Swedge grinding?!!

[BRADYHURYN]

Hey there guys, just wondering how y’all grind yours swedges on slipjoints. Havin some difficulty with it , I wanna do them on my 12 inch wheel And practiced on scrap but it proved to be quite difficult. So any tip would be much appreciated.
thanks

 

[Craig]

I grind them after the blade is finished and sanded to 600-800 grit. The blade shape dictates how I hold it. A spear or wharncliff shape I grind like starting the edge just tapering to disappear at the tip. A clip point I hold tip down and check the best angle with the grinder off. Start grinding at the rear of the swedge and roll the tip slowly into the wheel so the swedge gets thinner and disappears at the tip. It helps to use a tool rest to rest the blade or your hands on. Use water on your belt, if you can, to help keep it cool. I start with a 220 grit and finish between 400 and 800 depending on how the grinding is going that day. I can take a couple more photos for you if it will help.

 

[BRADYHURYN]

I grind them after the blade is finished and sanded to 600-800 grit. The blade shape dictates how I hold it. A spear or wharncliff shape I grind like starting the edge just tapering to disappear at the tip. A clip point I hold tip down and check the best angle with the grinder off. Start grinding at the rear of the swedge and roll the tip slowly into the wheel so the swedge gets thinner and disappears at the tip. It helps to use a tool rest to rest the blade or your hands on. Use water on your belt, if you can, to help keep it cool. I start with a 220 grit and finish between 400 and 800 depending on how the grinding is going that day. I can take a couple more photos for you if it will help.
View attachment 77183

Craig that is awesome thank you so much. If you don’t mind taking a few more pics I won’t complain. I’m gunna make like 10 mild steel practice blades and practice my grinding blades and swedges. You always do yours on the contact wheel correct?
thanks

 

[Casey Brown]

I don't do slipjoints, but in general one other thing that I do is to coat the blade in blue dykem, and scribe a center line along the spine, and use a set of calipers to scribe a guideline on the flats as a reference line. Makes it easier to get your grinds symmetrical.

 

[BRADYHURYN]

I don't do slipjoints, but in general one other thing that I do is to coat the blade in blue dykem, and scribe a center line along the spine, and use a set of calipers to scribe a guideline on the flats as a reference line. Makes it easier to get your grinds symmetrical.

thanks for the tip, that’s be easier than eyeballin

 

[Craig]

Casey, I have always used a contact wheel to grind them. When it warms up a little I will take a few photos.

 

[Casey Brown]

Casey, I have always used a contact wheel to grind them. When it warms up a little I will take a few photos.

I use a 10" contact wheel to do mine, but I'm doing hunters and larger.

 

[Craig]

I am sorry Casey, I was responding to Bradyhuryn and typed you name by mistake.

I use a 10 inch wheel also, both grinding bevels and the swedges. I figure if its working I need to keep using it.

 

[BRADYHURYN]

I am sorry Casey, I was responding to Bradyhuryn and typed you name by mistake.

I use a 10 inch wheel also, both grinding bevels and the swedges. I figure if its working I need to keep using it.

I have a 12” so I think I shoudl he fine

 

[Gilbert M]

I don't do folders but maybe this will help. I use a piece of metal that has a slight curve about as much as an oil drum resting on my platen,the curve is side to side. I like it because it doesn't dig in on the edges. Maybe you could try vertically on your wheel or tilt your grinder.

 

[BRADYHURYN]

I don't do folders but maybe this will help. I use a piece of metal that has a slight curve about as much as an oil drum resting on my platen,the curve is side to side. I like it because it doesn't dig in on the edges. Maybe you could try vertically on your wheel or tilt your grinder.

Thank you! I’m gunna think about this ine

 

[Gilbert M]

@BRADYHURYN This might help . My jig has a piece on the top that seats on top of the platen and belt tension holds it in place.

 

[BRADYHURYN]

@BRADYHURYN This might help . My jig has a piece on the top that seats on top of the platen and belt tension holds it in place.

Sweet thank you that does help. I think I should be able to make something like that, that’s a really fantastic idea

 

[Casey Brown]

This is Dan Warren's method. ABS Master Bladesmith. Pretty good video.

 

[BRADYHURYN]

This is Dan Warren's method. ABS Master Bladesmith. Pretty good video.

Thank you!!

 

[Casey Brown]

There's another thread going on talking about grinding clips, which is the same thing basically. One thing I didn't mention was I grind my clips parallel to the belt direction, like is shown in Dan Warren's video. I've seen guys grind them perpendicular, but I haven't been successful with that technique.

 

[opaul]

This is Dan Warren's method. ABS Master Bladesmith. Pretty good video.

I hope for his sake that his glove never gets pulled into that rig. This is a dangerous operation to be using gloves IMHO.

 

[mike miller]

I don't know why it would be any different but to grind a clip I used file guide. Put file guide on, run belt over to just the edge of the wheel, push in and drag to point. Other side adjust belt again repeat for that side.This was done at half speed.

 

[MTBob]

This is a timely topic, I've been wanting to make a fixture just for this purpose. I want a support plate with an angle adjustment, but also would move vertically to the belt face with the grinder in the horizontal position. So, this is what I made.


Then switching things around, I can also use this fixture in the vertical flat platen position.