Weekend at the Forge

[tippit]

Finally, we had some real nice weather to get outside and fire up the forge.  With Molly down south for the winter, I don't have any Honey Do lists so I got to put what I learned at the hammer-in to use.  My elbow is a little sore as I pounded out four blades.  

The other neat thing is I picked up some new/different 2x72 belts that are so much better than my regular belts.  One guy turned me on to the 3M Cubitron II belt in 36 grit.  He said he ground out 3 hawk heads and the belt didn't show any wear.  Plus it works best with some pressure...that is an understatement!  I can grind a blade in 3-4 passes of the belt down to my quench grind.  Just keep your fingers away from the belt   :eek:   One Cubitron II belt ground out 4 blades and shows No Sign of wear.  I'm  a believer.

Plus Burt Foster explained his procedure in using a disc grinder along with his favorite wet/dry papers.  I've had a disc grinder for a couple of years but never really knew how to use it.  It sure flattens out a belt grind...even when you thought it was flat to begin with.

Here are three of the four blades from the weekend.  The fourth is cooking...Doc

   

The underside edge of the paracord skinner (top knife in picture)

   

[4runr]

You were a busy man there Jeff.
Time well spent!

[Scott Teaschner]

Hey Jeff very cool. Wish I did not have so many irons in the fire at the moment. Otherwise I would be trying to get that forge going and put that video to use. But for now I will just watch your progress. Keep up the good work!
 Scott

[Doug Campbell]

Yep Jeff, that disc sander can be your best friend if you get past the learning curve. What kind of paper is Burt recommending?

Nice work again by the way      

[Lamey]

I just love those finger choil forgings,  may have to do a couple soon.

[tippit]

Doug...Rhynowet redline

[amar911]

Beautiful Jeff. My elbow hurts just looking at those knives, and the are only three-fourths of what you did!

Allan

[tippit]

Doug,  Super Grit has Rhynowet Redline.  The catalog has it from 320/400 to 2000/2500 but Burt had them get 280 & 120 grits in.  They have it instock but you have to ask for it.  Cost is around $20 for 50 sheets.

[Roughcountry]

Great work Jeff, your knives feel great in the hand. ( the blades got here, can't seem to get the email feature to work on trad gang)
RS

[tippit]

Robin, Glad they made it...remember you got two years  

[mater]

Can you explain the disc grinder in more detail? Is it a stationary grinder or hand type? thank you   Mark

[tippit]

The disc grinder is a circular surface that spins.  You glue on sand paper.  Being flat and a larger surface that a belt grinder, it is easier to get your blade flat...that is once you figure out how to use it.  Primarily it really helps to get the little dips out of your belt grind.  Here is a picture of mine.  It is a KMG reversible with variable speeds...Jeff

 

[Doug Campbell]

Wow it sure is clean...  

[Bryan Bondurant]

Disc grinders are an amazing tool. For hogging steel I saw a Cambodian guy taking a angle grinder and putting it in his vise so he could hand grind and dip the steel in water to control the temp. I copied that and its a super cheep way to hog before you go to a belt.

You ever thought about flipping your disc grinder on its side?

[Jack Guard]

Beautiful as always.

[tippit]

Doug,
That's an old picture when it was new...don't look like that now since I learned how to use it effectively.

Bryan,
This one is made as a vertical disc grinder.  You can get horizontal ones too.

[Nala]

Nice stuff!!  I always enjoy seeing your knives.  If I may ask, what do you do with all of them?  You must have one helluva collection.

I'd like to see one like the middle one except with a straight spine.  Now that would be sweet.

Nalajr

[tippit]

Nala, I give most of them away.