Surthriver
Member
Hello Everybody!
This is my first post and I figured I’d introduce myself in the “New to Knifemaking” section.
I ground out my first knife on a hard wheel grinder about 2 ½ years ago from a old rusted piece of steel I found in our woods. It wasn’t even close to good but the bug bit me and progressively I’ve got better tools and more skill and each knife turns out a little better than the last.
Right now I’m working with a old 4x36 belt grinder, a old Craftsmen variable speed electric (corded) drill, a angle grinder (a cut off-wheel to cut blanks out to the “rough” and a grinding wheel to grind em closer to the line), a vise, and various hand tools that you would normally find in a shop.
But anyway, long story short, I have a birthday coming up and my dad is getting me a gift card to Harbor Freight or Sears, whichever I want. Harbor Freight I can get more tools/possibly less quality, or Sears less tools/better quality.
I’m wanting another belt grinder, preferably a 2x72 but nobody has it in my budget. Harbor Freight only has something like I have already (4x36), and a 1x30. Craftsmen has a 2x42 for about 160$. I’m thinking on the Craftsmen. Is it worth buying? Also, would it be worth forgetting about buying one now and saving up for a Grizzly 2x72?
I also need a drill press. Harbor Freight carries one for 70$. It’s a 5-speed, tabletop model. I know it is better the drill I’m using now. But is it worth buying? Craftsmen has several but they run about 110-160$.
And last, I need a bandsaw. Harbor Freight has one for 125$ but its not variable speed and max speed is 1725 rpm. Is that too fast to be cutting metal with?
Any help on the quality and usefulness of these tools would be greatly appreciated. Thanks‼
This is my first post and I figured I’d introduce myself in the “New to Knifemaking” section.
I ground out my first knife on a hard wheel grinder about 2 ½ years ago from a old rusted piece of steel I found in our woods. It wasn’t even close to good but the bug bit me and progressively I’ve got better tools and more skill and each knife turns out a little better than the last.
Right now I’m working with a old 4x36 belt grinder, a old Craftsmen variable speed electric (corded) drill, a angle grinder (a cut off-wheel to cut blanks out to the “rough” and a grinding wheel to grind em closer to the line), a vise, and various hand tools that you would normally find in a shop.
But anyway, long story short, I have a birthday coming up and my dad is getting me a gift card to Harbor Freight or Sears, whichever I want. Harbor Freight I can get more tools/possibly less quality, or Sears less tools/better quality.
I’m wanting another belt grinder, preferably a 2x72 but nobody has it in my budget. Harbor Freight only has something like I have already (4x36), and a 1x30. Craftsmen has a 2x42 for about 160$. I’m thinking on the Craftsmen. Is it worth buying? Also, would it be worth forgetting about buying one now and saving up for a Grizzly 2x72?
I also need a drill press. Harbor Freight carries one for 70$. It’s a 5-speed, tabletop model. I know it is better the drill I’m using now. But is it worth buying? Craftsmen has several but they run about 110-160$.
And last, I need a bandsaw. Harbor Freight has one for 125$ but its not variable speed and max speed is 1725 rpm. Is that too fast to be cutting metal with?
Any help on the quality and usefulness of these tools would be greatly appreciated. Thanks‼