What's happening in the David Mary Custom shop?

[David Mary]

I'm sorry David, that was supposed to go in your photo thread...

No worries boss, I'll make a copy

 

[David Mary]

Now to decide on handle materials for these 8670 knives I've ground today. The top one is super thin edged but from stout .225" thick stock. The filets are 5/16", and will also be very thin behind the edge.

 

[Wild Willie]

David, after much consideration and many musings on my part, I've decided that that stubby fella on top almost reminds me of a bumble bee...

 

[David Mary]

I got sidetracked from making handles, so maybe it's not too late for me to stick some black and yellow G10 on that one.

 

[CDHumiston]

David, after much consideration and many musings on my part, I've decided that that stubby fella on top almost reminds me of a bumble bee...

Looks kind of like a Toucan to me...

 

[David Mary]

How about a compromise? Bumblebee Sam?

 

[David Mary]

Once again I beat the snowblower. A different neighbour this time, with an even smaller driveway. #Snowshovelforlife.

 

[David Mary]

Bumblebee Sam is definitely happening.

 

[Wild Willie]

Bumblebee Sam is definitely happening.

Can't wait to see how it comes out

 

[David Mary]

Monkey wrench in the plans. My belt grinder just died. I have ordered another, and now have to find a few things to sell in the meantime.

 

[Wild Willie]

Yikes, unfortunately an oft used piece of equipment like that isn't going to last forever... I feel your pain my friend.

 

[David Mary]

It's been a long time coming, I think. It's out in all temperatures, and over the last month, I noticed it sometimes wouldn't start, and I had to re-flick the switch. It's possible I might get it running again, but not taking the chance. I have put off getting a backup for too long anyway.

 

[David Mary]

Alright now that I have a few sales posts out there, let's see if I can finish Bumblebee Sam with my other tools.

 

[David Mary]

Andy came by to pick up the 15N20 blades, and evidently knows more about machines and electrical than I do. We took the bottom plate off, I vacuumed the dust out, we took the connections off the switch, reconnected them and it's working again. Let's see how long it will last. I still have the other one on the way just in case, but Andy advised me if it dies again maybe just buy a new switch and see if that takes care of it. And at least for now I can keep working.

 

[David Mary]

Before that I started on Bumblebee Sam's handle with other tools, and wow it showed me just how much I take the belt grinder for granted.

 

[Murphjd25]

Metal dust is terrible for a motor, hopefully it just needed cleaned. If it’s a large motor I was going to suggest to check the capacitor too.

 

[David Mary]

By the way, this was the shop this morning, before I shoveled the driveway.



Here is a pic I took after vacuuming out the dust from inside the grinder, so I would remember what goes where:




Before I dremel a handle, I contour the edges on the belt grinder, and then I like to put a scallop at the pinky. Here is how the process was looking when I thought I didn't have the grinder, and tried to use the dremel instead.



By the way it took me a good couple minutes to get that far. Here is the other side, after about three seconds of contact with the wheel on my grinder, after we got it working again:




And here's how Sam is looking now that I got through both the belt grinder portion and the dremel portion of the handle shaping.

 

[David Mary]

Bumblebee Sam is sold! I have three filet knives to handle, and two of them are already curing. One is OD Suretouch, one is burlap with double canvas Micarta liners and black canvas pins, and the third..... I have been instructed to make it red G10

 

[FCM922]

Dielectric grease will help on those connections for protection and contact.

Thank you for hanging in there and grinding it out for us.

 

[David Mary]

And thank you for dropping by with your words of encouragement!