I am studying machines to help in folder knifemaking. Mill or Lathe?

Who uses one of the small lathes to aid in making folders? I am specifically interested in information on benchtop lathes 7" x 10" etc. And do these gear driven lathes have an advantange over the belt driven taigs and sherlines?

If you have one, which one and what all you do with it. Do you like it? Would you change something? If so what?

I am begining to think a lathe may be a better choice for a small machine. I originally started looking at benchtop milling machines. But after looking at Taig's page and I was thinking a lathe with a milling attachment to add the third axis might be the best all around answer. You could mill the integral bolster, do nail nicks, turn blade stops, mill slab material instead of grind, turn bearings, spacers, bushings,etc.

I was wondering would a small 7 x 10" lathe be an all around good tool for folder making?

Some makers say bigger is better. And big machines can help build tools for knifemaking. Some say get knee mills and such but I just don't have room and money for that now.

I just thought it would improve my folders. I am already making folders and have even sold a few. I just am looking for ways to improve them.

So I am really looking for someone that has already traveled the road I am on and can give me advise on the benchtop lathes and mills. With a small lathe for $300 to $400 vs a mill for $550 to $600, which one to get if you can only get one right now.

Any and all info. is welcomed. And thanks in advance!!!

I use a Sherline, and it does a fine job for small work. I have been told by knowledgeable machinists, however, that a big lathe can do anything a small one can, and much more.

Since I am not making folders, I seldom turn knife parts. For that reason, my milling machine sees much more use in my shop. It is not a knee mill, but not a benchtop model either (over 600 lbs). Take a look at the shop tour on my web site for a picture of the tools I use.

www.cowlesknives.com

I actually don't have either, but I do alot of
machining at work. If I were to ever buy a machine
I think I would look hard at a Smithy. I sent for
a pamphlet and they look like they would be great
for knifemaking/gunsmithing.
They have an excellent warranty and help line, and
they have some really cool tool packages as well.
I honestly don't work for them.
I'm sure others may disagree, but for the money they
look pretty versatile.
I have the letter..
Smithy
PO Box 1517
Ann Arbor, MI 48106-1517
1-800-476-4849
I plan to get one.

I have a mill and a lathe and hardly use either for folders. I mostly make tools with them.
When I think of tools for folders, I think of grinder, drill press and surface grinder. Folders have to be flat.
And a good band saw and files too.
The truth is I use my drill press (with a small adjustable vise) for most of the operations you mentioned, like nail nicks, blade bobs and such. I spot weld or screw on bolsters and find grinding handle slabs is almost always faster then machining anyway.
The drill press even helps me punch out the washers, tap the liners (manually) and can shape and smooth handles using various sanding drums, etc.
For my money - first a grinder, then drill press with small adjustable vise, then a saw & surface grinder.
A mill and lathe are handy, but not really necessary.
Just my opinions.

I have a 7x10 lathe like the one sold by Grizzly (see my shop tour, a Sherline CNC mill and a large 660 pound table top mill.

I use the mills much more than I use the lathe and I use the Sherline more than the big mill. Although the Sherline is set up as a CNC mill I use it manually far more often than I use it as a CNC.

The one and only job in folder making - and the specific reason I bought the 7x10 - that I use a lathe for is to make it easy to drill a hole in the exact center of a piece of round stock. That's it. Of course, that job can be done on a mill but it takes a lot of careful setup (for me, anyway) to get it done whereas the lathe is very fast and easy.

If I had it to do over again, I'd probably get the Sherline lathe instead of the 7x10. It is more than adequate for making thumb studs and turning bearing bronze. On the other hand, I also want an even larger lathe for tool making, like Gene said.

I can imagine life without both a lathe and a mill because I've made folders that way but I wouldn't want to go back...

Thanks for all your replys. It basically sounds like there are lots of people making quality knives using everything from next to nothing to the best machines money can buy.
My real objective it to get a machine to do two jobs for sure.

1. To cut nice looking nail nicks in my folder blades. Better than what I am currently doing anyway.

2. Make intergral bolsters and liners out of nickel silver, and stainless steel (400 & 300 series), primarily. Thought about Titanium too but I don't know if anybody is making intergral out of T or not.

I orginally went with the mill idea. But I don't want to limit myself so I thought a lathe with a milling attachment might be the best ticket. Just in case I do start making tactical folders and need the stops, spacers, etc.

The taig mill was looking really good but then the mini grizzly mill looks good too and it has some features like gear drive and larger table and motor.

I am getting confused. <img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/images/emoticons/ohwell.gif ALT=":\">

I already have a grider and drill press. I am currently using precision ground steel so I'm doing ok for now without a surface grinder.

Gene I would really appreciate more info on cutting nail nicks with the drill press.

I found a Smithy that was hardly used and got a good deal on it. I also looked at the other machines,and i am sure they all do a good job,,,, but the smithy is built really well,,,and does have lots of tooling availible. I just got mine about a week ago,,, and have been playing with it to see what it can do,,,,,so far iam happy. i willtry to get a pic of it soon,,,,, if anyone would like to see it. or go to their website,,,, www.smithy.com

Geno,
you said that you spot weld on bolsters. I was wondering about this recently myself when I saw a 110v model recently in one of the tool catalogs.
I haven't used a spot welder for 25 years and remember darn little about them.
Does it color the metal?
What kinds of material are you using for bolsters?
How thick are you going on these?

I have both, The lathe I use for pivot pins, thumb bobs, bushings
etc. after you spend 2.50 ea for pivot pins for a year you will see
the lathe is worth after awhile, I can make 10 pins in just about
an hr. after drilling I put them a jig I made and tap them all at once
with a tapmatic.

The mill I use for nail notches, surface grinding, & milling
it cuts down a lot of man hr's once you get use to it.

Get the one from harbor freight it's the same mill that grizzly
has and its cheaper. Just a differant paint job.

James