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Main Boards => Hunting Knives and Crafters => Topic started by: tippit on March 20, 2011, 07:11:00 PM

Title: Weekend at the Forge
Post by: tippit on March 20, 2011, 07:11:00 PM
Finally, we had some real nice weather to get outside and fire up the forge.  With Molly down south for the winter, I don't have any Honey Do lists so I got to put what I learned at the hammer-in to use.  My elbow is a little sore as I pounded out four blades.  

The other neat thing is I picked up some new/different 2x72 belts that are so much better than my regular belts.  One guy turned me on to the 3M Cubitron II belt in 36 grit.  He said he ground out 3 hawk heads and the belt didn't show any wear.  Plus it works best with some pressure...that is an understatement!  I can grind a blade in 3-4 passes of the belt down to my quench grind.  Just keep your fingers away from the belt   :eek:   One Cubitron II belt ground out 4 blades and shows No Sign of wear.  I'm  a believer.

Plus Burt Foster explained his procedure in using a disc grinder along with his favorite wet/dry papers.  I've had a disc grinder for a couple of years but never really knew how to use it.  It sure flattens out a belt grind...even when you thought it was flat to begin with.

Here are three of the four blades from the weekend.  The fourth is cooking...Doc

   (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v110/tippit/Knives/KeeslarFlaredFingerGuard022.jpg)

The underside edge of the paracord skinner (top knife in picture)

   (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v110/tippit/Knives/KeeslarFlaredFingerGuard019.jpg)
Title: Re: Weekend at the Forge
Post by: 4runr on March 20, 2011, 07:21:00 PM
You were a busy man there Jeff.
Time well spent!
Title: Re: Weekend at the Forge
Post by: Scott Teaschner on March 20, 2011, 07:21:00 PM
Hey Jeff very cool. Wish I did not have so many irons in the fire at the moment. Otherwise I would be trying to get that forge going and put that video to use. But for now I will just watch your progress. Keep up the good work!
 Scott
Title: Re: Weekend at the Forge
Post by: Doug Campbell on March 20, 2011, 07:32:00 PM
Yep Jeff, that disc sander can be your best friend if you get past the learning curve. What kind of paper is Burt recommending?

Nice work again by the way   :thumbsup:    :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Weekend at the Forge
Post by: Lamey on March 20, 2011, 07:58:00 PM
I just love those finger choil forgings,  may have to do a couple soon.
Title: Re: Weekend at the Forge
Post by: tippit on March 20, 2011, 09:35:00 PM
Doug...Rhynowet redline
Title: Re: Weekend at the Forge
Post by: amar911 on March 21, 2011, 12:11:00 AM
Beautiful Jeff. My elbow hurts just looking at those knives, and the are only three-fourths of what you did!

Allan
Title: Re: Weekend at the Forge
Post by: tippit on March 21, 2011, 07:24:00 AM
Doug,  Super Grit has Rhynowet Redline.  The catalog has it from 320/400 to 2000/2500 but Burt had them get 280 & 120 grits in.  They have it instock but you have to ask for it.  Cost is around $20 for 50 sheets.
Title: Re: Weekend at the Forge
Post by: Roughcountry on March 21, 2011, 03:48:00 PM
Great work Jeff, your knives feel great in the hand. ( the blades got here, can't seem to get the email feature to work on trad gang)
RS
Title: Re: Weekend at the Forge
Post by: tippit on March 21, 2011, 10:11:00 PM
Robin, Glad they made it...remember you got two years  :)
Title: Re: Weekend at the Forge
Post by: mater on April 11, 2011, 07:33:00 AM
Can you explain the disc grinder in more detail? Is it a stationary grinder or hand type? thank you   Mark
Title: Re: Weekend at the Forge
Post by: tippit on April 11, 2011, 10:14:00 PM
The disc grinder is a circular surface that spins.  You glue on sand paper.  Being flat and a larger surface that a belt grinder, it is easier to get your blade flat...that is once you figure out how to use it.  Primarily it really helps to get the little dips out of your belt grind.  Here is a picture of mine.  It is a KMG reversible with variable speeds...Jeff

  (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v110/tippit/Knife%20Shop/DiscGrinder003.jpg)
Title: Re: Weekend at the Forge
Post by: Doug Campbell on April 12, 2011, 12:35:00 AM
Wow it sure is clean...  ;)
Title: Re: Weekend at the Forge
Post by: Bryan Bondurant on April 12, 2011, 12:59:00 AM
Disc grinders are an amazing tool. For hogging steel I saw a Cambodian guy taking a angle grinder and putting it in his vise so he could hand grind and dip the steel in water to control the temp. I copied that and its a super cheep way to hog before you go to a belt.

You ever thought about flipping your disc grinder on its side?
Title: Re: Weekend at the Forge
Post by: Jack Guard on April 12, 2011, 03:34:00 AM
Beautiful as always.
Title: Re: Weekend at the Forge
Post by: tippit on April 12, 2011, 07:19:00 AM
Doug,
That's an old picture when it was new...don't look like that now since I learned how to use it effectively.

Bryan,
This one is made as a vertical disc grinder.  You can get horizontal ones too.
Title: Re: Weekend at the Forge
Post by: Nala on April 12, 2011, 01:51:00 PM
Nice stuff!!  I always enjoy seeing your knives.  If I may ask, what do you do with all of them?  You must have one helluva collection.

I'd like to see one like the middle one except with a straight spine.  Now that would be sweet.

Nalajr
Title: Re: Weekend at the Forge
Post by: tippit on April 12, 2011, 08:25:00 PM
Nala, I give most of them away.