Bench grinder.

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warhead052
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Mon Jul 04, 2011 11:33 am

I just got a new bench grinder, a black & decker 5". Its not really new, my grandfather got it for me at a yard sale, but it is a new tool for me. Anyone have any suggestions on what I can make with it? I was thinking a knife since I have a few steel bars about 10" long, polish them up, then sharpen, add a wooden handle and done.
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mattyzip77
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Mon Jul 04, 2011 11:54 am

you would need to have a really hard steel to make a knife, like at least .440 stainless. It would be perfect for grinding down the ends of cannons to make the potato go in better!!
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clemsonguy1125
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Mon Jul 04, 2011 12:00 pm

Ive been looking into making a knife myself. I do not suggest stainless from what I have read it requires sub zero tempering. http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to- ... /?ALLSTEPS
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warhead052
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Mon Jul 04, 2011 12:22 pm

I have some sort of steel, I know its not stainless because it has rust on it. I got 4 bars or it, about 1/4" thick, and 10ish inches long, from a cable company.
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clemsonguy1125
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Mon Jul 04, 2011 1:18 pm

Well you need to know more about the steel to build a knife. Each different steel requires different ways or hardening. Some are quenched in oil while others water. You should also start thinking of how you are going to heat treat it.
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warhead052
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Mon Jul 04, 2011 2:11 pm

Its already made, so all I have to do is grind down a blade on it. Thats all I have to do apart from put a handle on it.
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clemsonguy1125
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Mon Jul 04, 2011 2:50 pm

No its most likely no. With out heat treating it and tempering it, it will most hold a edge. If it is already heat treated and tempered it will be hard to work with. It is most likely not. You can shape it into a knife without going through these steps but it will not be very functional.
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warhead052
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Mon Jul 04, 2011 2:58 pm

It just needs an edge, does not have to have a curve at all.
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jrrdw
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Mon Jul 04, 2011 3:21 pm

After grinding a edge on your bar you can use one of the other bars to harden the edge. Heck, there probably a Youtube video on how to do it.

"Some are quenched in oil" is the method I would use...
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clemsonguy1125
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Mon Jul 04, 2011 3:24 pm

Ok, but it still will not hold and edge very well, so basically it is a rectangle you are grinding a edge on and adding a handle? Good Look and be careful grinder can pull your work piece from your hand and through it back at you.
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warhead052
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Mon Jul 04, 2011 3:27 pm

Clemson, the minute I tell my grandfather I got a plug for it, he will come to my house and teach me everything I need to know about it, so I am ok.
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clemsonguy1125
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Mon Jul 04, 2011 3:45 pm

That sounds good but IMO, If you want to make a knife, do it properly, the end product will be safer and better. Using an improperly made blade can be more dangerous than a properly made bade.
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Doctore
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Mon Jul 04, 2011 3:45 pm

You can make a knife out of an old file.... :)
warhead052
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Mon Jul 04, 2011 3:46 pm

Yeah I know Doctore, but a quarter inch thick steel blade that is 10" long sounds and will probably look alot better.
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jrrdw
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Mon Jul 04, 2011 5:44 pm

warhead052 wrote:Yeah I know Doctore, but a quarter inch thick steel blade that is 10" long sounds and will probably look alot better.
Is all most a short sword. :wink:
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