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Main Boards => Hunting Knives and Crafters => Topic started by: Lin Rhea on March 09, 2009, 10:10:00 PM
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I was thinking that we ought to have a thread that is about some of our tools that we commonly use in making our knives. I'd like to start by showing some different sized guard clamps that I use. I made these from 1/2 inch aluminum and some socket head screws. I included the plate
(1/4 inch)that goes with the largest one. This is to protect the back of the guard from getting scarred up by direct contact with the screw.
(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3389/3343227992_bef442d620.jpg)
I know that you guys have bought or made some very interesting tools. Let's see em. Lin
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i made one jest like your after youer bild a long thank for sharing
Andy G
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That would be great, your current build along was an "eyeopener" for me. thanks again Lin
Gene
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here's some
Brent Finnegans File guide
(http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z249/Blinkies_by_Lori/Phoenix%20Knives/fileguide-web.jpg)
Blacksmiths 3rd hand
(http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z249/Blinkies_by_Lori/Phoenix%20Knives/Third20hand20hardy20dog.jpg)
Titanium Sanding Block (also by Brent)
(http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z249/Blinkies_by_Lori/Phoenix%20Knives/sandingblock5.jpg)
Sen
(http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z249/Blinkies_by_Lori/Phoenix%20Knives/Scottssen.jpg)
Grooving / fullering tool (by Me)
(http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z249/Blinkies_by_Lori/Phoenix%20Knives/groovy_0016.jpg)
(http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z249/Blinkies_by_Lori/Phoenix%20Knives/groovy_0015.jpg)
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Lawren,
How is that file jig actually used?
Gene
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How do like using the sen Lawren? I've been thinking of making one for use onw big knives
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The file jig is hardened steel, and is clamped to the blade where you want the plunge cuts. The file slides off the hardened steel, and bites into the annealed steel.
The sen is used much like a drawknife, but it takes some practice and getting used to before you can shave long curlies off (grin)The one pictured is without handles yet, and is made of O1
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Well, let's see. I'm flooded in so I'm not going anywhere.
I just ran out of propane, once again affirming the notion that I need to get a spare 100#er for back-up. So, I can't forge.
I've got knives in the oven tempering.
So, I took a few photos of shop gadgets that make my day go easier.
Right here are three of the most important tools I use. Lin, you might think about getting a set of those parallel clamps to hold your guards when you shape them. I have a set hanging on a nail right next to my grinder!
(http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c247/kbaknife/tool1A-1.jpg)
Quench tank on wheels!
I have two speeds of oil that I use at about 5 gallons each. These are warmed up on a double electric burner and roll away under a bench top when not in use:
(http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c247/kbaknife/tool1-1.jpg)
(http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c247/kbaknife/tool1c-1.jpg)
Hey - I did not take a photo of it by itself, but see in the photo just above here, hanging on the table is a flat bar hanging down on a little nail. That's a piece of mild steel that has notches cut in it at 1/2" increments for measuring blades. It will NEVER burn or wear out!
Here is my hammer and tong "Lazy Suzan". It turns on a pipe for easy access to tools right in front of the anvils:
(http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c247/kbaknife/tool1e-1.jpg)
I guess since I'm in the damascus business now, I needed some extra stuff!
Here is a steel sawhorse for grinding billets. The C-Clamp holds the billet handle while grinding scale off. the mill vise holds the billet while welding. (On wheels for moving around on 5160 legs!!)
(http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c247/kbaknife/toolA-1.jpg)
(http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c247/kbaknife/tool3-1.jpg)
(http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c247/kbaknife/tool4-1.jpg)
I use this Neetsfoot oil "quench tank" for water proofing my sheaths. Heat up the Neetsfoot oil to 190 degrees and quench sheaths for three seconds.
(http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c247/kbaknife/tool1D-1.jpg)
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A granite slab that has been milled to less than .0001" lateral accuracy. I use this in conjunction with a valve lapping plate for getting ricassos and guards absolutely flat-butt FLAT!
(http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c247/kbaknife/tool1b-1.jpg)
Here is a gadget for the power hammer that stops the hammer at a predetermined thickness.
I have spacers for .200", .220", .260", .280", .300" and 1 inch for billets.
(http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c247/kbaknife/tool5-1.jpg)
(http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c247/kbaknife/tool6-1.jpg)
Here is my homemade knife vise that rotates 360 degrees for doing handle finishing and blade sanding. Followed by a work station with three different vises that are accessible from all directions! I hate a vise on a bench - you can only work 1/2 of it!
(http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c247/kbaknife/tool-1.jpg)
(http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c247/kbaknife/visestand-1.jpg)
Now, I work heavy stock steel - not bar stock. So I forge my steel to a dimension just a little smaller than the width I need for my blade. After I forge my point, and pull my cutting edge down, I then set the ricasso DOWN. I made this gadget for that.
I can forge in either a round or square ricasso.
In one photo I have it up out of the hardie hole to show the post on the bottom.
Also, it swings over and out of the way and has different depth adjustments so that when it's down it can be kept parallel with the anvil surface.
(http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c247/kbaknife/cb1-1.jpg)
(http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c247/kbaknife/cb3-1.jpg)
(http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c247/kbaknife/cb2-1.jpg)
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And of course we have the bowling ball vise for doing wire inlay. This is so you don't have to spin around in circles chasing the wire, but rather turn the vise and YOU sit still!
(http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c247/kbaknife/bbv2-1.jpg)
(http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c247/kbaknife/bbv-1.jpg)
(http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c247/kbaknife/mg8-1.jpg)
Name stamp press - self explanatory.
(http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c247/kbaknife/stamp5.jpg)
(http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c247/kbaknife/stamp6.jpg)
(http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c247/kbaknife/stamp4.jpg)
Thought I'd throw these in. It's how I attach my anvils to their bases and move them around.
Ths was before I built my "Lazy Susan" for the hammers.
On the last photo you can see a guillotine fuller hanging on the anvil base for, well, fullering.
(http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c247/kbaknife/gasanvil.jpg)
(http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c247/kbaknife/gasanvilhandle.jpg)
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No doubt, I could take 20 more pictures of gadgets. Drawers are full of clamps and holders and scrapers and special files, etc.
I have an entire tool box just for wire inlay!
(that's Lin's fault!)
Here, of course, is your basic safety glasses rack:
(http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c247/kbaknife/tool7-1.jpg)
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im in the same boat with you karl. been watching the rain out my hotel window all day. i dont have any cool tools to show. alot of these tools is soo simple, i cant see why i have not thought of building any of these things
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AWESOME PICS Karl.....thanks everyone for taking the time to post pics.....Please keep them coming......Skyler
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This should be COOL TOOLS thread!
Dan
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Thanks to all for sharing! But I gotta say it. Karl You B Da GADGET GURU!!!!! Now I'm going to have to dig my little welder out and build some of this. Bug a bud from work into building me Lins guard press and blade clamp. Already have a bowling ball vise in the works. Dang I need a bigger shop next!lol :notworthy: C-Yall Bob
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Karl That is a good looking knife on the bowling ball!!!
I'll post pic of my new toy tomarrow
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Heres a gadget(press) that I've been working on to be used this summer to make Damascus!!!Supose I am over half done.still have to make Dies and make foot control.(Karl this is what we use in MO.) :) :) (http://i307.photobucket.com/albums/nn293/coonpeter/forge001-1.jpg) (http://i307.photobucket.com/albums/nn293/coonpeter/forge003.jpg)
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When's the hammer-in?
Since you won't answer my mail I'll ask you here.
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Sorry I just did
Anyway, April 18 & 19
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Cool.
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Does anyone else have any special tools to help out the up and coming? Thanks
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No picture needed for this one...you can make a big sanding block by buying a 3x24" sanding belt, and cutting a 1x4 to the correct length for a tight fit in the belt. Very useful.
Next, this portable bandsaw works real well and doesn't take up much space, if you mount it on the wall. Add a big metal platen and you have a good bandsaw that will cut anything. It does lack for throat space though. Buy used at pawn shops and save money. (Yes, the trigger is strapped "pulled")
(http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j117/OconeeDan/2009_0316Image0001.jpg)
If you don't have a vise on your drill press, this gadget is handy for holding handle material for drilling through, like antlers or blocks of wood. Made with flooring scraps and all thread and wingnuts.
(http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j117/OconeeDan/2009_0316Image0002.jpg)