Why didn't you guys tell me?!

Not meaning to be insulting... but I have noticed that knifemakers, as a general rule, are always looking for CHEAP ways to do things faster. This thread is a prime example. We all know that the knifemakers grinder is the way to go... but an angle grinder is SO much cheaper that a large number of new makers will gravitate toward it. People who haven't had a bad experience with a tool will be disinclined to heed warnings about the tool, especially if they can't (or won't) afford the better/safer tool.

We should probably avoid thinking of this as being belligerent or "stupid". Let's say instead that this is evidence of inexperience. We are ALL inexperienced to some level. Some of us more than others. ;)
 
This thread is the sole reason I ordered a Dewalt DWM120 and a Swag Off Road table. Thanks for the heads up everyone. Also, I have a few pair of Carhartts that have a nice slice through them right close to where the femoral artery would be. All due to the kick back from the angle grinder. I've never had a disc explode, but that kickback will sure pucker you up.

Needless to say I no longer use it unless absolutely necessary/
 
All I use my angle grinder for anymore is reducing handle material down to shaping size with a flap disk.
 
tryppyr said:
Not meaning to be insulting... but I have noticed that knifemakers, as a general rule, are always looking for CHEAP ways to do things faster. This thread is a prime example. We all know that the knifemakers grinder is the way to go... but an angle grinder is SO much cheaper that a large number of new makers will gravitate toward it. People who haven't had a bad experience with a tool will be disinclined to heed warnings about the tool, especially if they can't (or won't) afford the better/safer tool.

We should probably avoid thinking of this as being belligerent or "stupid". Let's say instead that this is evidence of inexperience. We are ALL inexperienced to some level. Some of us more than others. ;)
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I would like to respectfully say that the reason that we do this much of the time is that we don't want to invest a tremendous amount of money into a hobby we aren't sure is going to be something we are interested. Knifemaking isn't for everyone, and so it is perfectly valid that people would want to take it slow instead of just diving in.

Some people may have the money to throw at 3000 dollars in tools as soon as they start a new hobby, but most people don't.
 
thegeek574 said:
I would like to respectfully say that the reason that we do this much of the time is that we don't want to invest a tremendous amount of money into a hobby we aren't sure is going to be something we are interested. Knifemaking isn't for everyone, and so it is perfectly valid that people would want to take it slow instead of just diving in.

Some people may have the money to throw at 3000 dollars in tools as soon as they start a new hobby, but most people don't.
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Most people can't afford to lose an eye, either.
 
thegeek574 said:
I would like to respectfully say that the reason that we do this much of the time is that we don't want to invest a tremendous amount of money into a hobby we aren't sure is going to be something we are interested. Knifemaking isn't for everyone, and so it is perfectly valid that people would want to take it slow instead of just diving in.

Some people may have the money to throw at 3000 dollars in tools as soon as they start a new hobby, but most people don't.
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I'm with you totally. Look how long it took me to build a grinder.
 
I managed to hack out blanks with nothing but a vise, Sawzall, power drill, and belt-sander (most of which came from yard-sales). I even had a 4.5" grinder to begin with. I think that equipment was in the neighbohood of $60. The only time I used the grinder on knife-shaped objects I've tinkered with was at work, with stickwelding gloves, leather cape/apron, and a grinding shield on. Even then it wasn't for cutting, just light shaping. I'm no expert, not even a novice, but it seems to me like the average Joe/Joan can pick up all of the tools he/she needs second-hand for the cost of a decent grinder and be able to do more with them.
 
I'm not here to argue. I'm just saying that an cheap, effective way of moving a lot of metal quickly is attractive to a lot of people. Is it safe? Most of the time. If it wasn't it wouldn't be available on the open market. Does it hurt people sometimes? Yes. If that is a risk you want to take, go for it. I used one for a while, had a couple of discs break on me, even got tagged once. I still use it if it does the job better than any other options. However, this is just me. Everyone has to make the decision for themselves.
 
Question I never had answered though, why is it a bad idea to cut with a grinding disk? Several people have said it but no one said why? I've been cutting with a grinding disk a lot because it lasts a whole lot longer and doesn't fly to pieces. It takes longer as you whittle away matterial but I've never had a disk so much as get damaged other than wear... meanwhile my cutoff wheels chip, break, wear down fast etc...
 
First off--- I should say I do not cut blades out with an angle grinder... I either forge them to shape, or use a bandsaw/beltgrinder to do that. But since this thread has grown to discussing angle grinders in general, I figured I'd throw my 2 cents in... ;) :)



An angle grinder is a tool. It will do many tasks faster and easier than other tools would do the same job--- example? I can grind a pressed, ladder pattern billet down in 10 minutes with a 9" angle grinder and a cupped snagging wheel, where it would take a half hour or more with the belt grinder or face mill (including set-up).

As a tool, an angle grinder should not be feared, but IT MUST BE RESPECTED.

The key has been emphasized in this thread many times---- the person using the tool HAS to understand how it works and respect it.

I grew up with a Dad that does just about anything that's "hands on." He taught me the need to respect tools, and HAMMERED it into my head over and over again. He has a full wood-working shop, and I cannot tell you how many times I heard, "A saw was made to cut. It will cut wood, but it will also cut YOU. It doesn't care what color you are, how old you are, if you are smart or dumb, rested or tired. If you put a part of your body against it, it WILL CUT YOU."

But there are some tools that seem like they WANT to bite you... a chainsaw, and an angle grinder are the two that I think of first.

If a person is careful, is taught how to properly use them, and respects these two tools, they will do some amazing things. But if you don't understand how to use them, or get careless, or tired/distracted, they WILL bite you. And they will bite you BAD. Because both of them are very prone to kickback... there's a really good chance they will bite you right across your face.

So IMHO, if you don't know how to properly use an angle grinder and understand how it works...or even if you do, but you tend to be careless... then YOU SHOULD NOT use one.

And I think you're asking for trouble if you use any kind of cut off wheel/disc from Harbor Freight. When you pay a little more for quality discs like the ones Norton makes, you are not just paying for a long lasting, better cutting disc, you are also paying for one that is much less likely to blow apart.

I have several angle grinders and use them frequently, but EVERY time I grab one and pull the trigger, I remind myself that they would just as soon cut my guts out or slice my face wide open, as they would grind/cut the steel I'm working on. :eek:
 
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I don't know what brand of cutting disc are being used that explode or come apart while in use; I must be really really lucky for I have never in my life had a disc come apart while in operation. I use Metabo or other quality disc; I buy parts brushes at Harbor Freight and nothing else.

Fred
 
Fred.Rowe said:
I don't know what brand of cutting disc are being used that explode or come apart while in use; I must be really really lucky for I have never in my life had a disc come apart while in operation. I use Metabo or other quality disc; I buy parts brushes at Harbor Freight and nothing else.

Fred
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I have never had a cut off wheel blow up either.
Everything is dangerous in a knife shop, and every tool should be treated with the utmost respect.
 
oic0 said:
Question I never had answered though, why is it a bad idea to cut with a grinding disk? Several people have said it but no one said why? I've been cutting with a grinding disk a lot because it lasts a whole lot longer and doesn't fly to pieces. It takes longer as you whittle away matterial but I've never had a disk so much as get damaged other than wear... meanwhile my cutoff wheels chip, break, wear down fast etc...
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I'm a welder and use grinders all the time obviously, and I highly recommend buying good quality cut off wheels. You will be amazed how long they last and how they don't break apart as soon as you touch some steel. I could not believe how crappy some cut off/ grinding wheels could be, especially the ones from Napa or Carquest! You can use a grinding wheel to cut but it takes FOREVER, at least on longer cuts. But again good cut off wheels are worth it and some of the good ones are from Walter, Praxair, Redline, and 3M just to name a few.
 
Does anyone know of a good specific model of a belt sander for shaping blades? Also, where can I get decent knife steel? I wanna start making some custom knives. :)
 
Since "kickback" and "exploding wheels" seem to be the main concerns of angle grinder safety, I made a mental note of all the power tools that I could think of that pose the same dangers of kickback, and exploding or throwing work or parts.

-table saws, chop saws, chainsaws, skil saws, saws-alls, jig saws, routers, dremels, planers, jointers, lathes (metal/wood), benchtop grinders, buffer (hand and bench), drills, drill presses, mills/cnc, power hammers, welders, jack-hammers, belt sander, belt grinders...pretty much any power-tool that cuts, grinds, sands or hammers...etc...
 
Sure, there are lots of dangerous tools out there injure/maim which is why you should use the right one for the job.
 
Dave Behrens said:
Since "kickback" and "exploding wheels" seem to be the main concerns of angle grinder safety, I made a mental note of all the power tools that I could think of that pose the same dangers of kickback, and exploding or throwing work or parts.

-table saws, chop saws, chainsaws, skil saws, saws-alls, jig saws, routers, dremels, planers, jointers, lathes (metal/wood), benchtop grinders, buffer (hand and bench), drills, drill presses, mills/cnc, power hammers, welders, jack-hammers, belt sander, belt grinders...pretty much any power-tool that cuts, grinds, sands or hammers...etc...
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Seems like everyone is saying that the angle grinder will kick harder and explode faster than the rest of that stuff though, which does make sense. Most of those tools would kick the object being cut/ground, which I would guess isn't really dangerous unless you're buffing a finished knife. I can definitely see how a blade spinning at 13000rpm is a lot worse to have kicked back at you.


So guys, under the following circumstances, do you still think the angle grinder is a stupid tool choice?

1. full-face shield w/ respirator
2. Thick apron/clothing
3. The guard on the grinder is rotated just a bit so that if it kicks at me, the guard is the only thing that can hit me and any shrapnel should get shot away from me.
4. I'm being cautious. Not using it while tired, not letting myself get distracted, keeping firm control of the tool, firmly clamping down whatever I'm cutting, etc.

Obviously the worst case scenario could still happen, but I have a feeling that's true of anyone and any tool.
 
Grease said:
Seems like everyone is saying that the angle grinder will kick harder and explode faster than the rest of that stuff though, which does make sense. Most of those tools would kick the object being cut/ground, which I would guess isn't really dangerous unless you're buffing a finished knife. I can definitely see how a blade spinning at 13000rpm is a lot worse to have kicked back at you.


So guys, under the following circumstances, do you still think the angle grinder is a stupid tool choice?

1. full-face shield w/ respirator
2. Thick apron/clothing
3. The guard on the grinder is rotated just a bit so that if it kicks at me, the guard is the only thing that can hit me and any shrapnel should get shot away from me.
4. I'm being cautious. Not using it while tired, not letting myself get distracted, keeping firm control of the tool, firmly clamping down whatever I'm cutting, etc.

Obviously the worst case scenario could still happen, but I have a feeling that's true of anyone and any tool.
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Sounds like you've got the right idea, add leather gloves to your list.
 
Thankfully I never knew about using angle grinders to cut out knife blades for the first 20 years
of knifemaking. I have 4"&9"" both and they get pretty much zero use on knives. A friend once wound up a chainsaw head on one between his neck and arm. Power, Speed, and over center are a very bad combo.
Ken.
 
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