit.com) It really makes a difference to use good paper for finishing.
4. A decent set of files. Nicholson or better
5. At least one or two good vices. (i assume you have some with the other tools you mentioned)


If you are able to do your own heat treat with your forge I would prob wait on the OA set up.

Choose your steel wisely. I see you have been making a few knives but with what steel? I would stay away from all unknown steels if you are making a business out of it. I use 1080/1084 because there is tons of info on it and you can get good results with a home heat treat.

Nathan

 

[Justin King]

Beyond what you already have or have plans for, I would want a drill press and bandsaw next, and in that order. Beyond that, I would buy, aquire, or make things as you find a need for them. Probably the best bit of advise is to use good abrasives and tooling whenever possible. A cheap drill press with a sharp bit will drill better than a good press with a dull bit, and likewise for many of the tools you will use. This goes double for grinders and belts, and quadruple for hand sanding.

 

[hotnapalmdeath]

Thanks for your input so far. I do indeed have a cheap harbor freight drill press as well, kind of forgot about it.. I think I will get a better one soon.. As far as steels go I have been practicing with junkyard steel and various bits of O-1. I will eventually start purchasing a set type of steel for my knifes and will probably use what you suggested. Any suggestions on what kind of vices would be good if I cannot find a decent post vice for cheap?

Sincerely
William Conn

 

[oldanvilyoungsmith]

If you want to get a good but small size bandsaw, I cannot do anything other than highly recommend you get a dewalt portaband with variable speed. (I got one used on ebay for $115, and could have gone cheaper if I waited and watched longer). Then take it and mount it vertically on a wall (how I have it for space saving) or on a small tabe for putting on a bench.

The dewalt is powerful, hardy, a great brand, and I got mine (and the parts for mounting it) for what it would have cost me to get a new cheapo benchtop bandsaw from lowes.




O/A torch is good, I recently got one, and love having it, but it isn't the most used tool in a knifemakers arsenal.


Vises, I had a cheap 3" for a while, and hated it. Then someone gave me a very large old Wilton, I like it, and still have it, but the swivel base was broken. So when I was able to get a 5 1/2" wilton vixe for 1/2 off at the hardware store I work at, I snapped it up. I love it. Eventually I'll get a post vise, but till then, this one is great.

As for steel, Aldo's (njsteelbaron.com) 1084 is likely the best beginner steel you can get (imho). Great price, great service, and a great steel.

Good luck!