New Grinder/First Flat Grind

[tomsm44]

I haven't built any knives in the last couple of months because I have been getting all of the supplies rounded up for my No Weld Grinder.  I got it up and running last weekend.  The pictures below are of the grinder and the first blade I've ground on it.  This is my first try at flat grinding, the few blades I've made so far were hollow ground on a simple bench grinder.  This one is far from perfect and hopefully I'll get better as I go, but so far, I really like doing this type of grind.  I also think it looks better, at least on this particular blade, than a hollow grind.  The blade is currently finished to 240 grit on the grinder with no hand finishing done.  I'm doing a set of 9 of these with some nice curly koa for a friend of mine to use as gifts.  Once I get all of them finished to this point, I'll drill pin holes, heat treat, final finish, and attach bolsters and scales.  Not sure yet, what finish I'll go for.  I'll try to get some finished pictures up, but it'll probably be a while.

I'd just like to say thanks to all of you that have given me advice on ways to get a decent grinder and other tools on a budget, as well as advice on how to improve the quality of my work.  I've seen a big improvement in my work since I joined this forum, and I hope it will improve even more now that I have some decent equipment to work with.

 

 

 

[jeff mccray]

That is very nice!  I want to one day make a very simple three wheeled 2x72.  Is that a 2x72?

[tomsm44]

Thanks Jeff.  It is a 2X72.  By three wheeled, do you mean drive/tensioner/contact wheel, like a kmg, or are you talking about another design.  The way this one is designed, you can remove the tool arm with the flat platten and replace it with a tool arm with a contact wheel in about 10 seconds.  I currently only have the one tool arm, but will probably build more later.  Midwest Knifemaker sells the plans for around $20, and you can build it with a hack saw, drill, and a few simple hand tools.  I had access to a band saw and drill press that sped up the process a little and a bead blasting cabinet that will hopefully make the paint job last longer, but those things aren't required.  My total cost getting all of the supplies, including the motor, new was a little over $500, plus probably 15-20 hrs labor.  I probably could have knocked $100 off pretty easy if I had shopped around for used parts and better deals.

[Bodork]

That looks great Matt! An excellent price too! How long did it take you to grind that blade?

[jeff mccray]

Nice!  I am talking just drive and contact
wheel.  A platen and interchangeable contact wheel.

[tomsm44]

Thanks.  After cutting it out with a band saw, it took about an hour and a half to finish grinding the profile and do the flat grind.

[bjansen]

Nice job. And nice new grinder!