It is currently 28 Mar 2024, 17:04

I am not a metal worker but...

This is the place to go with all your issues, questions or handy hints on all things related to motors, electrickery, engineering, metalwork etc...

I am not a metal worker but...

Postby Loghead » 16 Dec 2021, 14:12

I have lost my marking knife, which was an old, chip carving knife, pressed into service. I fancy making a new one, similar to the type I used when I first took up woodwork in 1950; at school of course. They had a handle that was much like a shoemaker's knife, with the short blade that was bevelled on one side. (Left or right handed of course.)

I think a machine hacksaw blade would do for the blade. Cutting it would be a problem, so does anyone know if a Dremel cutting disc would manage? (I don't have an angle-grinder, and don't particularly fancy my competence at my age! :eusa-pray:

Thanks in anticipation

John :obscene-drinkingcheers:
Those who understand Compound Interest, make money from those who don't. (Accredited to Einstein)
Loghead
New Shoots
 
Posts: 68
Joined: 21 Jul 2014, 21:22
Location: Walsall - The Madland Plateau
Name: Jon-Alex

Re: I am not a metal worker but...

Postby novocaine » 16 Dec 2021, 14:15

snap it in the vice jaws.
your dremel will cut it, but it will be slowwwwwwwww.

I use a scalpal, perhaps one of those blades would be a good starting point for you?
Carbon fibre is just corduroy for cars.
novocaine
Old Oak
 
Posts: 2560
Joined: 26 Nov 2020, 10:37
Name: Dave

Re: I am not a metal worker but...

Postby Loghead » 16 Dec 2021, 14:20

That's fine Dave. Thank you. As for slow, that's me... but very sure!

I saw a guy on the tube who cut the 'mushrooming' damage off an old, laminated plane iron, using a hacksaw. Would that have been a special saw-blade?


Regards John :obscene-drinkingcheers:
Those who understand Compound Interest, make money from those who don't. (Accredited to Einstein)
Loghead
New Shoots
 
Posts: 68
Joined: 21 Jul 2014, 21:22
Location: Walsall - The Madland Plateau
Name: Jon-Alex

Re: I am not a metal worker but...

Postby novocaine » 16 Dec 2021, 14:25

Loghead wrote:That's fine Dave. Thank you. As for slow, that's me... but very sure!

I saw a guy on the tube who cut the 'mushrooming' damage off an old, laminated plane iron, using a hacksaw. Would that have been a special saw-blade?


Regards John :obscene-drinkingcheers:


laminated, so quiet likely the bit he was cutting wasn't hardened.
you can cut hardened steel with a hacksaw, but you'll go through blades like there is no tomorrow and it will be a slow process (think 1 blade per 5-10 mm of cut).
Carbon fibre is just corduroy for cars.
novocaine
Old Oak
 
Posts: 2560
Joined: 26 Nov 2020, 10:37
Name: Dave

Re: I am not a metal worker but...

Postby Lurker » 16 Dec 2021, 15:17

Is buying a simple bench grinder out of the question?
Lurker
Old Oak
 
Posts: 2447
Joined: 26 Nov 2020, 10:15
Location: Loughborough
Name:

Re: I am not a metal worker but...

Postby Woodbloke » 16 Dec 2021, 15:31

novocaine wrote:snap it in the vice jaws.
your dremel will cut it, but it will be slowwwwwwwww.


A grinding disc thingie in a Dremel will cut it easily, but as N mentions, it'll be a slow old job and then you've got to clean up and shape/grind the blade. If you haven't got the necessary kit to work with hardened steel, it's going to be an even slower job - Rob
I no longer work for Axminster Tools & Machinery.
User avatar
Woodbloke
Sequoia
 
Posts: 5866
Joined: 22 Jul 2014, 10:06
Location: Salisbury, UK
Name:

Re: I am not a metal worker but...

Postby AndyT » 16 Dec 2021, 16:08

If you'd rather buy one, they are still made, in Sheffield:

Image

https://www.flinn-garlick-saws.co.uk/ac ... ml#SID=538

£7.01 and you can choose right or left handed. That price seems to include UK P&P, so maybe it's time to treat yourself!
--------------
Andy
User avatar
AndyT
Old Oak
 
Posts: 2364
Joined: 23 Nov 2020, 19:45
Location: Bristol
Name: Andy

Re: I am not a metal worker but...

Postby Mike G » 16 Dec 2021, 17:38

Make one by all means for the fun and experience, but it's a lot easier and cheaper to just buy a cheap Kitchen Devil -type vegetable knife and cut the end off.
User avatar
Mike G
Sequoia
 
Posts: 9833
Joined: 30 Jul 2014, 22:36
Location: Suffolk
Name:

Re: I am not a metal worker but...

Postby Raymedullary » 16 Dec 2021, 22:14

The key is left or right handed. The bevel goes on the waste side. A kitchen knife or craft knife will not give you that. It's all in the detail. Make A proper one!
Raymedullary
New Shoots
 
Posts: 173
Joined: 20 Jan 2020, 14:15
Name:

Re: I am not a metal worker but...

Postby Mike G » 16 Dec 2021, 22:25

Yeah, that old chestnut. Do I have to draw it for you?
User avatar
Mike G
Sequoia
 
Posts: 9833
Joined: 30 Jul 2014, 22:36
Location: Suffolk
Name:

Re: I am not a metal worker but...

Postby Phil Pascoe » 16 Dec 2021, 23:35

:lol:
Phil Pascoe
Old Oak
 
Posts: 1094
Joined: 21 Jul 2014, 22:55
Location: United Kingdom Cornwall
Name: phil

Re: I am not a metal worker but...

Postby Loghead » 17 Dec 2021, 00:04

Lurker: You mentioned a bench grinder. No thanks me ol' mate. I used one of those in the sixties, when I was even less aware than I am now. Almost lost a digit! Just misuse I suppose, but I am plain nervous of them. That's why I bought a Tormek.

Mike: As a new blade for a machine hacksaw, is more expensive than a new knife; it's a no-brainer! Thanks for the suggestion of using a kitchen knife, a la Paul Sellers.

Yes Andy that is precisely the type of knife I am used to, albeit mine was slightly more robust. Thanks for that.

Ray... Do I use it bevel down or bevel up? :lol:

Phil. Did I say summat funny? :obscene-drinkingcheers:

John :obscene-drinkingcheers:
Those who understand Compound Interest, make money from those who don't. (Accredited to Einstein)
Loghead
New Shoots
 
Posts: 68
Joined: 21 Jul 2014, 21:22
Location: Walsall - The Madland Plateau
Name: Jon-Alex

Re: I am not a metal worker but...

Postby Lurker » 17 Dec 2021, 09:56

Ahh! So you have the means of sharpening once you have shaped it then.
Later on I will post a photo of mine
Lurker
Old Oak
 
Posts: 2447
Joined: 26 Nov 2020, 10:15
Location: Loughborough
Name:

Re: I am not a metal worker but...

Postby TomTrees » 17 Dec 2021, 10:43

I've a set of those wee knives.
Very soft iron, likely the softest piece of sharpenable tool steel I've ever came across.
So much so, that these taught me how to sharpen them properly.
They were only a fiver when I got them.

No skewing the bevel on these whilst on the hones, or I loose the tip.
bevel positioned on the hone like a chisel in a guide for me any more.
User avatar
TomTrees
New Shoots
 
Posts: 156
Joined: 19 Aug 2014, 23:51
Name:

Re: I am not a metal worker but...

Postby Lurker » 17 Dec 2021, 12:28

Here’s a selection of mine.
I search charity shops for old table knives, the one at the top is the best sort.
They make excellent scrapers by just snapping off the end and grinding square.
Third down is a marking knife but it’s good for other jobs too, I have several so no need to be too precious.
Fourth down, the blade is made from a jigsaw blade. I have made narrow chisels from these as well.
Fifth is made from a wide hacksaw blade, left and right at either end.
Attachments
57E804F2-D865-46FC-BE8B-50DC1E3E4F1A.jpeg
(211.29 KiB)
Lurker
Old Oak
 
Posts: 2447
Joined: 26 Nov 2020, 10:15
Location: Loughborough
Name:

Re: I am not a metal worker but...

Postby Loghead » 17 Dec 2021, 20:06

Lurker wrote:Here’s a selection of mine.
I search charity shops for old table knives, the one at the top is the best sort.
They make excellent scrapers by just snapping off the end and grinding square.
Third down is a marking knife but it’s good for other jobs too, I have several so no need to be too precious.
Fourth down, the blade is made from a jigsaw blade. I have made narrow chisels from these as well.
Fifth is made from a wide hacksaw blade, left and right at either end.


Lurker:

Is the bottom one a 'push-me pull-you'? Exit stage left! :eusa-whistle:

I have just ordered a knife from Flinn's. :)

Merry Chrimble!

John
Those who understand Compound Interest, make money from those who don't. (Accredited to Einstein)
Loghead
New Shoots
 
Posts: 68
Joined: 21 Jul 2014, 21:22
Location: Walsall - The Madland Plateau
Name: Jon-Alex


Return to Engineering - Electrical/Metalworking

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 8 guests