Which ONE piece of equipment can you not do without?

Brian_T

Brian_T

Gold Member
Joined
Oct 7, 1999
Messages
1,755
If you could have just ONE piece of machinery to make knives, what would it be?

OR

Which single piece of machinery gets the most use in your shop?

Thanks in advance,

Brian_T
brianthornburg@home.com
 
A 2 x 72 belt grinder from one of the big name makers, Bader, Burr King, etc. With a VARIABLE speed motor and shipping it will run you close to two grand. but will replace lots of other lesser power tools. No, I don't have one. want one. can't afford it.
 
I would have to agree with Fox Creek.Variable-speed Bur-King with 8 & 10 inch wheel and small wheel atachment.It's amazing how many add-ons you can find to buy after
you tell the wife this will be the last piece
of equipment I'll buy.
 
Well, IMHO, the most critical piece of equipment in a shop is also one of the cheapest, a drill press. You can profile with a hacksaw and a file, you can set bevels with a sen and a file, you can shape wood with a coping saw. But it's very difficult to drill holes straight without a drill press.

You can grind the most beautiful blades in the world and if you don't drill holes straight and perpendicular to it, it will look bad when you put the handle and guards on.

At 50 bucks for a little tabletop version, there's no reason to try and fight with a handheld drill either.

James


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Those who are willing to trade freedom for security deserve neither, and in the end, seldom retain them!
 
I need TWO pieces of equipment for my shop. I would like to get into making folders in the future. I need a variable speed Bridgeport with digital readout and power feed. As a machinist, without this machine, I'm lost! Yes, a smaller mill will work for knives but I would also use it to make other equipment and fixtures.
My second "must have" is a surface grinder.
I have access to both machines at my full time job but would realy like to be able to do everything "in house".
I have looked at several used machines but no luck yet
mad.gif

Neil

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Talonite! Pictures are now up on my website!!
http://www.geocities.com/Eureka/Meeting/5520/index.html
 
GOOD SAFETY GLASSES!!!!!
I've lost one eye due to a flying screwdriver.Folks,there is no resupply avalible on this item.
Take care of the ONE set you get.
 
A belt grinder is the most used tool I have that I could not do without. In a very close second is my drill press.

C Wilkins
 

i dont know if you would count this as a peice of machinery but if you have air, a 1/4 " dotco die grinder is a very versatile tool. you can use it to cut out your blank, grind your bevel if you dont mind flat ground blades and it works great for polishing too!

 

I would have to agree with both T.J. and Rex, besides, I don't have a 2X72 grinder to miss
smile.gif


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KSwinamer
 
I have to go with T.J. I'd be lost with out my drill press. I even rig up a mini lathe with mine for turning handle materials and pommels. I even used it for buffing before I had a buffer.




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Jake Evans,War Chief of the Terrible Ironic HORDE, Wielder of the Mighty Blade SOUL STEALER
 
Hey guys you forgot your vise! You gonna hold that blade between your knees while you work on it? After that , a drill press. I wish mine had a tighter spindle, if it did I'd go buy a milling table for it since I can't afford a real mnilling machine. But it has sleeve bearings and would chatter so bad I can probably get more accurate cuts with a file.

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Fix it right the first time, use Baling Wire !
 
i'd have to say my favorite tool is my 14" bandsaw, infact i like bandsaws so much i'm saving my quarters to buy another one, the 18" jet bandsaw. one for resawing (the jet with a 1 1/2" blade) and the rigid 14" for cutting handles out of scales. other than that my 1"x30" belt sander. i like all my tools though. and if you think about it, once you buy a good tool, you'll never want to do without it.
 
The brain God gave me!!

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"Always think of your fellow knife makers as partners in the search for the perfect blade, not as people trying to compete with you and your work!"
 
Without a doubt, my bridgeport!- or should I say my employer's bridgeport
smile.gif
.

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"Boy, if ya don't screw up once in a while, ya ain't learnin' nuthin'" - An old cowboy
 

Actually Matt, when I first started I didn't have a vise, I used mostly c-clamps, boy I had some weird ways to clamp a blade back then
smile.gif


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KSwinamer
 
A forgiving and understanding spouse. All the tools in the world won't help if you are not supported at home. I mean somebody has to be available to drive us to the ER for stitches eh?
 

Glenn, Amen to that my friend(smacking myself in the back of the head for forgeting
smile.gif
)

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KSwinamer
 
First off nice gun Tom, but do you really use that to make knives ? Or are the rats in your shop really that big
biggrin.gif


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Fix it right the first time, use Baling Wire !
 
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