Shops, tools, materials and tips

[Toejammer]

Nice compact setup Mike.
I really like that old file cabinet, looks like it weighs a ton, but has lots of storage in it!

TON doesn't even begin to describe it ! Can't move it with the drawers in it, even with the hand truck. It was here in the basement when we bought the house. Comes in quite handy though, the shop would be a mess without it.

[Joe Dirt]

Nice lil set up, Jammer!

Here is the sign that is on my stairway door leading to the dungeon...

(Mods, this sign contains a 4 letter word that is in layman's terms for poop. I will be happy to censor it if asked.)

....... Joe















*

[orvet]

TON doesn't even begin to describe it ! Can't move it with the drawers in it, even with the hand truck. It was here in the basement when we bought the house. Comes in quite handy though, the shop would be a mess without it.

The previous owner probably left it there rather than move it!
I would have, even as much as I like it!

[Toejammer]

I like that sigh Joe !

Dale - the wife says it was a storage cabinet for sewing patterns.

[ringergary]

From the bench of one of the master's.

Here's a knife vise I got from orvet ( Dale ).
Haven't used it yet, but a tool like this has gotta be a big help
to a learner.
Thanks Dale.

[glennbad]

From the bench of one of the master's.

Here's a knife vise I got from orvet ( Dale ).
Haven't used it yet, but a tool like this has gotta be a big help
to a learner.
Thanks Dale.

I got one similar to this from Dale, and it has been a huge help!

Glenn

[orvet]

I am glad you like them guys.

I use it on every slip joint I disassemble and reassemble.
Sure makes it easier and cuts down on cracked bone at the rocker pin.

I do have a couple more made up now, if anyone needs one.
It will be the last of them until I buy more steel.

[ringergary]

Just got these in the mail today.
From caddyman, Thanks Bill.
Gotta make it easier for me.
Now, got no excuse not to rehandle a couple of knives.
They look real good, top value too.


Gary

[orvet]

Bill's rivet drills are the best I have found!
Better quality and less expensive than the ones you buy from the the knife supply houses, & they are double ended!
They give you a nice clean cut in the handle material.
If you have ever had a dull drill that chipped the bone or wood, you know what a headache that can be!

You are all set now Gary........no excuses, lets see some of your work!

[muskrat man]

Yup Bill's drills are the best I have several of them

[caddyman1973]

Thanks guys!!!!

[muskrat man]

Made some improvements to my pin rack and thought I'd post a photo in case it might help someone who needs something similar. It still isn't completed. I will make more modifications as they are needed. As you can tell I'm no carpenter, or cabinet maker. Thank God I'm better at working on knives than I am either of those things. Though in my defense all the materials are reclaimed, even the screws.

[muskrat man]

From the bench of one of the master's.

Here's a knife vise I got from orvet ( Dale ).
Haven't used it yet, but a tool like this has gotta be a big help
to a learner.
Thanks Dale.

Ok Dale, enlighten us. I didn't pay much attention at first as I thought it was just one of your cutler vices like the one I have but it's obviously something totally new upon closer inspection. The micarta jaws are new, and they are both relieved. So if it doesn't compress the backspring(s) what's it do?

[DRS]

Loved reading this thread. I'm really new to collecting knives a little over a year but I'm hooked. Lately my intrest have also
change to learning how to repair them.Got a lot of ideals of some tools I'll need from this thread.Not to come across as needy but all I have to start with is a small drill press,4"X6" belt & disc sander a 16 wood - metal cutting band saw that I'll have to get in workig order I think all I need is a belt for the motor but its pack in the back of my small out building
I plan on making a smaller work shop.Any how any advice on what I need to get or donation would be greatly apperciated.
LOL but seriously this is the best site on the web for learning all you could ever want to know about knives.
Thanks for letting me be a part of it.
Very Grateful
Donald
PS how did you learn to work on the knifes you all know so much about it.

[muskrat man]

A few updated pics of the shop layout. Same shop, just a little rearranging and new additions.


Inner Room main desk


lots of files, some punches and hammer rack


Right wall, chemicals, mold making supplies, packing materials and auxilary bench for mold or jewelry making (incomplete)


Outer room, sanders


everything else


Buckets of knife parts, cabinets for handle material and handheld power tools. white collapsable table soon to be replaced with a 5ft permanent bench for more tools



by the door, starting to put up peg boards and appreciate their versatility. Starting to get tied of digging on drawers whenever I want a certain tool. Or when someone asks me where something is it's easier to go dig it out myself rather than try to explain where it is.


I was working on my dust collection system when I remembered seeing this beast in one of the old outbuildings one of the previous owners used as a paint shop for autobody work. It's dilapidated and a hazard or else that is where my shop would be. I dismantled one of the walls around it, brought it up to the house, cleaned it up, rewired it and shore 'nuff it worked. A fresh coat of paint and a 4 ft hole in the wall later I had it ready for use. This thing will flat pull some air now, don't really need dust collection all that much anymore. You can watch the dust go flying towards the fan as it rolls off the sander while in use. Awesome piece of machinery. Has variable speed too.

[orvet]

Looks good Kaleb.
You must not have close neighbors on the other side of that wall.
I am afraid my neighbors would not like my dust blown into their back yard.

[muskrat man]

closest neighbor is about 5-600 yards away, that blows out into the carport/garage anyway

[treefarmer]

Kaleb, I was looking at the pictures of your work shop and I thought I recognized that big bone on the shelf of picture #6. I called my wife to look and all she said was, "He could sure teach you something!" My response was "Muskratman does some fine work". She said "I'm talking about his neatness and organization." My shop is a mess, and I do need to take lessons in neatness as well as trying to understand how y'all do these great knife projects. Thought you might enjoy my wife's view!! Treefarmer

[muskrat man]

Kaleb, I was looking at the pictures of your work shop and I thought I recognized that big bone on the shelf of picture #6. I called my wife to look and all she said was, "He could sure teach you something!" My response was "Muskratman does some fine work". She said "I'm talking about his neatness and organization." My shop is a mess, and I do need to take lessons in neatness as well as trying to understand how y'all do these great knife projects. Thought you might enjoy my wife's view!! Treefarmer

Yup that is that horse bone, gonna cut it up here in the next few days if I can remember. I am just beginning to organize, not just the shop but everything else in my life too. Feels good to know exactly where something is when you need it

[ironmage]

That is a great thing guy's for you to do.I needed to see a set up just to git an idea as where to start.I really want to start working on my own knives and this thread is giving me a good idea as where to start on setting up my shop.I am seeing what tools I need now. I will have to git me 2 or 3 good books on the subject.A drill press and sander and I'll be all set. I have mostly every thing else i need I do believe.What books would you guy's suggest?What tools would you need just to take apart pocket knives and repair them.I'm not talking about making knives just to re handle a pocket knife or take it apart and clean it.Thanks for any suggestions.

[whitebuffalo58]

No books, Iron! Just read the tutorials here on AAPK, they'll pretty much learn ya up everything you'll ever need to know. Kaleb, Dale and several others have some excellent ones in there. If you hit a snag, ask and there's always someone willing to help!

WB

[ironmage]

You are right, and I have done that.That is what got me thinking about learning to do this.This post has bi a big help to.

[damon]

from what ive seen posted here so far... I ONLY WISH I HAD THE SHOPS YOU GUYS HAVE!

im working out of a 1 bedroom apartment. luckily i have 2 tiny balconys i can put the 1x30 and 4x36 sanders on.

here are a couple pics of the workbench. ill post some more after i get pics of the rest of the setup.

enjoy...

[treefarmer]

damon, Had to go back and look at your profile and posts to understand what you are up to in the picture. All I can say is WOW! Not much into engraving but your work looks great. Hadn't really given it much thought other than it looks nice, now I see what that big ol' microscope lookin' device is for. Keep up the beautiful work! Treefarmer

[FRJ]

BUMP.
I wonder if some of you newer guys would mind showing your shops and work areas and tools. It's always interesting to see someone elses stuff.
Thanks.