Tool Making

Last week I saw posts on making your own tools... today I can't find it. (Figures)
A system for making small tools is outlined in:

http://www.scavm.com/gouges.htm

The basic steps are clear & can be modified to fit your desires. The best part (hardening/tempering) is explained, well.

Dick

[Captain_Bandaid]

WCI had an article about 2-3 years ago that showed how to use a propane torch and W1 tool steel to make chisles and gouges. It got me started in blacksmithing and I have made several sets of palm tools. It is harder than it looks to get the sweep of uniform thickness so that it will grind to a straight edge. I still prefer to use my pfeil tools but I have made several special tools that I use frequently. I have made lots of carving knives but, heck, EVERYBODY makes carving knives!

A good book I own and am reading dog eared is Tool Making for Woodworkers by Ray Larsen. Then read the $50 Knife shop by Wayne Godard. Between the two of them you can probably do some damage! I am working on a small forge and am itching to try my hand. If I don't blow myself up I'll let you know how it goes.

I think I will leave the tool making to the experts
I have like Bandaid made a couple of specialty knives
I did make them from old hack saw blades

I read the article about making tools from hacksaw blades
For what I do I just do not believe they would hold up
The steel is not thick enough or strong enough to make a good gouge

Oh well that is just my opinion

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

Wayne, did you make a place to put your foot on it, so you can dig in like a shovel? ha ha

Naw
the old hack saw blade was not big enough for my big foot

[Bandaid]

Hi guys...I have a question re: hack saw blades. I've been told that older blades make better knives due to the composition and/or treatment of the metal used. If this is the case, is there any way to tell the difference?
I know a lot of members have made some great looking carving knive from blades and was wondering if I could get some comments or suggestions.
I've made some knives from store bought blades but would like to try making one from scratch.

[AlArchie]

I've made a few from regular hacksaw blades, and also from saber saw blades. The hacksaw blades are pretty flexible and unless you are wanting a very small detail knife I wouldn't suggest using them. I have just picked up a comercial reciprocating hacksaw blade that is over twice as thick, and very stiff. It would seem that when folks talk about using hacksaw blades, these heavy duty jobs are what they are talking about. Haven't had a chance to make one with this blade yet and probably won't till this fall.

Al

[Captain_Bandaid]

Years ago, hacksaw blades were made from one solid piece of tool steel. With the advent of laser welding, it was possible to weld a 1/4' piece of tool steel to 2' piece of spring steel and save a lot of money. If you run a wire brush over the steel at the tooth line, you should be able to see a fusion line between the edge and the backing. Do not discount the use of the spring steel for knives, after all, Flex-cut tools are made from spring steel. You will have to harden and temper this material to make a decent knife, however. :-/

I have found that for me the blades marked high speed steel, HSS, do not make as good a blade as the 'plain' ones that, I assume, are high carbon steel. If they give off a nice shower of bright sparks when touched to a grinder they are high carbon. HSS will give of fewer sparks and they will be darker red in color.