What can I do about this?

T

Tayous

Joined
Oct 22, 2001
Messages
47
I have been making knives for about 4 years then I moved in to an apartment for the last past 7 months and it's killing me now not being able to make knives. I made most of my knives from bar stock or a forge.

I know I just can't set up my belt sander and bench grinder and just start making a knife. I was thinking of forming the blade with files (I know it takes a long time.) I don't know what to do all I know is that it is killing me right now.
 
It's a long shot, but maybe you can find out if there are any professional smiths in the area. Introduce yourself, and offer to help out in the shop.

Here's another possibility, it worked for me. I found a blacksmith shop at a local historic farm (it's a CA state park.) I do volunteer work, helping out in the shop, and I get forge time. Now, i've got the smith totally hooked on bladesmithing (but he makes most of his $$ in farrier work.) I help him in bladesmithing & handle work, he gives be pointers on my hot work techniques. It's a good mutually beneficial arrangement.

He's so hooked on baldesmithing that he's going to designate one weekend a month (off season) to bladesmithing hammer-ins.

Hope this helps!
 
Heck set your grinder up on a cart with wheels and just push it out into the parking lot and run a extension cord out to it and grind awy.I used to do this when i was younger and did allot of wood working,It also got me allot of business ;)
Just pass teh manager a cool knife and nobody else will bother you if the manager says anything.
I know a couple of guys that use wet grinders and set them up in the closet.they made sure the motors were quiet and then when shaping handles they would ruff shape with files and cut the scales by hand and didn't have any problems,You might set a small bench out side if you have a back porch type of area that you can solder on and do little things like drill or something quiet like that outside so it doesn't mess up the inside of the apartment.
You would be suprised at the inovative things you can do if you put your mind to it.Find a machine shop in town and have them cut the blanks for you and drill the holes...
Or you can check and see if there is any night classes in your area that offer classes in metal working,This would give you access to all the machines and then you could do the hand work on the table at home..
Just some ideas,
Bruce:D :D :D
 
Do you have any relatives in the area? You could ask them if you could put a free standing structure like a small shed in their backyard and work there, or rent a small commercial garage bay and then you can make all the noise you want. Just my 2c
 
Hey there Tayous, I imagine if you do a search on this forum you would find more information than I could possibly give you. Personally, I would check out Koval's, Texas Knifemakers, Sheffield Supply and Jantz. Texas Knifemakers has an online catalog you can download, not sure about the others. I believe it is Koval's that sells the really cool 605 folder kit. Search the Internet, there is a lot more sites than what I have listed here.

Hugh
 
Thanks for the help guy's!!! If I get a few kit's I'll have to post them here after I'm finished with them.
 
fey when i started a liffle under 5 years ago i just set the grinder out on the apt, pourch it make so much noise that the down stairs neirbor offered to rent half of his garrage in the back of the building dirt cheap:D i am still there today. i give him a kicten knife about once a year. also i sharpen knives no charge! for a couple of people in the next building:D to keep them quite. i am a full time maker
 
Originally posted by 3/16th's
Hey there Tayous, I imagine if you do a search on this forum you would find more information than I could possibly give you. Personally, I would check out Koval's, Texas Knifemakers, Sheffield Supply and Jantz. Texas Knifemakers has an online catalog you can download, not sure about the others. I believe it is Koval's that sells the really cool 605 folder kit. Search the Internet, there is a lot more sites than what I have listed here.

Hugh
Click to expand...

Does any one know the web page to Texas Knifemakers? Or if Koval's has one also?
 
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