Guys,

As promised, I spent considerable time taking a photo essay of my DDR1 in Box Elder Burl as I worked on it. I have resized, uploaded and added appropriate captions to all of the procedures I used. It is in the Kit knife 'Tutorial Album'

Of course there are so MANY great ways to do these, and I am very fortunate to have the equipment available to me that I do, so this is only guide to how *I* did this particular one. Your methods are as good if not better. I hope you find it informative. Please comment.

www.fototime.com/inv/342C7C8E656D2EB (http://www.fototime.com/inv/342C7C8E656D2EB)

Coop

I like it, Coop. You put a lot of time into it (and learned some things), and it shows. Well done.

Coop, thank you so much. This pictorial/tutorial was outstanding. What kind of bits did you use for thefilework etc. They looked like aluminum oxide bits for the dremmel? Do you think the high speed cutters for a dremmel would work? Again appreciate your helping those of us less fortunate(talented) than yourself.

Thanks,
Droopy

Excellent piece of work Coop! Go to the top of the class :)
You have really thrown yourself into the whole process with such enthusiasm, shared that and shown people the results. I like that.

Roger

Jim-
Now THAT was an education! I'm sure I'll watch it many more times.
There's a lot to learn here and you use some techniques that wouldn't have occured to me without seeing this.

I'll have to adapt to my more limiting assortment of available tools.
As you know, I've really become comfortable with the Dremmel and feel that I can accomplish most (I hope!) of what you show here with it. But this tutorial is going to help me immeasurably! Especially the filework...I'm just beginning to explore that artform. (Got to get me some scrapmetal for practice).

Thanks for the show. I think I'll go watch it again...pass the popcorn.

Dennis

Coop,

WOW...that is amazing. I have a hard enough time just remembering what to next much less setting up to take pics at the various steps. Great Job!

Still waiting for you first stock removal knife. I can see that it is not too far away!

Thanks for all you hard work and input!

Bob Sigmon

Jim,

Is the blade the one that came in the kit, or is it one that you ground? I read elseware that you couldn't do file work on a hardened blade, only an anealed one.

One other question, are your practice grindings on the same type of steel or are you just using scrap? I didn't know if the practice would feel different. I would rather go by some cheap cold rolled steels from home stores than waste good knife making steels.

Drac

Thanks guys! Bob, it WAS a challenge to stop what I was doing to chronicle it for a moment. Once the train gets rollin' it's hard to stop!!!

Filework: Yes those are aluminum-oxide bits. I didn't specify anything, I just ordered stone bits. That's what came and what I had around before I started.

It's true--unless you have 'diamond files' you won't be able to do 'filework' on your blades. So that's why I DON'T! I am using the stone burrs in a rotary tool because the blade is already hardened. Is it really 'filework'? Well, yeah, but not using files. This is the best way I've found. Darrell says that I could use a carbide burr, but so far I have found the stones to be easier to work with. I couldn't even attempt to grind my own blade.

I am just using cheap cold steel as scrap. All those attempts are for the liners filework anyway. I used a piece of 1/8" aluminum stock for my initial blade trials, which isn't shown.

Coop

Coop,
Can't say enough, just viewed the pics again and was just as amazed. Appreciate the answers. You are truly talented, and inspirational.


Droopy

Coop-
Can't seem to locate "machinist's ink" anywhere. I'd like to give it a try. Does this go by any other name? Any idea where I can get some? Online?...

Dennis

Dennis go to the parts store and ask for lay-out dye.Any of them should have it.It comes in blue and red. Later Robert Washburn ABS Journeyman Smith

You would find it at an 'industrial supply' store more than likely. This is the type store Robert was referring to.

And..... you might just use a Magic Marker. Don't laugh--I have done it in a pinch. What you are looking for is simply an ink that will show a scribe line. It don't matter. Buy the magnifier hood soon. That's online at many sources. I find I use it at many workstations, so it is better-suited than a desk fixture.

Coop