What should I buy to get started

S

slewis

Joined
Aug 11, 2008
Messages
6
Hi everyone,
I need some questions answered about what tools I should buy to get started.
I have access to a decent drillpress and some access to a couple of bench grinders. I can spend some money on tools, but not muchIs a bench grinder as good as the belt grinders that everyone here is using or would it just be wasted money. Is a bench grinder a bad choice for wood? Would the HF porta bandsaw be worth it? Will it cut 1/2" flat stock?My first project involves daggers using an atlanta cutlery blade with a round tang. I am making the cross and pommel out of fairly soft steel and the handle out of purpleheart with the possiblity of a steel spacer in the middle(like a waisted hilt on a sword). One last question. Does anyone know of any good knifemaking resources in the
Boston area? Well thanks for taking the time to read this. I hope everyone here has a great Holiday season.

P.S. I saw that HF has a little 1x30 belt grinder with disc attachment. Would it be a waste of money?

Steve
 
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First you should probably check out this link. As far as standard bench grinders verses knife making belt grinders there is quite a bit of difference. However, very good knives can be made with a hacksaw, some files, and some sandpaper. Some people use the smaller belt sanders and disk sanders to make some very nice knives.

Allen
 
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this is what I used. Not much, but enough.

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I actually just bought one of those little 1x30 inch 5 inch disk combo belt sanders from Harbor freight.

It won't ever be as good as a real 72x2 grinder, but it will definitely be faster than using my hand files.
 
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Thanks for the input guys. Those likes are great. I think I will get the HF 1X30 for the same reason you as you BigFatty. I really like the file work on the spine of the green handled knife.
 
im just starting out and bought a mastercraft 1in x30in belt/5in disc sander and ive just about finished 2 knifes in about a day one handle is finished but i ve run into pin issues so when i find pins i can finish. but the snader is great and i also bought a lazer drill press ive another grinder and i will put a buffing wheel on one side. kellyw
 
If you like the 1" there's a delta 1x42 that comes well recommended. Another good starter is the Craftsman 2x42 from sears. I'm up to #17 with just files and sandpaper with a craftsman on the way.
 
I almost never use my belt grinder, believe it or not, because I enjoy making my blades with hand tools. I've been on a serious hand tool kick lately and don't even use my drill press. Instead, I use an antique hand drill that I place in the middle of my chest for pressure.

The only modern tool I use is the propane in my forge and sandpaper which is pretty advanced when compared to the tools available to 19th century bladesmiths. Someday I'll run across an old stone wheel that I can use to grind off scale before finer grits.

You don't need much. Just an imagination and willingness to adapt to a limited supply of tools. Some bladesmiths have hightech ovens/forges, milling machines, and etc. But many a knife maker can craft very artistic and functional knives with simple tools.

If you are going to buy anything beyond what is in the picture of basic handtools, I suggest getting a Bernzomatic JTH-7 torch at Lowes ($29) and a few soft firebricks for the heat treat process. These will allow you to make a small forge that can work for heat treat, albeit crude, and forging of small blades in the future.

Get a copy of Wayne Goddard's book, The $50 Knife Shop. Or you can look at it here in a list of online books that I compiled a while back. http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=603203

Good Luck
BJ
 
bjalongi said:
I almost never use my belt grinder, believe it or not, because I enjoy making my blades with hand tools. I've been on a serious hand tool kick lately and don't even use my drill press. Instead, I use an antique hand drill that I place in the middle of my chest for pressure.

The only modern tool I use is the propane in my forge and sandpaper which is pretty advanced when compared to the tools available to 19th century bladesmiths. Someday I'll run across an old stone wheel that I can use to grind off scale before finer grits.

You don't need much. Just an imagination and willingness to adapt to a limited supply of tools. Some bladesmiths have hightech ovens/forges, milling machines, and etc. But many a knife maker can craft very artistic and functional knives with simple tools.

If you are going to buy anything beyond what is in the picture of basic handtools, I suggest getting a Bernzomatic JTH-7 torch at Lowes ($29) and a few soft firebricks for the heat treat process. These will allow you to make a small forge that can work for heat treat, albeit crude, and forging of small blades in the future.

Get a copy of Wayne Goddard's book, The $50 Knife Shop. Or you can look at it here in a list of online books that I compiled a while back. http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=603203

Good Luck
BJ
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i think that a artist is sometime a artist because of the tools he uses. the romans didn't let not having the best tools stop them from building the colossum, it only let them take pride in and cherish their hard work more. When i work on a knife, i develop a cretin relation ship with that knife. it goes every where with me. And in that time when i work on it, it gives me time to think about what it wants to be if i had 100,000 dollar shop, i could go from begin to end in 10 or 12 hours and never gain any incite to what im doing or have any room for growth. If you slow down a bit your work will be more of what you want it to be.
 
The Romans had the most versatile tools of all - slaves. For what it's worth, the portable bandsaw in the original question will work fine for the project, as long as the steel is not hardened ;)

I don't believe that tools hinder an artist, but I do understand that working without them may empower some. If my knifemaking was any slower, I'd hardly get any practice ;) To each his own.
 
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