Hello, I am a new member and long time knife lover! I have been making my own knives for the past year or so.
I am using a Harbor Freight 1x32 as of right now but I am looking to upgrade.
I have done much searching and looking around and would like to ask a couple specific questions to any fellow knife makers. The blade material will be 1090 1/4" & AEB-L /1/8" aswell as Martica & titanium.
#1 I'm planning on getting the KMG-PL 3-speed grinder. I really love the frame and will upgrade to a larger motor and VFD in the future if needed. I will be doing doing all flat and convex grinding. So should I also get a contact wheel for stock removal or any other reason & if so what size 8", 10" or smaller?
#2 What belts should I all buy?
I was gonna get Cubitron 80 & 120 aswell as Klingspor jflex 120,220,400 & 800. Should I also get Gator belts in 280, 380 & 600? anything else?
I would just like to run a set or proven belts. Also I plan on acid & stone washing all of my blades. So I don't want waste time on higher grits if its not needed. Although I would also like a completely smooth grind less acid & stone wash finish in the end.
#3 Finally, what about sharpening. A wicked edge just isn't in the budget. Can I free hand it on the grinder? If so what belts? I was gonna get "3M 2x72 307EA Trizact" 1000 & 2000 then strop on leather.
Thank you very much for any help anyone can provide. I have looked and searched around and cant really find a solid answer for these specific questions.
I am using a Harbor Freight 1x32 as of right now but I am looking to upgrade.
I have done much searching and looking around and would like to ask a couple specific questions to any fellow knife makers. The blade material will be 1090 1/4" & AEB-L /1/8" aswell as Martica & titanium.
#1 I'm planning on getting the KMG-PL 3-speed grinder. I really love the frame and will upgrade to a larger motor and VFD in the future if needed. I will be doing doing all flat and convex grinding. So should I also get a contact wheel for stock removal or any other reason & if so what size 8", 10" or smaller?
#2 What belts should I all buy?
I was gonna get Cubitron 80 & 120 aswell as Klingspor jflex 120,220,400 & 800. Should I also get Gator belts in 280, 380 & 600? anything else?
I would just like to run a set or proven belts. Also I plan on acid & stone washing all of my blades. So I don't want waste time on higher grits if its not needed. Although I would also like a completely smooth grind less acid & stone wash finish in the end.
#3 Finally, what about sharpening. A wicked edge just isn't in the budget. Can I free hand it on the grinder? If so what belts? I was gonna get "3M 2x72 307EA Trizact" 1000 & 2000 then strop on leather.
Thank you very much for any help anyone can provide. I have looked and searched around and cant really find a solid answer for these specific questions.
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