Slowly Getting started

[WolfSpring]

So I've been doing repairs to knives for about a year now, done some basic regrinds/reshaping, tip repair and some other minor stuff mostly by hand or with a worksharp, and I liked working on them so I figured I would give a try at making my own. I've read so many tutorials watched so many youtube videos, I think I saw every Trollsky video he's done and he shows everything from hand tools to full on forge stuff and I'm starting to build up my tools. This weekend while at the flea market a fellow vendor buddy of mine had an old Belsaw 1X42 inch belt sander for 50 bucks, I had already bought a drill press for 70 so I figured why not. I've ordered some belts for 12 bucks for a variety pack of 5 grits X 2 belts each and tweaked the sander the best I can and did a basic test on a lawn mower blade I want to start with, the belt on it is wore out but it still worked well. And even if I don't get into making knives I can still use it for lock picks, which I make all the time on a grinder. I see a lot of new guys on here shy off of the price tags on things and they don't want to start with hand tools and I read all the advice on start investing/saving on stuff and which ones to buy and I mainly posted this to say I picked up a belt sander, drill press and new angle grinder for under $200, which are tools I can use outside of knife work as well and these are more as I understand than needed for stock removal. I picked up a respirator and some other minor stuff as well and will probably try my hand at making a blank this weekend, gotta clean the living hell out of my garage so I don't start a fire before I let sparks fly. Gonna do a lot more research and reading find out what I can make from this lawn mower blade probably a short little skinner is all I'll be able to do with it, but it's a step forward. I just wanted to share the beginning of my investment for others out there thinking of doing it, check the pawn shops, flea markets estate sales and be patient, nothing good happens from haste. And thank everyone here for giving back to such a great community and mentoring us beginners with your experience.

 

[Frank Niro]

Looks like you are ready to go as you said. I recommend some inexpensive mild steel bars you can get at pretty much any hardware store to start with. Remember, it's won't be just you that has trouble doing something good to begin with. That's just the way it can be for most of us. There are some that are good out of the starting gate. Maybe 1 in 1000.
Enjoy it as you go. You're competing with yourself.
Frank.

 

[Drew Riley]

Looks like you got yourself a couple of pretty decent starter tools. A good floor model DP is still something I haven't managed to get after all these years.

If I had to guess, I'd say that you could fairly easily convert that grinder to a 2x72, and could probably find some step pulleys to give a variety of speeds.

Looking forward to seeing some work!