What tools do i need to start using the stock removal process?

MEJ

MEJ

Joined
Jul 24, 2011
Messages
1,283
Im planning on buying a grizzly grinder for around 500, but what do i need besides that?
 
lots of things you can add on, but at its most basic form you need a way to cut the metal (files / grinder / sand paper) & heat the metal... I think...

God Bless,
 
A drill, preferably a drill press

Some means of cutting wood. Blocks into scales, scales into the shape of the tang, etc. Preferably a bandsaw, but a coping saw will work for the tang shape and a hand saw COULD work for blocks into scales.

I need a screw driver to tighten the Corby bolts....would depend on what you plan to use for handle attachment.

A flat surface for flattening scales with sandpaper.

Lots and lots of sandpaper and sanding/grinding belts.

Epoxy

Wood or other handle material. Preferably stabilized if wood.

A vise of some kind to hold the blade while sanding the handle/blade.

Pin/bolt material

That's all I can think of.

Other things come in awful handy, but as I think about the process nothing else is necessary.
 
Safety Equipment:
Gloves that you can work in
Respirator that has replaceable filters
Bib apron would be helpful
Dust collection system

Tools:
Files
Needle files
Clamps
Vises
Broom

Intangibles:
Ideas
Time
Patience
A place to work

Supplies:
Sandpaper (large variety of grits and types)
Ferric Chloride (if you ever want to etch anything)
Books
Lights for the work area
 
Im trying to keep it as low as possible... seeing as this will only be a hobby, until i later decide differently. My funds will change as i get odd jobs, and such throughout the summer. Im just trying to understand if this is even feasible.
 
I get trying to stay within a budget, but please don't let the budget keep you from buying safety equipment. Just because you're not rolling in cash is no excuse for taking needless risks with your health and safety. We see too many threads of people doing common knifemaking things without safety equipment, and the results are often quite unpleasant. Don't be the next one to post such a thread because you weren't willing to spend a few bucks on gloves and a respirator.
 
Its all funny until someone gets an eye poked out. That should suffice for safety.
Whats needed for stock removal? Belts, and Steel,-Lots of both.
Ken
 
a good drill press. A drill press vise! Trust me. A couple clamps for the drill press. A good Bench vise. A few files, single cut, double cut, chain saw files...belts get expensive quick!
A cheap Harbor Freight Portaband saw. I bought a SWAG Offroad stand and love mine. http://swagoffroad.com/Portaband_V_TWO.html
To summarize. Belt Grinder, Drill Press, Metal Cutting Bandsaw, Vise, misc drill bits, knife steel, sandpaper, belts for the belt grinder, handle material and hardware.

You can keep it simple and skip a bandsaw, and buy a $20 angle grinder.

Safety equipment is a must. The third day I was learning to make knives I got a piece of steel on my eyeball....eyes, ears, lungs.

Come down to the OKCA knife show in Eugene Oregon this weekend!
There will be several Washington makers there. Make a friend and get a lesson to start. That'd be the best investment you could make!!!
 
Alright i will buy gloves, a mask, and a mask... i wish i could go, but oregon is a good ways away from where i live. Someone told me of a knifemaking class in seattle that i think im going to go to before i start buying anything though... pick up a couple tricks.

how much are drill presses because they look like there going to cost as much as the grinder? Is there a simple hand held one that i could get by on?
 
I got my drill press for less than $100 from harbor freight. I got my last drill press (delta) for only a little more than that. Pawn shops can also get you a good drill press for cheap, but you may have to shop around for a while.

- Chris
 
A bucket to put under your grinder

Some sort of sturdy flat surface to peen pins in handle materials. I use my anvil for this but the flat piece of a vise would work
 
EYE PROTECTION......................

Nothing mentioned is more important than this

NOTHING
 
MEJ said:
Alright i will buy gloves, a mask, and a mask... i wish i could go, but oregon is a good ways away from where i live. Someone told me of a knifemaking class in seattle that i think im going to go to before i start buying anything though... pick up a couple tricks.

how much are drill presses because they look like there going to cost as much as the grinder? Is there a simple hand held one that i could get by on?
Click to expand...

Respirators are not expensive and you can get them from knife suppliers for about $15. Buy some belts while you are there as well http://www.trugrit.com/safety-products.htm

As for gloves, I do not use gloves with my grinder or any power tool. Things like gloves can get caught into machinery and cause shop accidents. Also while grinding you will get much better feel of what is going on with your bare hands.
 
If you get the Grizzly Knife grinder, get some decent belts from some place like TrueGrit of a knife making supply place. The belts I got with my Grizzly didn't work very well and had a short life span.

The other thing you will want to do is to remove the graphite liner off the platen and replace it with a ceramic one. The graphite one is too soft. The glass platen makes a huge difference.

In addition to the safety equipment others have mentioned, I wear an old baseball cap when using the Grizzly in the upright position. This keeps me from sanding my forehead. Guess how I learned this one.

Did anyone mention steel for your blade?

Internet connection so that you can ask us questions when you get stumped or frustrated.

Ric
 
MEJ said:
Alright i will buy gloves, a mask, and a mask... i wish i could go, but oregon is a good ways away from where i live. Someone told me of a knifemaking class in seattle that i think im going to go to before i start buying anything though... pick up a couple tricks.

how much are drill presses because they look like there going to cost as much as the grinder? Is there a simple hand held one that i could get by on?
Click to expand...

Mine was $65 at a pawn shop. It is a Delta brand tabletop version. Make sure you test it out though, they had a couple out for sale that wouldn't even turn on. Also I got nearly all my main power tools off of Craigslist. The $10-15 trips to Lowe's here and there are what kills you.

This would be a sound investment too, drill press clamp, or a drill press vise.
 
To be clear, the gloves are for use when drilling, mainly... but I also use them when filing.
 
I agree 100% with the eye protection recommendations. Look for the "Z87+" (high impact) rating. Polycarbonate will do.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top