Starting over

dialton

dialton

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Jan 1, 2007
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I'm sure there have been plenty of threads here about the best equipment to use and I did perform searches but,
Question is: If you were to start over today knowing what you know now, what basic knifemakers tools would you buy (brand and model specific)? Belt sander, oven, mill?, etc: Knowing that you started off with cheaper or different tools (probably what you could afford at the time or what you knew about) and eventually upgraded to what you now choose to use. Without much regard to the price, what would you buy the first time out to start up if you had the jack?
Yes, I am a wana be. I have finished a few blades that I bought, made several sheaths, and am nearing retirement from my first 30 year career. I am searching for something that I can enjoy doing and supplement my retirement until I can get into my 401K and possibly get SS if there is any left. Startup price is not a huge factor within reason but I am not looking to build a machine shop nor do I expect to get rich. I like seeing the finished product that I just created. I have just found that when I bought cheap tools, I ended up buying the good stuff the second time around and had more money invested than if I had bought right the first time. Old dogs new tricks you know.
 
While tools don't make knives - knife makers make knives, the answer to your question (In my perspective) is this:
You need several basic items to make a knife with better grade tools. Files,sanding supplies,hand tools,normal power tools,optivisor,knife making supplies and specialty small tools (filing jigs,center markers,etc.),etc.

If you will be doing stock removal only:
A good belt grinder - Bader B3 or KMG - VARIABLE SPEED
A good HT over - Paragon 18" or similar
A 2-3 gallon quench tank with commercial quenchant

If forging you will also need:
a serviceable forge - NC forge Co. Lowboy or Knifemaker or similar
or a self built blown forge (this is the best tool to build yourself)
a good 100# or more anvil,plus hammer and tongs.

Other needed tools are:
a large drill press
a metal cutting band saw
a heavy vise
a buffer/polisher made for knife making

Nice to have:
a 9" disc sander
a milling machine (almost a necessity for folders)
a 6X48 belt sander for wood and flat grinding
Good table saw for wood
Band saw for wood
MIG welder
Acetylene torch



Really nice for the big timer or super serious hobbyist:
Power hammer/forging press
salt pots
a second KMG
surface grinder

To make all this possible the winning numbers are 6;13;22;31;39;42

Stacy
 
bladsmth said:
.... To make all this possible the winning numbers are 6;13;22;31;39;42
Click to expand...

:D :thumbup: That's for sure!

It's funny, I was just thinking about this a few month ago when there were fires (not all that close really) in the vicinity---"If the shop burnt down," I thought, "what would I do/get?"
I don't have a whole lot of room (maybe 700 sq. ft) so over the years, I've avoided keeping things around that don't pull their weight, so to speak. I'd pretty much have to replace it all. The question is the order.

It would go something like this:

All the hand tools, wrenches, drills, angle grinders, hammers, measuring equipment, etc.
2x72 belt grinder
Abrasive cut off saw (hate'em, but gotta have one)
Tig/stick welder
Drill press
6x48 belt grinder
Anvil
Forge & salt pots (probably build them all at once)
Forging press
Power hammer
Surface-grinder with 2x72-inch belt conversion
'Big' dust collecting system (6-inch ducts and enough pull to suck a rag out of your hand from 6 or 7 inches.)
Air compressor (two stage, 80 gal.)
14 inch bandsaw suitable for cutting metal.

The list goes on, of course, but you will notice that the order of tools starts with more general fabrication stuff. This is because a lot of this stuff I would make myself, and you really MUST have a welder, for example to make a nice steel welding table, forge, belt grinder, press, or just do simple little stuff when rebuilding the shop.
I would also be looking for another ironworker right away (once you have one, you don't want to do a lot of steel fabrication without it), but of course, it's not a must.
 
Thanks for the replies guys. I have a drill press, small belt sander, hand tools, cutoff, etc: but the big belt sanders and such are quite an investment and of course its cheaper to ask you guys and buy the good stuff than to buy twice.
 
I will give you the one thing I left out:
If I was a retiring person who was going to invest a few thousand (read "many") dollars in making knives, The first money I spent would be to go to the ABS Moran School of Bladesmithing in Arkansas. There you will learn how to use all those tools, and which ones you prefer. Without the base knowledge, you may well invest in a piece of equipment the is valuable to one maker, and useless to another.
Stacy
http://www.americanbladesmith.com/absschoolschedule.htm
 
There are three items I would start with.
I have been using a bader bm2 for quite a few years now and I would say that a good quality 2 x 72 belt sander is the place to start. If you plan on hollow grinding then get the variable speed. If you only want to flat grind, then its not essential.
A good drill press. It doesn't have to be a floor model, but get a good one and you won't regret it.
A metal cutting horzontal/vertical bandsaw, the 5 x 6 model that runs 5'4 1/2" blades. you can cut wood and other handle materials with this saw and I would recommend this beforegetting a wood-only saw.
These three pieces of equipment along with enough bandsaw blades sanding belts and drill bits can be purchased new for around $2000 along with enough blade stock and handle material to make your first dozen knives.
Take it from there, All of us have preferences for extra equipment, but this will enable you to make quality knives without a huge investment.
Thanks,
Del
 
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