using lapidary equipment for knifemaking???

G

gotmike

Joined
Nov 26, 2012
Messages
121
i have some lapidary (rock/gem working) equipment and i'm thinking of trying some of the polishing equipment on a knife blade (when i get down to making one)... has anyone ever tried it??? i have a 6" expanding belt sanding piece that can run silicone carbide, zirconium,or diamond belts... the zirc belts will go to 800 grit, while the diamond belts will go to 100,000 grit... yes you read that right... i'm likely going to try it regaurdless but was wondering if anyone had ever tried it??? i know it can polish a stone to a mirror finish... i used an old belt to touch up an old timer knife but the belt was so worn out it didn't do much for it anymore... i'm planning on getting a few new belts anyway... should i try a super high grit for a final polish? or just stick to manual methods??? going to try to convince the wife to let me make an order for some steel and sanding/grinding stuff next month... just wondering if it would be worth it???

this is what i have
DSC03403B.JPG

http://www.ebay.com/itm/BUTW-new-6-x-2-1-2-expandable-rubber-sanding-drums-/350422692659?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item5196d1f333
 
I use one frequently. Expanding drums should work well for grinding a knife blade. Just don't run them over the recommended speed. If a belt breaks they can literally explode if run overspeed. It happened to me years ago.
 
did my original search and didn't bring up much... then i spelled it right... got a bunch of old threads all the sudden... even a couple really great ideas on keeping the wheel wet without as much mess as i'm used to (sponge idea) i've run it off a 1/2 hp bench grinder for several years now doing small rock polishing stuff... so i'm good there.. it just usually sprays everywhere so i usually only do it during the summer when i can be outside doing it.. lol... thanks though...
 
I tried using an expandable drum just like that years ago.
Got rid of it.
I found it didn't really provide a truly flat surface and would contort if you leaned on it.
Also the abrasive wears out fast because it's only the diameter of the drum rather than, say, 72 inches.
The abrasive would shift on the edge too--right where you need to do a lot of work-- because the edge (not being particularly rigid) would collapse a bit and the abrasive would scoot over.
I didn't like it for handles either because I found it difficult to maintain strait lines with it.
If you're cabbing an opal or something, you'd be GTG, I suppose.
 
As a lapidary, gemcutter, and goldsmith for longer than most of the forumites here have been alive, I will say that the equipment can be used for a few things, but generally isn't well suited to knifemaking tasks. The expanding drums are OK for handle work....that is about it. If you try and use them to polish a blade, it will leave a million tiny facets, and will ruin the look you are trying to attain. A Sears 2X42 would be far better for blades.

Hand sanding can't be matched with any tool.

Before I sold it, I would use my 10" Imahashi for sharpening gravers and carbide drill bits, so I guess that counts as another knifemaking use for lapidary tools. I would refer to the machine as "The World's most expensive drill doctor".
 
I'm working on getting a delta 2" belt sander right now... Just thought that working some profiles with the drum might work well... But now I know a bit of what to expect if working a blade... Thanks guys...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top