What machine helped you the MOST?

Trace Rinaldi

Trace Rinaldi

Joined
Oct 3, 1998
Messages
1,774
We are always buying new machinery, but what machine or item has helped you the MOST making knives? I LOVE my Horizontal grinder from JL, and think Scotch Bright belts were sent from above... Anyone else?

Take Care
Trace Rinaldi
www.thrblades.com
 
A heavy belt grinder is a given....But I would have to say that the 9" disk.

Sincerely,
Rob
 
it depneds ofcourse...the most was when I got my "Anso grindmaster".....big grinder!....second place my 12" disksander, and 3rd place my Pantograhp even though I have not used it much sofar...(new) but will use it for engaving name, making interframes and stuff like that.
 
My Hard Core grinder has helped me out the most. The machine is variable speed and this makes it easy to use. The machine is very versatile and can be set up to grind almost any blade pattern. It has a flat platen attachment with 5 and 2 inch wheels, 9 inch disk with work rest, small wheel attachment, and a eight inch contact wheel.

I was reading on another forum how Steve Johnson ground the Big Bear with a 4 inch contact wheel. I took some inspiration from a Ron Gaston knife and did a taper tang double grind on the 5 inch wheel. Cleaned the flats up on the 9 inch disk. Wow it went great. Best part was no hand sanding. I will be doing more double ground blades.
 
I'm a do it your selfer,so i would have to say my 10 inch lathe with it i build my own grinders 2 x72 and disc both which are used in many knife making operations.
 
Definitely my variable speed Bader. I do a lot of double grinds, some as long as 18", using 2", 3" and 5" wheels and would hate to try that with anything else. This knife was ground with a 1" wheel.
 
The variable speed motors on my grinders. Now I just need a few more, to install on the rest of my machinery.;)
 
I would hate to do without my 2" x 72" grinder, but if I didn't have my forge and anvil I would quit. So I guess, I consider my forge my most important piece of shop equipment. Theres just nothing like getting rid of all your stress beating on hot steel and its fun too. :D :D

Bill
 
Absolutely no tool has ever made as big a diffrence in knife making (or metal working general) for me than my variable speed B3. This is the World's Finest Tool, as far as I'm concerned. Everything with a motor should be as steady, strong, quiet and controllable as this one.

Dave
 
My wife, with out her I would not
be doing this knifemaking thing.
I would have to get a real job.

Ok she is not a machine
 
my coote 2x72 grinder was the first machine that really allowed me to make this gig profitable enought to go full time. :) and one of the best best $200.00 investments was my foredom flex shaft hand drill. then the hardcore made life a lot easier,LOL smoooottthhh. then i just had rob frink build a 9" disc sander that i am growing to love more everyday! ok trace i know that's four machines, but they all do their part :cool:
 
In my shop I agree with MJ. When I hooked up my variable speed rig to my wilton I was amazed how much it improved my blades.
Overall, I have to say my computer has been the most important machine I've aquired. Without it I would never have gotten past the level of knife making I was at before. I also never would have made so many wonderful friends and contacts and recieved so much encouragement and knowledge at Blade Forums and all the other knife nut cyber homes.
Excellent thread Trace!!
 
My Power Hammer,Then the variable speed motor on my grinder..:D
Really all my machines have certain jobs to do and without each and every one I wouldn't make the knives I do,Can't wait to see what happens when I get some ne and real machines some day...
Bruce
 
The more power equipment I have the more I seem to rely on hand work. I wouldn't do without my macherny but hand work is important!
Making mistakes slowly, Lynn
 
Originally posted by L6steel
Overall, I have to say my computer has been the most important machine I've aquired. Without it I would never have gotten past the level of knife making I was at before. I also never would have made so many wonderful friends and contacts and recieved so much encouragement and knowledge at Blade Forums and all the other knife nut cyber homes.
Excellent thread Trace!!
Click to expand...

Ditto about the computer. If I had no computer and internet, I'd still be trying to grind pieces of metal on the concrete of my sidewalk and trying to heat treat with my lighter (it doesn't work. :) )
 
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