What the?!

L

Lazarus Long

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Jun 17, 2005
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I've contacted at least 4 different waterjet/laser cutting facilities about cutting a blade blank and all of them have said something to the effect of "this is not the type of item me care to manufacture". What in the hell? Is there some unwritten law that prevents them from cutting blade blanks? I would go with admiral steel, but they said it would be like $350 to cut 3 blanks from one bar of 1/4 in 1095 and that is a little more than I'm willing to pay for a first knife. Does anyone know of any places that would be willing to cut a blank (laser or water) for a reasonable amount? The design is not even big or complicated (2.22 inches wide and 10.87 inches long). Please help me out. Thanks.
 
Admiral Steel will laser cut all the blades ya want and at a reasonable price. Jut make sure you make the pattern you send them about 1/16" oversize to allow for removing the burnt steel the laser leaves.
 
If you only want three blanks why dont you just cut them out with a bandsaw or by hand?
Maybe the other places didnt want to do it because it's such a small order.
Just my 2 cents
Mace
 
I should start with the honest answer of "I don't know". Beyond that, it is my undestanding that laser cutting etc is only cost effective for large numbers of knives. The setup is what takes most of the work. I don't think the process is prcatical for three blades. I'd be interested to hear from others who may have experience with laser blanking.
 
For three blades it might be simpler to find a local machine shop with a CAD plasma cutter.They would probably do it for $10-15 per blade.Leave extra to grind the slag off.
Why not cut them out on the band saw? A HF band saw and a Lenox blade would only cost half of the $350 you stated,and you would still own them when you are done with theese three.
 
Hi, What Harbor Frieght bandsaw is this? Is it advertised as a metal cutting bandsaw?
That made me laugh the guy said I would go to Admiral steel, but...and then the next guy said Admiral steel will.. LOL too rich! :D
 
Milwaukee Tools has a nice new 28V cordless bandsaw. Take it anywhere !!
 
I got the harbor freight bandsaw; it was about $169 if I remember. Only had it for a few months but it works pretty good. I'm still using the crappy blade that came with it too. I've cut lots of blades (rough cut, it doesn't do tight corners) and several pieces of 1/4" steel just recently. Shipping was only $8 because they have a store not far from here. Ironically they didn't sell the thing at the store, I would have had to order it, so I ordrered it from the website and saved money. It cost less than the local price, and it was DELIVERED!

As far as the laser cut stuff, my father had some custom tool parts cut a few years ago. He had to come up with $10,000 just for a couple hundred items. It wasn't a good investment. It would have been cost effective in another three or four runs, but he didn't sell that many tools. Not even close. If he could have done ten thousand items, the price per item would have dropped dramatically.
-Jeramy
 
A bandsaw will cut 1/4 1095 and 5160 just take your time and try and have something else to do. When I cut out my big chopper from 1/4 5160 I cut a little took a break and then did somethig else for a while then went back to cutting again.

Abe
 
If you are interested I'll forge you 3 blades and you can finish them. What profiles are you looking for?

Larry
 
I worked for a company here in Phoenix as a shop supervisor. We had 2 lasers, and we cut blades, liners, even the bolsters for some of the most popular Custom makers that sell knives. You are right it is the set-up that costs, but those costs depend alot on what you provide for a drawing. If the customer provided a .DWG, or a .DXF file, it wouldn't cost much on programing. They charge hourly for programing and with the mentioned files, would be maybe half hour. Lot of variables but on average. The run time on the laser isusually costed by inch and speed the machine can cut the particular part or material. So once the program exists with them and the customers sometimes provided there own material, all they get charged on reorders is laser time.For example: There at least, 1/4 inch blade S/S, 4 inch long cuts in about 30 secounds. Thats only maybe $3.00 per. Most company's charge a minimum charge but not all.
The company is still around. I had to stop working as I got injured and disabled there working. Oddly enough I was operating the laser when it occured! Just my 2 cents worth. Didn't mean to ramble on!
 
you could always pick up a small angle grinder for short money...it will work great for roughing out a blade blank in no time... then just clean it up on your grinder...like the others have mentioned,save a few bucks and look into the harbor freight saw...
inexpensive,and with a little care should last you quite awhile
hope this helps some :)
 
Try contacting Michael Kanter (adammichael). He was just talking about having access to a couple 3500 watt lasers at work in his post about the press he's building. He did mention that if anyone had any laser projects he might be able to help.
 
Nowicki said:
If you are interested I'll forge you 3 blades and you can finish them. What profiles are you looking for?

Larry
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I'm interested in a tracker style knife, I have a life size picture which would make a good outline when printed out. I'll shoot you an e-mail with the picture. Thanks.
 
L6steel said:
Admiral Steel will laser cut all the blades ya want and at a reasonable price. Jut make sure you make the pattern you send them about 1/16" oversize to allow for removing the burnt steel the laser leaves.
Click to expand...
I have it on good advise that Admiral Steel subcontracts it out now,
their unit bit the dust I guess.... :(
 
I cut my tracker out of 1/4" O1 in about an hour and a half. My time is cheap! The worst part of that knife is finishing all that flat space... :D
 
ddavelarsen said:
I cut my tracker out of 1/4" O1 in about an hour and a half. My time is cheap! The worst part of that knife is finishing all that flat space... :D
Click to expand...
That was well put, Dave!
 
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