New to forum, want to make fillet knifes

[SteelP]

I see. So I'll need to find a good electric motor that is tefc so the shavings don't short it out. The drill press says "for wood and metal" on the front. It's a hefty walker turner from probably the 40s/50s. It's a 6 amp 1/3 hp motor but it for sure isn't enclosed. Overall the press weights between 250-300 pounds with its steel post and cast iron base. I was thinking more along the lines of building a system to sit off to the s##e and mount onto the post and not run it off the drills part of the system, but I think it is gonna be better to get a dedicated system. Do people not use the bigger 8 inch bench grinders to grind bevels?

[SteelP]

This is the kind of drill press I have

[jimmontg]

and then finish with a belt grinder. It takes some skill to grind a bevel with a 8" grinder, but it is definitely doable. A lot of 2x72 belt grinders have 8" contact wheels for hollow grinding. Sorry I d##n't notice you had an 8" grinder. It will take practice, but is very doable so use some scrap mild steel and get to learning how to do a hollow grind. Also get a fine grit wheel for it and a wheel dresser. Clean up the flats with the 1x30 and its disc. I am a firm believer in learning to use what you have if you can't afford better. If you can afford better then that is another conversation.

I also wouldn't mess up a big drill press like you have to grind with unless it is already messed up. I wished my drill was as big.

[dtec1]

my opinion if your going to get a motorand build a grinder just build a 2x72 that is what most knife makers end up with anyway just skip the m##dle ground and go straight to the end

[Ray Rogers]

QUOTE: Do people not use the bigger 8 inch bench grinders to grind bevels?

I've known several who tried but only one who continued to use a bench grinder even after he had a good belt grinder. The stone wheels and high speed just generate too much heat. And, what if you d## manage to get your initial bevels ground that way? Now you have a rough 8" hollow grind but no way to change to a finer grit to improve the finish. Set your sights on a 2x72" belt sander ...