First art knife

[Andrew Garrett]

More thanks fellas!

I have a flex shaft H.T., but it sucks. If you don't hold the shaft at least 50% straight it disengages and quits spinning. I did this one with the whole thing in my hand. I used various ball mills and sanding drum. I think I must own about 90% of bits Dremel makes.

Thanks for the cool sanding idea!

[H.T. Ryerson]

Originally Posted by Andrew Garrett

More thanks fellas!

I have a flex shaft H.T., but it sucks. If you don't hold the shaft at least 50% straight it disengages and quits spinning.
Thanks for the cool sanding idea!

Yeah, pretty much all the flex-shaft attachments for the dremel are like that. the best thing you can do is kick it into the dumpster and buy a gesswein- preferably one with a foot pedal rheostat. Short of that try hanging the thing from a stand by the little clip on the base. That will help you keep the shaft straight.

Using the flex shaft allows you to wrap your fingers around the handpiece very near the spinning bit, brace the workpiece with your thumb and cut towards yourself like you were peeling an apple with a paring knife. NOTE TO ALL: learn from my mistakes. wear a mask and safety glasses whatever direction you are cutting!
I am sure that everybody develops their own technique, but after two years of running the modelmaking department at a belt buckle factory this is the method I settled on. I hope it helps.

By the way, if you have not already, get a catalog from Rio Grande Jeweling Supply, or Gesswein. They have more attachments for the flex shaft than you can imagine. Also they carry some very nice flex shafts, if you have the money to tool up.

Keep up the good work! I love the design on this one.

[TikTock]

Nice! I like sculpting handles, but wouldnt want to take this on!

Did you use hidden pins? Ona few, I use pine that extend about 1/2 the scale thickness through the tang. I also make "plugs? by drilling bigger countersunk divots in the scales, and a smaller tang hole, which kinda makes an epoxy rivet.

I doubt you need much strength on there anyways...I cant picture someone going at a 2x4 with that thing, if you know what I mean

[Andrew Garrett]

Yea, I may give my shaft another try after this one, but it'll make me mad I'm sure.

I gouged out the back of the scale and put very shallow holes back there for epoxy grip--very much like the 'epoxy rivet' you mentioned.

[oljoe]

Great knife Andrew. That thing looks like it could fly.

Joe

[David Johansen]

Sweet carving!! Nice design that really flows!!!

[Don Robinson]

I really like that, Andrew.

[snakeman458]

andrew:
bro you keep out doing yourself. awsome knife bro. love the blade and handle combo works great together. nice color.
don