Where to spend the cash first?

D

dmelton

Joined
Jan 2, 2001
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164
Getting my shop back in shape for knifemaking and I want to add a few tools. Given a budget of about 1200$ for improving my shop, would you all recommend a nicer grinder or a desktop mill/drill? I have a cheap drill press and a home made 2x72 grinder that does an adequate job. Which do you think is more useful, a better grinder, or a better drill press?
 
That would depend on what you have now. A KMG doesn't grind any better than my modified GIB, despite the huge price difference. I'm always a fan of a good drill press, I have 4 for different tasks. My micro drill press is rarely used, but invaluable when it is used. Do you forge a lot, have a decent welder? Are you strictly stock removal, how about a nice respirator? A big infusion of nice steels, belts, handle materials?
 
what kind of knives are you gonna make?
 
I have a propane forge, a good Peter Wright anvil, several good vices, good files, sandpaper, etc. I typically have made one-off knives, nothing standard, every one is different. I do forging as well as stock removal. I have a home-built 2x72 grinder, it's nowhere near a KMG or a Polar bear forge-style GIB. It does the job, but has several drawbacks. My drill press is a harbor freight special and I would like to be able to drill more precisely and efficiently. I'm kind of settled between a better grinder or a desktop mill/drill. Just kinda wondering what would be the more useful tool over what I have now.
 
Is your homemade grinder variable speed?
If not, that would be a great upgrade.
 
Things that are upgrades for the shop:

HT oven
A good wire welder (Flux core or MIG). TIG if you expect to do damascus in the future.
A disc sander
A better drill press
New arms and accessory wheels and platens for your existing grinder.
A new grinder
1.5HP to 2HP motor, and a matching VFD
 
what is you honest assessment of your proficiency level for knife-making?
Everyone learns differently, but maybe your purchase should not be for more equipment but instead knowledge?
Taking a class or working with a mentor can save alot of learning time

but I think a solid tracking variable speed grinder is a must for efficiency
 
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If you are considering a drill press and/or mill upgrade I recommend watching craigslist and buying a used one. Most drill presses see very little if any use and sell for a fraction of the cost of a new quality drill press. Look for a quality older drill press like a Rockwell, Craftsman (think 60's or older), Jet, etc.... One other area to watch is your local auction listings. I just looked at one this morning that will have a bridgeport mill, multiple drill presses, tools, vises, etc... and some of those items will go for pennies on the dollar of their true market value. This is a great way to maximize your available funds and increase your available tooling. The one item you will most likely not see at an auction though is going to be a 2x72 grinder so you might want to focus your funds in this area first.
 
dmelton said:
Getting my shop back in shape for knifemaking and I want to add a few tools. Given a budget of about 1200$ for improving my shop, would you all recommend a nicer grinder or a desktop mill/drill? I have a cheap drill press and a home made 2x72 grinder that does an adequate job. Which do you think is more useful, a better grinder, or a better drill press?
Click to expand...



Why not get both I hear good things about Coote grinder my buddy has one and he loves it they only run around 500+ But you'll need a motor and get bench craftsman drill press both are good quality and are in your price range win win
 
Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith said:
Things that are upgrades for the shop:

A good wire welder (Flux core or MIG). TIG if you expect to do damascus in the future.
Click to expand...

Why do you recommend a TIG welder for damascus? In the damascus class I took we used a MIG welder to tack the billets together, and I recently purchased a cheap flux core from HF so I could do that at home. The flux core seems adequate for tacking damascus billets together. What advantage would a TIG welder have?
 
Because you said your grinder and drill press work ok but not great I would recommend that you buy a disc sander and table preferably with a VFD and a reverse switch and a table if you can afford it. Second, I would buy a VFD for your grinder and then more grinder attachments like small wheels and holder. Also since you forge a heat treat oven would be great. Just my opinion. Larry
 
geekxx said:
Why do you recommend a TIG welder for damascus? In the damascus class I took we used a MIG welder to tack the billets together, and I recently purchased a cheap flux core from HF so I could do that at home. The flux core seems adequate for tacking damascus billets together. What advantage would a TIG welder have?
Click to expand...

From what I have been told by several damascus makers, TIGing the entire billet up to make a fluxless weld is the only good way on some exotic billets like crushed W's. It is also required if doing stainless san-mai.
 
That's a tough call. I started out with a NWGS, and then my next big purchase (years later) was a knee mill, which is becoming one of the most used/useful tools in my shop. That said, the mill alone was a little more than the budget you listed, and I've spent at least as much on tooling and still don't have very much of anything.

Now, obviously a bench/desktop mill would be a little cheaper, but even still, that wouldn't leave you a whole lot of funds for tooling. You might find something used with some decent amenities, but you'll probably be shopping for a little while.

You could definitely upgrade to a variable speed package and I think you'd be happier for it. You might even get close to a GIB with variable package for that kind of money.

At the end of the day, any upgrade is probably going to be money well spent. Good luck!
 
If you've got a 3 step pulley, my FIRST upgrade would be a VFD drive. I had a 3 step pulley setup and was quite happy with grinder..... decided I'd "try" the VFD to see if it actually was better. I sold my old 3 step for price of building new grinder with VFD, and WOW!!! what a difference! No comparison between 3 step and VFD drives. If you have to buy a 1 ph motor new, and buy the shafts and good pulleys for making the 3 step pulley setup, you can buy a 3 ph motor and Chinese VFD for about same price - Try it, you'll NEVER go back to step pulleys.

Ken
 
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