All About Pocket Knives

http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/sto ... i_13736960

If not any other better choices my spending range is no more than $350

Chris,
If you are looking for just the 1" belt sander w/o the disc sander, harbor freight has one for $45.00. If you need both the belt and disc sander than that Delta from Home Depot looks good.

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/d ... umber=2485

I like my delta tool,s never had any problems with them, just wish I had gotten a delta bandsaw instead of the craftsman. I swear I spend more time fixing it than I do using it.

If I wanted to start re-handling knives and such I would like the choice the Delta offers. now buffers look kind of expensive correct I will need one of those right. any recomendations

get a delta bench grinder and replace the wheels with buffing wheels, simple, easy, cheap, and effective, wish there was an arbor extention kit ou there though for buffing those longer projects.

As for a buffer, my reccommendation would be to buy one that has a speed of 1725 PRM or so. 3600 RPM will rip buffs, especially loose muslin and will be more apt to grabbing and throwing knives. The 10 inch Jet I for $170 last year goes for $260 (approx) on Amazon. More bang for the buck on the bigger buffers.

Ok this is what I got so far. These 2 are the choices, what else will I need,

http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/sto ... i_13736960


http://www.amazon.com/577110-JSB-10L-10 ... B00062NEXW

ow and a band saw is alot of $$$ is their a cheaper smaller way, I'll just be making pocket knives.

When selecting grinder, always keep in mind, "what selection of belts and what the belts cost". You will need need a buffing wheel for each color of buff - minimum is likely 3 buffing compunds and another for carnuba wax. Also one buffing wheel for non ferrous metals and another for ferrous metals - steels in our case. I use concentric sewn and loose muslin as well as some flannel. You don't need to buy 6, 8, and 10 inch wheels all at once. I use mostly 6 and 8 inch wheels. I do use a 10 inch concentric sewn with black buffing compound and a couple others. Otherwise its just 6 and 8 inch and those will do everything. I buy a dozen each at a time to save money. As you go, you will try a bit of this and a bit of that and end up with a bit of everything until you find what works best for you - what gives you the your desired effects most efficiently.

Harbor Freight sells a cheap bandsaw (red one about $170) and I have never had a blade tracking problem. I also only use bi-metal blades. A metal cutter runs at least 3 speeds, all to slow for wood.

I also have a wood cutting bandsaw and table saw, but sounds as if you might not need those. If you plan on doining your own heat treating, you will need a kiln or ship it out - most stainless steels only and air quench steels. Carbon is easily done at home and need a quench tank with the oil recirulating and heated to 130 degrees. For a single small blade a gallon may be enough. But most quench tanks hold 3 gallons. You will need a Drill Press with bits and reams and a set of carbides eventually.

Thanks guys for the help with this info and the other information on this site I am going in the right direction. Now if I only didnt have a day Job.

My choice would be the Delta over the Harbor Freight model. I have the Delta & have had no problems in about 3 years. I do use the disc on some handles, mostly to shape it. I also have an old Delta band saw. I am with Muskie, Delta seems to make good tools.

I am also with Hukk on the Jet 1HP buffer. I tried making them from grinders, but most are too fast. I bought the Jet on Hukk's recommendation and I love it!!! It saves me a lot of time buffing over the smaller ones. It has lots of torque & the slow speed prevents a lot of thrown knives.

A good drill press it a must. It was one of the first tools I bought.

Just my $.02,
Dale

I'm not one for power tools (space limitations, no basement or garage to work in ), most everything I do is by hand still, but, A few months back I did buy a 10" Hitachi drill press on sale. Let me say I'm blown away by how much easier it makes things. I can step the speed down to 1100, and chuck in a buff wheel (had been using a hand drill. not fun) My holes are more precise, and the ability to use a drum sander with a level base makes a world of difference to me. If you don't have one, I'd almost put that over every other tool you could buy.

lenny357 wrote:Thanks guys for the help with this info and the other information on this site I am going in the right direction. Now if I only didnt have a day Job.

They say you need a day job to support yourself as a knifemaker.

Hukk wrote: They say you need a day job to support yourself as a knifemaker.

It is sort of like the farmer who won $10 million in the lottery. A reporter asked him what he was going to do with the money.
He replied, "As near as I figgure it, I can now afford to farm for another 8 to 10 years."



Dale