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I'm hooked now.
I've been looking at all the knife making threads and now I'm hooked. I was looking at kydex shealth making because I needed to make one also need a holster for my Taurus PT111 and figured while I'm at it why not make knives too. I think I'll start with the premade knife blades form knifekits.com and just make the handles and shealths. Was wondering where you all get your materials from though? Knifekits.com seems to be a good place but there are a lot of items out of stock. I need an eyelet setter #8 but they are out. anyone know where else I can find one? I figure all I'll need for power tools is a small bandsaw and belt sander. Plus I'll have to make a press for the kydex.
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for my part; i scavenge my steel, and improvise pins, fittings, etc. i use a lot of hardwood, which can be had at many lumber and specialty stores, as well as purchased in knife scale and block sizes online from many vendors.
i have gotten some nice materials from a couple of members here at WSF as well.
a hand setter can be had via ebay, etc. and might be found at a craft store. i'm sorry i can't offer any better suggestion than that.
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bandsaws are nice, but not a necessity; i've done a lot of cutting with a coping saw as well.
the belt sander is a treat to have, as is a disk sander. a drum/spindle sander can do a lot of the same work as well.
for pressing the kydex, i bet you could use c-clamps and some molding clay on two boards.
having all the right tools is great, but sometimes a bit of lateral thinking will get the job done just as well.
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Yeah I even thought that I could use my dremmel at first. It can cut and sand just a little more tedious.
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i actually cut two knife blanks out of a piece bed rail with a dremmel. they overheat like a b@#$, but they sure are versatile.
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You don't need a lot of equipment, but if you like making them, you will end up with a lot of equipment. (Going to talk to a gentleman this evening about a trade for his Burr King grinder)
My first belt sander (still use it for some finer work) was a cheap 1' X 30" model with a 5" disc on the side. I still don't have a band saw (guy with the Burr King does though - hopefully we can work things out). I cut my steel with an angle grinder. It's certainly not the most efficient, but it works. I use to use a bench grinder some, but don't now that I have a Grizzyly grinder.
For starting with knife blanks and just doing the handles, you should be able to get by with a minimum of tools. Take a look at EA's thread on knife making - he doesn't use power tools.
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yeah, my bandsaw is a small chinese model made for wood, and is almost certainly not up to the task of cutting more than small stock of metal, small cuts at a time.
my belt sander is a cheap [$100] craftsman 4x36" with a 6" disk on the side. it gets me jobs done, except that it's belt driven and it likes to break drive belts.
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Doug, Jantz, USA Knifemaker supply, Texas Knifemaker supply, Pop supply are good places. Admiral steel has good prices on steel. Farrier rasps are good knives waiting to be made as well. Good luck and welcome to the insanity.
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I learned a bandsaw trick tonight. The shop that I scored a bunch of equipment had a couple of bandsaws. He said they really were not good for steel, as they turn too fast and will ruin a blade rather quickly. What he used (and wasn't parting with) was a small, portable bandsaw. He removed the guide and replaced it with a little aluminum table, then clamped the handle in a vice. It turns much slower, and he said it makes quick work of cutting through steel. I am going to try this. I'll let you know how it works.
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Thanks for the info and web site.
I probably won't try to make my own blades for awhile. So until then I believe I can get these few tools and start making handles and sheaths for now.
Small sander for $109.00
http://i356.photobucket.com/albums/o.../sander109.jpg
Small tabletop bandsaw for $119.00
http://i356.photobucket.com/albums/o...bandsaw119.jpg
#8 Flaring Die for $34.95 (when they are in stock)
http://i356.photobucket.com/albums/o...eletsetter.jpg
Arbor Press at some point for $71.95
http://i356.photobucket.com/albums/o...arborpress.jpg
And finally a press for the kydex but I'll probably make this and save $85.00
http://i356.photobucket.com/albums/o...ndom/press.jpg
Oh and a vice I'm sure.
Might be overdoing it a little who knows. :)
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Doug, you don't really need the arbor press. I just have the dies and tap it with a hammer and they come out fine. I made my own press as well. Get a 10 dollar heat gun at harbor freight as well. You look like you are hooked.
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Be careful, No one has found a cure for this disease. Nor were they looking. :innocent:
Paul
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I don't make knives, so I'm altogether unsure about what you're referring to...
But that press looks like it does the some job as a whitney hand punch to me, which can be had on ebay for fairly cheap. I think I got mine, new, for around $30. Just checking now, apparently there has been some inflation.
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At work we get some of our grommeting tools from these guys.
http://www.stimpson.com/attach_machines.htm
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Alright...we got another one!!:clap: Careful, this can quickly become one expensive hobby.
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Well ordered $50.00 worth of stuff from Texas Kife and $106 worth of stuff from Knife Kits. Will be able to make 2 complete knives and kydex sheaths. Can't wait to get to work on them. Shipping was insane but that's the perk of living in Alaska er I mean downfall.
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*Said in a low, Slow voice* Ohhh Yeaahh, Another one has the bug.
I'll have to get the pic of my bowie knife I made with a "Kit" from knife kits.com. I think it is in the pics of poco1.
Any way I found some pics in my PhotoBucket acct. both before and after....I did add a hole for a wrist strap.This can be done with just a drill press(Or just a drill IF you think you can drill that straight, I can't) and a hammer to tap the pins in. Kit knives are a very good way to make a knife that is "yours, all yours" You are only limited by your imagination.
http://i598.photobucket.com/albums/t...ade_1a_600.jpg
http://i598.photobucket.com/albums/t...Ivemade011.jpg
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Luckily I sorta moved on from making my knives about 20 years ago......But still have some of the equipment....can be used for other things as well as knife making....at least that what I tell DW.
You will never regret tools.
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I regret tools all the time. I regret not having more. I regret not having more room so I can have more. I regret.......
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