Purchasing equipment for your shop...

[Ed Caffrey]

Over the past few months I've talked to several people searching for/purchasing equipment for their shops. I have spoken with folks who have been unhappy with what they've recieved, some others who kept it just because it was too much trouble to send back, and others who have returned the equipment.
First let me tell everyone this......the equipment that we use as Bladesmiths/Blacksmiths is only as good as what goes into it.........in other words your going to get what you pay for. If you order a home made $600 power hammmer, then don't expect it to work like, or be as durable as a $1200-$2000 Little Giant. If your going to purchase a hydraluic press, then save your pennies and purchase one from a reputable outfit! None of the forging machines you use in your shop should be "bargin basement" type equipment for two reasons. 1. Your going to want to use the machine for a long time, so look at it as an investment, and purchase the best you can find! 2. Your health and safety are at stake. Any of these machines can kill or maim you. I especially get up tight when people build/sell hydraulic presses that have small cylinders running super high pressures..........that's nothing more than a gamble with life and limb, and is just plain stupid.

I understand that often times money is very tight, and we want something so badly, that we look for the cheapest route to take. That's fine if you only want something to work for a little while. There was a time when I would purchase the "cheap" stuff, and found that I was buying the same tool three or four times, when I should have just waited, saved my money, and bought a good one..... ONCE. Good equipment will pay for itself by doing the intended job faster, better, and with less hassle for you.

Last but not least is the liability issue. If your building equipment for sale, your opening yourself up to a world of hurt if it's not built right. It's only going to take one person getting hurt or killed to ruin your entire life. If your one of those who builds equipment for sale.......isn't it worth your reputation (and much more) to build it right?

The moral of this whole affair? If you don't have the knowledge or skills to build it yourself, buy your equipment from proven sources. They are the ones who have taken the time, done their homework, and tested what they build.........that's the reason their machines cost more.......they know it's right, and know that it's going to work.

This is just my opinion, but some sources that I have had first hand experience with, and that I know offer good machines are....

Grinders: Rob Frink/Beaumont Meatalworks (Hands down the best customer service out there)

Hydraulic Presses: Swain Spring Service

Little Giant Power Hammers: Sid Sudimeier

General shop equipment: Enco, or MSC

[Michael Sanchez]

Ed, I think this post is very timely since a lot of people will be expecting to buy some equipment with the money Uncle Sam will be returning to them.

Good points everyone.

Mike

[Danbo]

Yep, what Ed said. Buy quality stuff, and only cry once.

[DiamondG Knives]

Ed I agree with you 100% as this last year I decided to quit being "Mickey Mouse" and get off my duff and get some decent equipment, even my wife got in the act and bought me a KMG for Christmas!! While I havnt got to use it yet, Ive used them in the past and they ROCK!!!

My first big investment (my wife pushed me on this one too!)
was a press from Ron Claiborn. I fiddled with the idea, but hey I get by doing it by hand. Well the wife said I could have our tax return only if I used it for shop equipment!!! LOL Yep guys I know she IS a Keeper!!

I placed an order with Ron, and purchased model #001 of his forging press. I drove out to Knoxville to get it, and at Rons insistance stayed several days so he could show me how to use it. He pointed out its strong points and its weaknesses. What it would do and wouldnt do. He also gave me hours of hands on instruction! Careful guys, he will infect you with the damascus bug in a hurry! He even infected my little boy!

Now that I have had the press for over a year, I can honestly say I couldnt do a 1/3 of what I have, or tried the many things I have , if I hadnt bought that press. It was worth every dime it cost! And opened doors I had never thought of as far as production!

This isnt a free ad for Ron Claiborn folks, but I just wanted to share my thoughts with you on shop equipment. But the one on one service I got from Ron was WAY over and above what I expected! And the machine is A-1!

Didnt mean for this to ramble on so, just wanted to post my experiance. Buy the best you can afford, and dont be afraid to ask questions! Or for demonstrations!

Oh and yes, Im gonna keep the wife!

God Bless
Mike

[beebee58]

BUY BY PRICE, BUY TWICE

tools don't make the craftsman, but they make the job easier.

[JimmySeymour]

Here's a good example of what Ed might be talking about. This is a homemade belt grinder that uses a 2" X 132" belt. We thought it was great when we first got it. But here are some down falls. When the belt breaks you get raked from the top of your head to your toes with a belt that big, not pleasant with 36 grit or any grit for that matter. When something breaks it is almost impossible to have repaired. The 8" contact wheel has had to be turned several times to be trued up. It is now a 7" contact wheel and no replacement can be gotten easily. While in the navy I had only two weeks a year to come home and work on knives. I spent about 12 out of 14 days trying to get a new wheel only to have to say well maybe next year. I figure the amount of time spent repairing, looking for custom made parts, cost me an untold amount of grief and money. Especially when you are overseas for a couple of years and have the wind knocked out of your sails that a homemade grinder is going to keep you from making knives before you get to your next command. Just my .02 cents.

[JimmySeymour]

uuhhggg, the dreaded red x. I'll see if i can't figure out what i did wrong.

[JimmySeymour]

wouldn't you know it. I can't even open the tutorial for how to post a picture to see what i did wrong. I'll try again tomorrow if it will let me.

[jph]

Ok..

In defdense of the "home made" equipment side of things.. If you are carefull and know what you are doing you CAN build some pretty good equipment.

I built my 5 HP grinder 13 years ago using readily available parts and well, the only thing I had to make from scratch was the axle that the contact wheen is driven on.. everything else is off the shelkf and well, in the 13 years I have been running this beast besides replacing drive belts ( mine uses two) I have to replace the bearing twice (like a $12.00 fix), the belt "v" wheels once (a $35.00 fix for both) and a contact wheen cause I made a BIG MISTAKE. THAT was $$$ but I now have two, I got the boo-boo re-tired..

Like I said, if you know KNOW what you are doing you can make some pretty nice tooling..

Now would I try to make a drill press?? Sure, but why? You can get some nice old equipment like these for a song that still have decades of service left in them.

I'd say don't discount home made stuff.. Craftsmanship is that.. CRAFTSMANSHIP.. But you do get out only what you put in..and good enough usually isn't..

Hope this helps..

13 days to RPFS and COUNTING

JPH

[bulldogsblades]

Well folks, all I can say is that 90% of my equipment is homemade. My power hammer, belt grinder, surface grinder to name a few are homemade. And I must say I am quite proud of this equipment. I am a blacksmith and traditionally build my own equipment as most old blacksmiths did. In fact I would say that most of your modern equipment can be traced back to a homemade contraption in a blacksmiths shop.

I fallow simple rules, if I build it the parts must be readily available. For instance, my belt grinder uses wheels from Beaumont and a contact wheel from grizzly. Thus, if I am not around and you have one of my grinders, replacement parts are readily available. All of my equipment is built on this principle.

But on the flipside, I must say that rarely does anyone inquire about replacement parts availability when ordering this equipment. it?s a question that should always be asked.

When ordering homemade equipment ask questions. The seller should happily answer your questions without doubletalk and if he does not, THEN DON?T ORDER! If you can afford the name brands, then God bless ya.