shopping spree?

NickWheeler

NickWheeler

Joined
Dec 3, 1999
Messages
9,437
Okay, if you had $5000 to "blow"
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on knifemaking equipment , what would you buy???

Any responses are welcome. I'm thinking about a mill with a knee, a small surface grinder....?????

What about you?

Nick
 
Definitly a surface grinder and I'd spend the rest visitin some of the wonderful makers we have here on the forums! Tools are great but knowledge is the ultimate!

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Always think of your fellow knife makers as partners in the search for the perfect blade, not as people trying to compete with you and your work!
http://www.nebsnow.com/L6steel
Buzzards gotta eat, same as worms!!!
 
Discounting my grinders, the one piece of equipment I would hate to try to get along without would be my plasma cutter! If you do alot of knives and or patterns this "puppy" will save you alot of time, well worth the money, and the pay back is fast!
 
I agree on knowledge. I'd take courses and visit other makers and watch how they do it. A forge and press may be on the list.

...Or maybe I'd just keep grinding till it's all gone.
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Rob!

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Rob Ridley
Ranger Original Handcrafted Knives
 
A variable speed Wilton or Bader and an oven for heat treating blades, if there was any thing left after that I'd try to find a really good used anvil in the 200 to 300 lb. range and a used heavy post vise. I have to admit a week or two at a school learning how to forge knives and make damascus would be mighty tempting also!-Guy T.
 
If you can find a $5000 CNC plasma cutter, let me know, huh???? I'll buy the damn thing on the spot!!!!!!
I'd go for the Mill. I have a Lagun mill, and would be lost without it. I only paid 3500 for it, and had a friend scrape the ways for me. I haven't started making knives yet, but it's been invaluable to me.
 
Code3 I bet they are out there. Maybe not new though. Where do you live? I live in southeastern wash. also. Bruce
 
Looks like everyone wants a plasma cutter but I cant imagine why....you can buy bar stock any thickness and width you want.... cut it with a chop saw or cuttoff wheel and its almost there....the machines that a knifemaker NEEDS are a variable speed grinder, a vise, a drill press, and a buffer; after that I would get another grinder....a big strong one (bader with 2 or 3 hp motor) and then a milling maching... the bigger the better....you can fly cut you steel and if you are careful and your bed is flat it will come out close to blanchard ground.......I have been making knives for 18 years and have never needed a surface grinder....I would like to have one, but its definitely a luxury....

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http://www.mayoknives.com


 
I have to admit I am surprised by such a strong taking to plasma cutters. That wasn't an expected response at all.

I'm really torn on whether or not to get a mill with a knee or save some money and just get a bench-top that's better than the one I have access to.

At $1400 the Grizzly surface grinder is awfully tempting. Yeah, a guy can do without it, but it sure would save time, and not to mention how nice it would be to have a piece come out to absolute flat...

Well, I'm not in too much of a hurry to burn a hole in my pocket. I guess I'll keep sitting on it and try to come up with the best thing to do with it in due time. It's my Nick's knife fund that has been set-aside and the urge to get more tools seems strong lately...
rolleyes.gif


Thanks for the replies!
Nick

[This message has been edited by NickWheeler (edited 11-25-2000).]
 
Plasma cutters?? I wouldn't recommend them for air hardening materials! We have both a CNC AND the tracer style at work. They both harden so much of the edge of the knife blank, I can band saw them and grind them to shape faster!!
Nick, I would only consider the Grizzly surface grinder a starting point! Having converted one to belt use, replacing bearings, making a custom contact wheel, fixing the counterweight etc., etc., etc,. I would consider the $1400 price just a place to start!! By the way, Harbor Frieght sells the SAME machine for about $1000, it's just painted red instead of green! Even if you figure doubling the price to make it knife useable, you are still at a price point that is MUCH less than what a power feed grinder with coolant capability will cost. So there goes about $2500 of your 5K we all WISH we had to spend
wink.gif

If I had 5 thousand to spend, I would put AC in my shop along with a window to see out in the back yard! With the money left over, I would stockpile some Talonite, Stellite and maybe some FANCY handle materials!!
Neil

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Talonite???Stellite!!!
Knives in STOCK!!


blackwoodknives.com
 
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