Tools for knifemaking

[Joethefish]

Hi all having started to dabble in making my own knives its about time i got my own tools as i cant keep steeling my dads!
Anyway im thinking of getting..

Range of files
Belt sander (adjustable tilt to make bevel grinding/sanding more accurate)
Drill stand for my drill

I already have workbench, and an angle grinder hacksaw drill etc. Just wondering if anyone can reccommend some makes/models of what would work for me. As always im shopping on a budget so cheap options appreciated!

On a similar note, i made a jig (as first seen on here) for filing accurate bevel angles, but as you know filing takes ages, have tried freehand with the grinder too but my results are no where near as nice, is there anything similar i could make as a guide for using the angle grinderwhen starting to cut bevels? Or if i get a decent sander can i just use that to do my bevels and skip the angle grinder bit altogether... mind you i'd still use it for my cutting/roughing out the blank or i'd be there all year!

Any ideas or suggestions appreciated.

Joe

[Shinken]

If you buy a 14" B-a-s-t-a-r-d and and a 14'' smooth file, filing wont take very long!

[Joethefish]

Mmmmm guess my files are bit short and old... forgive my ignorance but whats a b*****d file?!
Joe

[woodwalker]

Hi,

there's this link here:

http://www.northcoastknives.com/northcoast_knives_tutorials_to ols.htm

that discusses briefly the purpose of each tool. You'll find that most can be adapted and made to do multi purpose stuff. All the power tools allow you to do is to work faster. And maybe with a little more precision.

woodwalker

[TheGreenMan]

It's a hand file that will remove large amounts of metal and it's the coarsest of the B*stard/Second Cut/Smooth, engineer's hand file trinity.

Best regards,
Paul.

[Zammo]

I managed to complete a knife with just handtools, a cordless drill and a Black and Decker Multisander.

I'm not going to say it was easy though, and the muti sander gives your hands pins and needles for ages after prolonged use.

[jojo]

Mmmmm guess my files are bit short and old... forgive my ignorance but whats a b*****d file?!
Joe

As in "illegitimate son" of a, of a..... file :D

[forginhill]

Joe, along with the others, I would encourage you to give files another chance. I use files exclusively and love them. Of course, if you're super busy or are trying to make a career of this then the sander/grinder is the way to go. If you care to, check out my blog at www.primitivepoint.blogspot.co m and see the knives I make using files. Good luck! Todd

[FGYT]

My old files where knackered so i got some new sharp ones fron Cromwell Tools
They sell the 01 steeel in flat bar as well

they work fine and as long as you look after them and clean them regularly will last

i also got a Bench Grinder with 50mm sanding belt on on end from B&Q for £30 ish
not the best choice for knifmaking but helps
I use it to start the bevel but finish with Files and Wet/Dry

Draw filing will add more control

plus black the edge and side and scribe the blade center line and grind line to file to

http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o109/FGYT/Dunc/Knife3.jpg

heres my Knife vice

ATB

Duncan