The grinding and the heat treat don't scare me. It's making the folding lock. One day maybe, but not now.
Agreed. I intend to make a wood version with all the pieces in place, then alter it to suit my tastes. But, I found something that was about 50% of what I wanted.
I also remember a fella who started out being unsure of whether or not his wood carvings were really good enough to make a business out of. We just yelled "Take My Money!" at him until he realized that we saw something he didn't....
I'm a dumass. There's a certain continuity to the community here that makes me forget some details.
Grinding a blade isn't that difficult, but what most people overlook is that steel is really hard, and you should have a discernible masochistic streak before you try it. People also overestimate the capability of their tools: if you are going to do more than one blade, you should have one to three horsepower behind your grinder.
I fully expect it to be a pain in the ass to grind. Should be an interesting experiment. I'll be using the grinders at work. They have big pedestal grinders with some sort of belt attachment thing. Not sure what its called. I just have to pick up my own belts. Which would be good to use?
Belt grinders. The best ones are made by Bader and Burr-King.
Start with 60 grit. Then 80 grit. Then 150, 120, 220, 300, 400. From here, you can go on through 600 and into polishing compounds, but 400 is a good finish.
Expect to use between three and seven belts of each grit (!), depending on the steel, and how much material you need to remove to get it to look like you want.
Bob Loveless and Richard Barney wrote a book on making fixed blades some time ago. Lots of good information about stock-removal knifemaking in there.
Yeah, rough estimate. The coarser grits get used up faster, because you're removing more material with them. Down past 220, it slows down a lot, and if you pop for expensive belts, you may get 1-2 blades out of the finer grit belts.
My recommendation to people is always to look for someone who has a waterjet: cleanest, nicest cut you've ever seen, gets you right down and ready to grind your bevels. Try to find one who works with knifemakers, because of the tolerances and clearances you need to maintain.
Just to be clear: is this going to be a folder, or a fixed blade? Because I'm down with either, but folding knives are a lot more work.
I am editing this post, because the original text did not show Max the respect he deserves. I may know him, but I do not know him that well.
Sorry, Max.
Making one folder is hard enough; making a quantity of them, and making them similar, is a task that I would be reluctant to take on. The fact that he is doing it because he wants to is saying a lot.
Last Edit: Jul 4, 2013 15:11:38 GMT -8 by Shorttime
That Smurfing Forum is no bueno and HI SPONGBOB. - Kilroy Psychosis is refreshing like a cool glass o' lemonade. - T. YOU HAVE MY AXE, WILLARD DIGGERD OF WESTEROS, FIRST SON OF THE FROG KING - Q Where is the satisfaction in watching other people accomplish things? - Short Make woopy, make waffles make like the wind. - Roy
Post by willydigger. FB inFamous on Aug 10, 2013 8:28:53 GMT -8
I asked Alan to shoot some build pics. I don't really know what all is involved, but thought it couldn't hurt to ask. Here is what he sent me this morning! Freaking out!
Look at that old bastard. What cool stories he must have. Soon to have a lot more.
Giggity giggity.
Loving the new pivot screw.
That Smurfing Forum is no bueno and HI SPONGBOB. - Kilroy Psychosis is refreshing like a cool glass o' lemonade. - T. YOU HAVE MY AXE, WILLARD DIGGERD OF WESTEROS, FIRST SON OF THE FROG KING - Q Where is the satisfaction in watching other people accomplish things? - Short Make woopy, make waffles make like the wind. - Roy
Post by willydigger. FB inFamous on Aug 10, 2013 9:54:47 GMT -8
Here's a quick pic of a basic folder anatomy.
That Smurfing Forum is no bueno and HI SPONGBOB. - Kilroy Psychosis is refreshing like a cool glass o' lemonade. - T. YOU HAVE MY AXE, WILLARD DIGGERD OF WESTEROS, FIRST SON OF THE FROG KING - Q Where is the satisfaction in watching other people accomplish things? - Short Make woopy, make waffles make like the wind. - Roy
Holy shit. Willy, if you start making us frikkys that look like that, I promise to stop calling you all the things that I call you in my head. Sweet cheeks.
(Also, sent Alan a message. That knife is too cool to be believed.)
I'm far away from making a frikky. Good thinking contacting Alan instead.
That Smurfing Forum is no bueno and HI SPONGBOB. - Kilroy Psychosis is refreshing like a cool glass o' lemonade. - T. YOU HAVE MY AXE, WILLARD DIGGERD OF WESTEROS, FIRST SON OF THE FROG KING - Q Where is the satisfaction in watching other people accomplish things? - Short Make woopy, make waffles make like the wind. - Roy
Post by willydigger. FB inFamous on Aug 10, 2013 10:04:24 GMT -8
^ Wouldn't be the first time. My first Alan Davis, spawned several duplicates.
That Smurfing Forum is no bueno and HI SPONGBOB. - Kilroy Psychosis is refreshing like a cool glass o' lemonade. - T. YOU HAVE MY AXE, WILLARD DIGGERD OF WESTEROS, FIRST SON OF THE FROG KING - Q Where is the satisfaction in watching other people accomplish things? - Short Make woopy, make waffles make like the wind. - Roy