Dremell or drum Sander

Mark Barone

Mark Barone

Well-Known Member
i am struggling getting tight radius' done on my first blades. I keep screwing up. I tried putting a 40 grit drum on my drill press. It didn't work. No metal was coming off. I can't use files . I have some limitations/carpal tunnel that prevent me from doing repetitive motions. Do dremels have metal sanding drums. Is it the speed that makes it work? I'm on my 4 th blade. I keep wrecking them . I am not giving up.
 
I'm guessing your talking about an internal radius like for a finger groove? The Dremel works but you will go thru a lot of the little drums. I used mine to do the one on my first and my second blade that I'm working on now.
 
Yes the finger type radius. I don't mind using a bunch of drums
As long as they work. I got really far this time but ruined my blade after heat treating it. I need some tips of getting all the scale off .
I took it back to the belt sander and ruined my nice bevel I made. It was so pretty and had a nice transition line. I should have sanded by hand.
 
Retroguy said:
Yes the finger type radius. I don't mind using a bunch of drums
As long as they work. I got really far this time but ruined my blade after heat treating it. I need some tips of getting all the scale off .
I took it back to the belt sander and ruined my nice bevel I made. It was so pretty and had a nice transition line. I should have sanded by hand.
Click to expand...

Hand sand it. That scale is not bad. I only go to 220 heat treat then hand sand with 220 to 400 to 500-600. I like satin finishes, but if you wanted a mirror finish just keep moving up in grits. Also check out Aarron Gough or Nick Wheeler on YouTube they both have good videos on how to finish sand knives. And Nick makes some beyond Gourgous Bowie knives, Aarron's no slouch either!!
 
Sorry forgot about your limitations with your hands. If that's the case you should make a grinding jig so you can repeat your angles.
 
What kind of sander do you have? You can design your knife around your equipment to make life easier.
IMG_20170727_165327.jpg
Or you can use j-weight belts. It takes some practice but can be a huge time saver. For finger choils I just tare the belt in half and push the knife down on it.
IMG_20170727_165301.jpg
 
Yeah. You'll go through a few papers though; there isn't a lot of sandpaper on them. I've got one of those tool sets that I bought years ago to go with my Dremel. It had all the various drum sand papers, grinding stones, little cut off wheels, little buffer wheels, little flapper wheels, etc. Have used it many times on various projects around the house and in the shop.

If you've got a "real" belt sander then Ty's suggestions would work better.

Retroguy said:
Yes it states woodworking though. Will they still sand metal?
Click to expand...
 
I gotta jump in here with a word of caution..... metal wheels are NOT designed to be used as contact wheels. You might get away with it a few times, but eventually you're going to "blow" a belt doing it, and probably get hurt int the process. GRIND ONLY ON RUBBER/URETHANE/COATED WHEELS.
 
Ty Adams said:
What kind of sander do you have? You can design your knife around your equipment to make life easier.
View attachment 61625
Or you can use j-weight belts. It takes some practice but can be a huge time saver. For finger choils I just tare the belt in half and push the knife down on it.
View attachment 61626
Click to expand...
Love that bottom knife, Ty! I'm working on a smaller one with a bit more drop point...very similar. Hope my blade grind looks as nice when finished!
 
Smallshop said:
Love that bottom knife, Ty! I'm working on a smaller one with a bit more drop point...very similar. Hope my blade grind looks as nice when finished!
Click to expand...
Thanks for the compliment Ted. I made that knife for cutting sand paper. I have thought about making a few of them to sell.
 
EdCaffreyMS said:
I gotta jump in here with a word of caution..... metal wheels are NOT designed to be used as contact wheels. You might get away with it a few times, but eventually you're going to "blow" a belt doing it, and probably get hurt int the process. GRIND ONLY ON RUBBER/URETHANE/COATED WHEELS.
Click to expand...

Ed so does this go for small wheel setup too??
 
People are gona do what people are gona do, until they find a reason not to.........In my opinion and experience, it goes for ANY "contact" wheel that is solid metal. I know there are some small wheel attachments out there that use all metal contact wheels, and if a person chooses to use those, then that's their decision. I personally will not (I have the scars prove it :) ) All I can tell is that sooner or later using any wheel for grinding, that is solid metal, is gona "bite" you.
 
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Thanks Ed, putting my wish list together for a 2x72, want to get the right stuff first time out. Want to learn how to use grinder not worry about getting hurt!!
 
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