Thanks alot guys..

[swede2207]

Well i got the itch, and just had to get to grinding. So i started on a lawnmower blade. Which i put in a makeshift forge and "annealed" But in retrospect im pretty sure i couldve just started removing stock.Does anyone know for sure? Anyway i spent a good 3 hours with my trusty file shaping slowly but surely. I have decided i love the way that file feels biting into the work..my wife thinks ive lost it.Today i was in sears and purchased a 2 x 42 6 in disc grinder/sander for 70 bucks. It was a display,so i got a good price break..is this going to be sufficient ? I used it a little today and it seemed to work great..but i got worried about getting my new "blade"(i may be on my way to that ugly knife award)too hot so i am content now at the bench with my file. Any advice on techniques or steel types for ugood usable knives would be appreciated. And all of thin i have all of you to think for getting me hooked. Thanks alot guys!

 

[PlaceKnives]

Hi,
I have a Sears 2X42 belt sander just like yours,
click here to see what I've made with mine...

I enjoy using O-1 tool steel, it's pretty easy to grind and since most of my work is done with a file, it's pretty forgiving. I use 440C stainless too, but it's twice as hard to work with using only a file. When I do grind with the sander I keep a bucket of water near by to quench the blade and keep it cool.

I suggest grinding on some scrap metal for a while and play with your new belt sander using it with and without the platen to see what you can do and to get a feel for it.

Take care,
Jared

 

[John Andrews]

Yep, you are hooked! You realize it is a one way road, and the addiction just gets worse, don't you? I guess so; you just bought your first piece of machinery. For your next machine, all you gotta do is convince your wife you HAVE to have it, and then feel free to blame it on us. Better yet, blame it on Indian George! Heck, if it works for a new machine, we are here for ya. We are in this together, fella.

 

[indian george]

Better yet, blame it on Indian George! Heck, if it works for a new machine, we are here for ya. We are in this together, fella.

HEHEHE!!! Sure go ahead and blame it on a nice guy like me. Thanks Ole Hickory Redskin Buddy
On the 2 X 42 Sears grinder if you add a harden piece of precision ground O-1 to the the platen it will aid in your plunge cuts. I just did for one of my students and his plunge cut are dead nuts now.

 

[swede2207]

Okay here is where i show my ignorance.What is a plunge cut? Im assuming the platen is the metal backing behind the belt? I just got my ats 34 should i give it a go or should i give it to someone who knows whats going on.How about blade shapes? I was wanting some type of a fighter since im into martial arts. Just one more hobby lol. Thanks for all the input.

 

[peter nap]

ugly knife award)too hot so i am content now at the bench with my file. Any advice on techniques or steel types for ugood

A knife doesn't have to be pretty to be a good knife. I used to try to build works of art like some of the other makers here. Some of us just aren't very artsy. I have to settle for a cutter. Some of the people here are naturals. Look back and look at some of Gouges or Rodgers knives when they started. Look at them now and you just won't believe the progress they made in such a short time!