Looking for ideas on more EQ.

JawJacker

JawJacker

Well-Known Member
Im ordering a grinder and an oven, I have a bench top drill press and a buffer and a ton of files and other hand tools. I have some extra cash to secure another toy, I just cant decide, was thinking a mini mill or big drill press. Let me hear some ideas Thanks
 
If a surface grinder is out of the ballpark cash flow wise, a good etcher, more supplies (steel, belts, sandpaper), accessories for the grinder like small wheel attachments, better shop lighting, tongs for your oven, heat treat foil if you do stainless (and quench plates), a knife vise (this gets my second vote after the SG), a variable speed disk grinder (vote 3), and any number of other things would come before the mill and especially the other drill press. Not that those and a metal lathe wouldn't be handy to have...
 
I know this doesn't sound like fun, but I suggest holding back the funds until you get your current grinder etc in and up and crank out a few blades, You may want extras for the grinder?

What kind of 2 x 72" did you order anyway?
 
I don't know much about power tools and there won't be any for me in the foreseeable future. With that in mind I would agree with Laurence. Make a some knives and just when you think "ooh a xxxxxx would be handy right now" you will know what to buy. That's how I go about every purchase.
 
Sounds like some great advice here,
Oct. Im ordering a TW90 and a 24'' paragon, Ill consider the advice from you guys thanks leaning for the SG att. from Travis but the table seems short 9 1/5 inches
I have limited SG knowledge so I dont know.
 
JawJacker said:
Sounds like some great advice here,
Oct. Im ordering a TW90 and a 24'' paragon, Ill consider the advice from you guys thanks leaning for the SG att. from Travis but the table seems short 9 1/5 inches
I have limited SG knowledge so I dont know.
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I'm planning on doing exactly this with the TW90, and have the same concern. Consequently, I paid attention this weekend when I was at another maker's shop who had a surface grinder (several really), and everything we need to surface was usually less than 8 inches. I think one could run into problems if you wanted to reduce the thickness of a billet or barstock uniformly over the whole length, but one could always profile blades first and then grind them flat, or cut stock to near final length. In other words, while the relatively short travel on Travis's grinder is a concern, I don't think it's a deal killer, and it'll probably be perfect for 98% of whatever you'll want to do.
 
My opinion only but 9 1/2 " is DEFINATELY a deal killer !

I got my second surface grinder for the sole reason that the 10" chuck wasn't long enough for what I wanted to do.

Do the math like this-

4 1/2" of tang
1/2" of ricasso

Both of these are conservatively small for some knives.

Regardless that leaves you with a 4 1/2" blade length to keep the steel on the magnet.

Think about this one before you come off your hard earned money on this fellas !

One tool I bought that I've used a ton is my MIG welder. I got a Lincoln 180c in brand new condition with a full bottle for $500 from craigslist and it's paid for itself multiple times with the things I've used it to build-

Horizontal grinder, 2 surface grinder conversions, knifemakers vice, custom bandsaw blade guard and I'm getting ready to build a 36" long custom quench tank. Great tool to own.

Don't forget to plan for $300 to $500 for a supply of abrasives both sheets and belts. That's if you wanted to get outfitted straight away with a good supply. I still haven't done this but I built up a supply a little at a time which was annoying at times.

-Josh
 
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