what should I buy first?

Matt Shade

Matt Shade

Joined
Nov 24, 1999
Messages
4,981
I'm trying to decide if I should get a bandsaw or a grinder. I found a benchtop bandsaw for metal that I think is in the right price range, and I also need a grinder. I can't afford a good belt grinder, but I did find a Delta combonation grinder that has a 5" dry wheel that runs at 3450rpm and a 10 inch wet wheel that runs at 70 rpm. The dry wheel is 120 grit and the wet wheel is 220. I think it has 1/5 horsepower. Both wheels are vertical.I have some stuff for a folder coming and the thought of trying to cut it out with a hacksaw and a reciprocating saw makes me really want the band saw. I am planning on grinding it out on my 4x36with 6"disk benchtop belt sander. What would you get?

------------------
Fix it right the first time, use Baling Wire !
 
the thee things that you really need are a GOOD belt sander...a drill press...and a buffer...the rest will come later...save up and buy a good belt sander first...
 
Matt, at Harbour Freight you can buy a real good 6 by 48 belt sander with a 9" disc for around $170. Shipping is free. I got one a couple months ago, and it is great for flat grinding blades. It's a tad on the slow side , only runs around 1700 fps, but at slower speeds, you're less likely to mess up or get hurt. I have used a Wilton square wheel grinder for three years, and never did a flat grind till I bought this 6 by 48. They also have a nice buffer for $99.
Like Tom said, save up and the other things will come to you. For the first 3-31/2 years of my knife making, 99% of the money I made, plus some extras, went right back into more equipment and materials for my shop.I still don't have all the things I want.Anyone have an extra surface grinder or a heat treat oven laying around they don't need,and would like to donate to a good cause ???
You'll be suprised how soon you'll be making knives and selling them. Try to always have one or two of your knives with you to show off. Don't ever undersell your skills and yourknives. Take care! Michael

------------------
"Always think of your fellow knife makers as partners in the search for the perfect blade, not as people trying to compete with you and your work!"


[This message has been edited by L6STEEL (edited 13 December 1999).]
 
Matt-

I would really recommend NOT buying the delta grinder. That's really a tool geared towards woodworkers that are going to use the fine wheel to sharpen chisels and jointer blades while using the coarse wheel to take out an occasional chip in a blade.

I am pretty sure you are in that boat of not knowing what to get, but a big part of that is not knowing where to look.

I think you should check out companies like:

Grizzly Ind. (they carry some low cost, decent quality grinders, buffers, drill presses, ect.)

Enco (a ton of machining and woodworking tools)

Rutland Tool (same as Enco)

Harbor Freight (same as Enco)

These are just a handful. There are places like MSC that have everything under the sun and they'll get it to you in a day or two but you pay through the nose for that.

The thing about knifemaking is the skill and patience is the backbone. The tools just make it all faster and "easier."

And to be brutally honest, a folder is a pretty hard place to start. It can be done, but without a mill and a lathe it will be a great deal harder.

The minimal amount of tools I think you can get by making a folder with is a quality set of files and a drill press. If you can't get accurate holes in your folder components it will never have a smooth action if it even works....


So, check out the companies I named online and get their catalogs...that's just my two cents.

The very best of luck to you.

Nick
 
Thanks guys,
I wasn't planning on buying them right away, but was wondering what to look for and if what I'd found so far was any good. I already have a drill press,files, and I may put buffing wheels on my benchgrinder.I want to see how well the sander I have now works before I get something else. I hate the idea of buying a 6x48 when I already have a beltsander.I have a bandsaw too but its for wood and I don't want to change anything on it because I do alot of woodworking and carving.I guess I'll see how this one goes with the tools I have and then decide after that.

------------------
Fix it right the first time, use Baling Wire !
 
when i jump into folder making, i'm gonna buy a percision high speed drill press, vertical milling machine, already have a lathe, and probably some kind of jig for profiling. i'll get a big vertical mill, so that i can make machines too. i wouldn't make a knife on a bench grinder, tried it with the first knife i made. i'll never do that again, you have no control over it. l-6 i found a pic of the drill, but i can't paste it, how do i?

[This message has been edited by magnum .44 (edited 13 December 1999).]
 
Magnum-

I totally feel the same about bench grinders, I don't feel the same control.

But FYI-

Ernie Lyle profiles his blades with an eight inch Dayton bench grinder, and Mike Leach uses a big 12" 2 hp Baldor Bench grinder with custom wheels by Norton to hollow grind. He has a round bar mounted below the centerline of the wheels and evidently he rests the spine of the knife blade on the bar and pushes the edge into the wheel to make the bevels.

Interesting and different.

Nick
 
Matt,

I recently purchased the Grizzly machine. I find that it works very well after some minor adjustments. Probably the best 2X72 Grinder for the money ($335 including shipping).
 
nick, i guess it's like any machine, it takes alot of practice to get used to, but with them, it's even more. do any of you guys use percision drill presses. i read it's good to .0002" regular drill presses can't even compair, do you think that would be useful for percision folder making and machine making?
 
I think for now the sander I have will be enough. The belt speed is 2000 sfm and I don't need the workspace of a 6x48 yet. I know that a mill and a lathe are important tools for all the precision work that needs to be done, but as of now I'm doing this for fun along with my woodworking and carving so I don't plan on spending that kind of money on tools.My drill press is an old 17 inch craftsmen. It isn't the best but it works pretty good,you just have be extra careful marking it all out and drilling.I'm going to try a saber saw with a bi-metal blade to cut this one out then I can do the smaller cuts with my dremel and files.If that doesn't work I'll probably look into a bandsaw since it would be useful for any welding that needs done on the tractor and other equipment.Thanks.

------------------
Fix it right the first time, use Baling Wire !
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top