what will i choose-forge or mill

marekz

marekz

Joined
Jun 16, 2008
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i have about a grand i saved up for an addition to my shop. im still new to all this and far from perfecting many techniques--filing guards for instance as ell as different grinds-.but i still have a decision to make and after much research the sherline 5400 should do all i want as far as knife making--but the 2000 sherline has more option http://www.sherline.com/2000pg.htm so im not exactly sure which one.. limited budget. my other idea was to get a forge, hammer etc and a better drill press--but then i would need an anvil and i dont know what i could use to substitute for one. In a way i feel i should relly learn to the best of my abilities by hand and go for the forge. but then im looking for the future and a mill seems very vital and i can pick up a forge thats cheaper down the line. rant rant --any opinions--marekz:jerkit:
 
I got an idea Markez, The first thing I bought over a year ago was a anvil. You should be able to find a usable anvil for a reasonable price and make your forge yourself. It cost me around 60 dollars to make my forge. Now of course the 25 gallon tank was around 100.00, you can use a smaller tank.I was told some very useful information around 2 weeks ago by a well know knife maker here in Alabama, He told me " Be a maker of knives and not a collector of tools", I want a mill so bad its about to drive me crazy, but before I buy one I want to have the filing process down perfect. Anyways... The one tool I wouldnt trade for anything is my anvil and forge, Your not that far away, if your ever in my area let me know and I will show you my set-up, Good luck Charlie
 
I'm with C.Edmondson ,too.
Get a usable anvil for a couple hundred dollars, a $30-50 hammer or two ( 1Kg and 1.5Kg) ,three or four Tom Tongs for $15-25 each, and build a good controlled forge for $200-300 max. a 100# propane tank costs about $60 at HF or Lowe's, and about $20-40 to fill.

The controlled forge will give you reliable forging and great Heat Treatment. If you ever decide to give up knife making ( which usually is accompanied by an obituary) the controlled forge will sell easily. Build any forge a little bigger and beefier than you think you need. Go 2" wool, 10" shell, and 16-18" long, blown burner(s), bubble alumina or castable floor ( on the wool).

A mill is a tool for when you need it to do what you are already able to do....just more precisely. If you haven't mastered the process, a mill won't do it for you. I still don't have a mill.
Stacy
 
I think you need to examine your goals in knife making and make a decision based on that. If you've been doing stock removal, what has made you decide to go the forging route? What have you wanted or needed to do with a mill? How will a hammer and forge help you with your milling problem and how will a mill help you forge blades?
 
I found a guy on craigs list with a bunch of anvils.
I don't know if I can post the ad here, but email me and I will send you the post...
 
I haven't done a lot of forging yet, and what I have done is... well... let's just say I need to keep practicing. I too have toyed around the idea of buying a mill, but when I really think about it, most of what I would do with it initially is slot guards :confused: It's a PITA, but I can do it with hand tools, so it's hard to justify the cost of a mill (and all the tooling). I really enjoy making knives through the stock removal process, but in efforts to become a more well rounded maker, forging was the natural next step for me. The other biggie on my list was a HT oven, but I've decided to put that on hold and send out stainless and complex tool steels. At least I can HT 1084 at home now. Just my thoughts...
 
thanks fellas. My goals are #1. become more profecient with stock removal- as far as guards,filing,grinding, trying to get better at hiiden tang knives--.#2. move on to forging and follow the ABS outline to become an apprentice,journeyman and ultimately MS ( dreams).I guess i just have some money now and dont know when ill be able to save up again,so im trying to think way ahead. Youll are probably right- i need to feel confident about my hand skills before i go and get something like a mill. An anvil and forge would definetly be more on the path that i planned. thanks ill sit back and take inventory of my priorities. rpaladin you can send me a message with the website if you like--thanks-marekz
 
there this guy who offered me a trenton 140lb anvil for $400. he said its in good shape. isnt that a bit much to ask? marekz
 
if its really in good shape then that's a decent price, but not an awesome price.

figure $3.00 / LB minimum for a good anvil

they can be had for $1.00 / LB if your patient and willing to work around some stuff (chipped faces etc)
 
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