Talking about mills...

[Brock Cutlery]

Did someone thought to put grinding belt on miling machine ?

You mean like they do surface grinders? Interesting idea, but costly belt sander.

 

[kuraki]

I don't want grinding grit in my milling machine ways if I can help it.

 

[Brock Cutlery]

i got my mini mill so close that i use a 2 inch swing on my flycutter

Thanks for the inspiration Butch. I did some more squaring off of blocks this afternoon and it appears mine is just slightly off.
Never trammed a mill before, but that is in the cards. This thing might be better than I thought.
It seems consistent at least. (except for the danged head drop. I hate that!).

 

[Brock Cutlery]

Flycutter! Thanks for that tip guys.
I did this little video, the first part is a 5 sec delay timelapse of the 10 minutes it takes me to crank the mill across the entire block.
The fly cutter is real time. So quick! TYVM!

 

[nateman_doo]

If you want the squarest part, first you have to tram your mill.
Also, the least amount of times you move the part in the vise, will yield the best results.

For example, put the block of wood high up in the vise on the tallest parallel you have, then surface the top with an end mill, and do the perimeter of the block. This way you have 5 sides of the block square to each other, then flip and surface the last side.

Also, fly cutters are fun, but get yourself one of these: https://www.glacern.com/fm45
Just to have in your collection. If I see correctly you have the harbor Freight mini mill. I have done numerous upgrades to that some years ago so dont hesitate to send a PM with any questions on how increase spindle speed, increase the X axis, and DOUBLE your Y and Z axis.

 

[Brock Cutlery]

I sure appreciate the advice. Milling the 5 sides, great idea!
I will surely try that. That tool is also pretty cool looking.
It's amazing to see how well that fly cutter goes through the ironwood. I was sure it was just going to send chunks flying in all directions.
Cuts like a dream really.

So what I want to do next, to learn more about milling, is try to cut this handle mostly on the mill.
Not sure how it's going to go, but I think it will be educational at least, even if I have to throw out the results.

 

[Brock Cutlery]

Also, I did replace the gears with the belt kit on my mill. What other upgrades are worth the trouble?

 

[ron_m80]

So I have to ask, being a mill noob. Can you do a tapered tang with a mill? Can you sent a blade bevel with a mill?
Mine is just a manual mini-mill, so ... ?

I haven't gotten a confirmation from anyone, but I'm pretty sure there is a horizontal mill behind many of the "loveless" style knife tangs.

 

[nateman_doo]

Also, I did replace the gears with the belt kit on my mill. What other upgrades are worth the trouble?

The belt drive made the machine quiet and easy to switch gears.
It would completely derail this thread if I went into the upgrades. Send me a PM.

What always cracks me up is wood workers who have never messed with a Milling machine. They say, "this wood is so hard it would destroy cutter" blah blah. Any milling machine designed to cut metal would eat through wood as if it isn't there. Carbide > wood.

 

[butcher_block]

Also, fly cutters are fun, but get yourself one of these: https://www.glacern.com/fm45
Just to have in your collection. If I see correctly you have the harbor Freight mini mill. I have done numerous upgrades to that some years ago so dont hesitate to send a PM with any questions on how increase spindle speed, increase the X axis, and DOUBLE your Y and Z axis.

one day i ll have one for my bridgeport but over kill for a mini mill and about 100 bucks more cost then a flycutter on 2 inch swing im sure they are great but a 2 pound hunk of shell mill on a mini mill has to be a stretch

 

[Kevin McGovern]

I haven't gotten a confirmation from anyone, but I'm pretty sure there is a horizontal mill behind many of the "loveless" style knife tangs.

Are you talking about tapered tangs? if so, it's really easy to grind one on the flat platen with a magnet. Drilling the scales is the hardest part of that operation in my opinion. Hell, I can do it, so it ain't that hard.

 

[Don Hanson III]

I haven't gotten a confirmation from anyone, but I'm pretty sure there is a horizontal mill behind many of the "loveless" style knife tangs.

Most tapered tangs are/or have been ground free hand, it's not that hard and pretty quick, much quicker than a mill! But the Wuertz type surface grinder is a game changer and is being used more for tapering these days. I can do one in less than 5 minutes with the Wuertz.

 

[Geoff Flato]

Loveless used a horizontal mill to slot the guards, they're great for that. Tang tapering is best done freehand or on a surface grinder.

 

[Brock Cutlery]

OK, I am having fun with my Go-pro and my handle milling. Had to post this time-lapse.
Didn't use fly cutter because of the copper. Not sure if that would have worked?

 

[Brock Cutlery]

Another nice thing about milling wood. I cracked my ferrule, but was able to duplicate it in about 15 minutes. It was going to be one contiguous piece of ironwood. Not the ferrule is manzanita.

Trying a bit of a different fit on this one too: