what else should I order from us knife maker

B

beochie

Joined
Jan 21, 2009
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well I'm wrapping up my grinder build and I am placing an order from usknifemaker so far I have:

6ea.- 2"x72" Zirc Belt Y weight grit 120
3ea.- 2"x72" Zirc Belt Y weight grit 80
2ea.- Norax 100x #U264 2"x72" Belt Engineered Abrasive
2ea.- Norax 65x #U264 2"x72" Belt Engineered Abrasive
1ea.- Ceramic Glass Platen Liner flat platen 2"x8"x 0.192"
2ea.- Pillow Block Bearings 5/8" shaft UCP 200 series

I have one incomplete blade done from files, other than that I'm new. Anything elseI should get? hows my order look?
 
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Do you have handle material, epoxy, pin material? You should ask Tracy, the guy who owns usaknifemaker. He's helped me decide what I needed to purchase before.
 
I would get 6 of the 80 grit and 3 of the 120. other than that looks ok.I tend to use twice as many 80 grit belts than anything else.
Stan
 
Hi Friend,

That's good news. Are you posting photos? A few other grinding aids you might want, if you don't already have...

  • good respirator and eye protection!
  • file/shoulder guide
  • blue layout fluid
  • a means to scribe lines, particularly the blade's center line
  • calipers
  • rubber block belt cleaner
  • a truck load of patience and perseverance
Be safe and Have fun! -Phil
 
I often stop at 400 grit and use a medium scotchbrite belt. They last for a long time.

I assume you have some kind of contact wheel, 8" 10" or 14" are real popular. You can rough against a contact wheel better than a platen because there is no belt drag. The belts will last longer, cut better and the grinder won't bog down as much.

You do have some knife steel to convert into dust, right?

You do have a particle respirator, right? A common newb mistake is to underestimate the need to protect your lungs from the steel and belt dust. It accumulates rapidly and gets pretty serious. Long term lung damage takes all the fun out of knifemakeing.

You do have material for scales and pins and stuff, right?

Sand paper for hand sanding?

Slow set epoxy?

Liner material? (I like 1/32" black best)

The only other thing I can think of is bandaids and or quick set superglue


Edit: I use a small wheel attachment all the time.
 
I think Nathan is right about the small wheel attachment. I built my grinder about a month ago and did plan for a small wheel because I thought I wouldn't need one. I have since learned that it sure makes life much easier getting into tight places! And it takes about a tenth of the time to do finger groves with a small wheel than with files and sand paper.

Another thing I would do differently is order ceramic belts from the start. They last much longer than the AO belts period. I like the 60 grit belts for profiling and bevels but 80 would work too.
 
I second the 60 grit I use 3 times more of those than any other. Then I skip to 120 then 240 of the zirc belts. Buy yourself some AO belts too. They're cheap. I get 36, 80, 120, 240, and 400. Don't use them on steel and they'll last pretty good. Get a rubber block for cleaning them out. I've been using usknifemakers cork belts now too and really like them. They last a long time so one of the 400 and maybe 600 will do for a while. I'm no expert but that's what I use. Everyone has their own way and after a few knives you will figure out what you use the most of. Good luck and have fun.
 
this is what my order is going to end up looking like. If we can get this CC thing figured out. I'm starting with some 1/8th in knives will these liners be ok?

1ea.- Brite Red .039" 8"x11.5" Vulcanized Liner Spacer Material

1ea.- Vulcanized Liner Spacer Material Black .031" 8"x11.5"

1ea.- Vulcanized Liner Spacer Material Blood Red .031" 8"x11.5"

1ea.- Ceramic Glass Platen Liner flat platen 2"x8"x 0.192"

6ea.- Zirc 80x grit 2"x72" R823 Norton Norzon Plus Zirconia Alumina

1ea.- Dykem 4oz Blue Layout Fluid Brush in cap bottle

1ea.- Black and Tan 2x2 G10 pair scales 5"x1.5"x3/16"

1ea.- Black Canvas 1/4" x 5" x (at least) 2.5" Plus SizScales Micarta

1ea.- Green Canvas 3/8" x 5" x 1.5" Scales Micarta

3ea.- Zirc 120x grit 2"x72" R823 Norton Norzon Plus Zirconia Alumina B

2ea.- Norax 65x #U264 2"x72" Belt Engineered Abrasive

2ea.- Norax 100x #U264 2"x72" Belt Engineered Abrasive

1ea.- -Abrasive Belt and Disc Cleaner Small 1"x1"x6"

2ea.- Pillow Block Bearings 5/8" shaft UCP 200 series with remove inse

and here is my grinder
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?p=7097965#post7097965
 
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Maybe I misread something, but most of us rough grind with 50X or 60X belts. I prefer 60X myself. 80X is pretty coarse and will remove quite a lot of metal... but the difference going to a 60X will make a BIG difference when hogging off steel. :)
 
NickWheeler said:
Maybe I misread something, but most of us rough grind with 50X or 60X belts. I prefer 60X myself. 80X is pretty coarse and will remove quite a lot of metal... but the difference going to a 60X will make a BIG difference when hogging off steel. :)
Click to expand...

I second that.
 
I'm going to start off with aprox 1/8th bar I just thought 60x would be over kill for the thin of stock
 
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