X'mas Gifts, Something Old, Something New

[Spiel]

Well Christmas is fast approaching and I've been busy in the shop with rod work of course and also busy playing with some new materials (resins, mica powders, aluminum sheeting) for my Stocking Stuffer Wine Bottle Stoppers.

But the big ticket item this year is a couple of Custom Knives for my two Daughter's. I've never attempted this before and of course I didn't forge the Steel (yet!) but I am trying my hand, for the first time at making and assembling the knife handle's from a kit. The wood blocks provided are stabilized Curly Maple. Oh and I can also assure you that the knives are indeed .... razor sharp! Don't ask me how I know.  😁

I'm anxious to get back at it in the morning once the glue has set.
 

 

 

 

[Spiel]

Well I didn't get very far this morning with the handle shaping as the belt on my old Ridgid Oscillating Belt and Drum Sander broke and I have no spares.

It's been a long time since I used it, I don't think the Spiders inside were to happy with me powering 'er up after all these years.  lol

Hopefully I can get out in the next day or two for a few replacement belts in various grits. 

 

[Spiel]

I inherited the old Ridgid Belt Sander (pictured above) from the neighbor years ago before he moved.
It was missing some critical parts but it sufficed for the odd job now and again. But when the belt broke yesterday I went online to source new belts and came across this item on sale. It now has a new home in my shop. I suspect it'll see a lot of use going forward. 

[smitty55]

That's a good deal and generally CTC Maximum products are pretty good quality. Not many reviews to go by but with 2 out of 3 poor reviews I'd be concerned and definitely would give that spindle feature a good workout going by that first review.

[Spiel]

2 hours ago, smitty55 said:

That's a good deal and generally CTC Maximum products are pretty good quality. Not many reviews to go by but with 2 out of 3 poor reviews I'd be concerned and definitely would give that spindle feature a good workout going by that first review.

So after reading your post Smitty I went to the shop, read the operating manual and used two of the spindles, no issues at all.
My guess is that the comments made in the review of the sander failed to read the manual and note that the sanding sleeves seat on a soft rubber core that needs to be compressed with the appropriate size washers (provided) and tightened down to expand the rubber core. Exactly as it is with the small Dremel sanding drums.

I used it for a few hours this afternoon and thus far, I am happy with the purchase. 

This was today's work on the new sander.

Next up, Tru Oil finish the wood and then set the two rivets and the decorative center piece.

 

[MGC]

Great work my friend! They aren’t difficult to make if you play around a bit. Even for the blades themselves. My dad forged a few blades at the cottage couple years ago. Think I still have them downstairs.

[Spiel]

Done.....

Well not quite yet done, rivets are in, decorative center piece is in and the handle needs oiling.
I need to hit my local gun shop for more Tru Oil, mine dried up.
I'm thinking a little more fine hand filing on the rivet heads.

I also got the handle for the second knife glued up and the cork for another rod handle. Time to chill.

 

 

[Spiel]

Both handles are now shaped out. Earlier today I went to Fishing World to pick up some Tru-Oil and both knives now have a single thin coat on. 
What I'd like to do next is get myself some fine flat metal files and address the rivet heads before I proceed with layering up the Tru-Oil. 

 

 

[smitty55]

Looking good. In regards to files there is a huge variety of jewelers/needle files sets out there that I think would fit the bill for what you do. Having used them  for 35 years in the aircraft instrument repair business I can heartily attest to their usefulness. They come in 6 or 12 piece sets with a medium,. fine or xfine finishes and single or double cut faces. The best quality ones considering the fine work you do I would suggest you go with Swiss-pattern files, you'll pay lots more for them but you will never regret purchasing top quality. At the least buy a mid range set from a quality name. I don't know if you ever have to make slots in your craft but a slot file is something you may find handy at times.  Again, you can go for the best with Swiss made like this for example  https://eternaltools.com/products/screw-head-slotting-file  I still have mine that I bought back in the 70s
Here's the best files..  https://www.mcmaster.com/products/jewelers-files/needle-file-sets-9/

And then there's Amazon.  https://www.amazon.ca/s?k=needle+files&adgrpid=1361198090232684&hvadid=85075300630605&hvbmt=be&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=125283&hvnetw=s&hvqmt=e&hvtargid=kwd-85076111170241%3Aloc-32&hydadcr=24906_13599843&mcid=e310450fd02337b79e75f87155717054&msclkid=6bc4632abfc61e9ac3fb0a011b7eef5b&tag=msncahydra-20&ref=pd_sl_4hs3yt4lc_e


Cheers
 

[Spiel]

Thanks Smitty "jewelers/needle files sets" is exactly what I was thinking would be the best option.
I'll check out the options in the links you provided and may very well get them ordered today.   

[John]

Things of beauty Chris, as always.