Or I should say, what's in the oven? :)
It's finally not as hot and humid today so I'm running the heat treat oven. Managed to scramble the last couple of days and got a lot of stuff done. In this load are a couple of Son of PryThings, some Mini Prybaby® XLs, some Prybaby® with spanner XLs, some Imps, a few Micro Bug Out Bars and a few regular Bug Out Bars, some tanto Goblins, the damascus goodies that I wrote about and photographed below and last but not least some wharncliffe Boogers. Not a particularly big load for the kiln but enough to keep me busy afterwards for quite a while.
Heat treat temperature has to go up to 1950F. and be held for approximately 30 minutes, then the pieces are removed and either press quenched between aluminum blocks or set onto thick metal plates (in the case of the Prybaby® pieces) to air quench.
I usually squeeze quite a few packets of tools into the heat treat oven, two pieces per packet. I have had as many as 90 pieces in a single load if they are small and compact. This load has 68 in all and represents more than a week of work to prepare. The packets are made of heavy stainless steel foil that has been folded and creased over a couple of times. The idea is to exclude air but at the same time not so tight as to completely remove the air space around the parts. I have found I get less scale forming if the packets are left a little on the roomy side. This will translate into less work after the heat treat to clean up the little bit of surface scale which inevitably forms to some degree. The commercial guys don't get this problem because they heat treat in a vacuum environment in their special ovens.
Once the heat cycle is complete, the pieces are pulled and they are allowed to cool down to room temperature. At the same time the oven will be cooling down and when it reaches the 650 degree range I will put everything back in for the two tempering cycles. Each cyle is 2 hours and I let the oven cool back down to room temperature in between cycles. I leave everything in the packets for tempering as that covering continues to protect against scale formation.
One exception is the damascus. It has been double wrapped with two pieces of foil, a packet within a packet. This really helps to cut down on scale and I do it on special pieces. After heat treat the packets containing the damascus pieces are put back into a cooler oven for the tempering, usually around 350F. for about an hour. Once completed I can proceed to finish sand and etch the pieces.
The other exception is with the CPM 3V tools, which are the prybars and the Imp knives. They will go through two more cycles at 950F.
After all the heat treat tasks have been completed I can move on to blasting and finishing. Then will come sheaths for the knives and cord wrap for the prytools. The spannerbabies will go back in the oven after blasting for a final heat coloring tempering cycle at the same 600F. temperature for 30 minutes or so. Then they can be tiger striped.
Wednesday, July 19, 2006
Friday, July 14, 2006
Back Up and Running
Got the controller all squared away and running. Three cheers for Rob Frink, he's just great! :) Now my grinder is making a little noise on start up that I think might be one of the bearings. Won't be too bad of a fix if it turns out to be a problem but I am headed to the hardware store for a refill on my grease gun tomorrow and hopefully a little lubrication is all it needs.
Working on another load of stuff for heat treat. Boogers of all kinds, more Mini XLs and hopefully some Imps. It's rather hot and humid in the shop right now and progress seems painfully slow but I'm determined to get a bunch done this weekend. Looks like next week will not be as productive due to some unforeseen family obligations so I have to strike while the iron (and the titanium) is hot.
Working on another load of stuff for heat treat. Boogers of all kinds, more Mini XLs and hopefully some Imps. It's rather hot and humid in the shop right now and progress seems painfully slow but I'm determined to get a bunch done this weekend. Looks like next week will not be as productive due to some unforeseen family obligations so I have to strike while the iron (and the titanium) is hot.
Wednesday, July 12, 2006
You've Got to Be Kidding Me
Those were the words that came out of my mouth followed by some choice expletives yesterday as I flipped the switch on my grinder. I have a variable speed controller for the 2 horse Leeson motor and for some reason it up and died on me just as I was about to sharpen a knife. I flipped the switch and nothing happened. No lights on the unit to indicate that it was getting power. I checked the circuit breaker, got out the multimeter and checked the outlet and it had power. So apparently it just stopped working. May have been due to a power surge or something as we were having some violent weather in the region yesterday.
Anyway, I got on the phone with Rob Frink at Beaumont Metal Works and explained the problem. For anyone who does not know, Rob is an outstanding businessman and he makes what is arguably one of the finest belt grinders that there is, the mighty KMG. Rob walked me through a few diagnostics and concluded that the problem was not something that could be determined over the phone.
The upshot is I will have the new unit overnight FedExed to me and then will send the present one in for repair. The unexpected outlay of $500 and some odd dollars was not entirely welcome but I cannot afford to be without a grinder for more than a day or two. I have a second more modest machine, a Coote that I purchased secondhand this past winter but it isn't hooked up to a motor yet. Now it looks like I will end up with a second variable speed controller so all I need for it is a motor and I will be styling with two variable speed machines! The Coote takes a smaller belt though so it is limited as far as function but still nice to have a backup machine. And worse comes to worse I can always swap controllers if need be.
Ah well, such is life. :)
Anyway, I got on the phone with Rob Frink at Beaumont Metal Works and explained the problem. For anyone who does not know, Rob is an outstanding businessman and he makes what is arguably one of the finest belt grinders that there is, the mighty KMG. Rob walked me through a few diagnostics and concluded that the problem was not something that could be determined over the phone.
The upshot is I will have the new unit overnight FedExed to me and then will send the present one in for repair. The unexpected outlay of $500 and some odd dollars was not entirely welcome but I cannot afford to be without a grinder for more than a day or two. I have a second more modest machine, a Coote that I purchased secondhand this past winter but it isn't hooked up to a motor yet. Now it looks like I will end up with a second variable speed controller so all I need for it is a motor and I will be styling with two variable speed machines! The Coote takes a smaller belt though so it is limited as far as function but still nice to have a backup machine. And worse comes to worse I can always swap controllers if need be.
Ah well, such is life. :)
Monday, July 10, 2006
Been Quiet Around Here
Hello everyone, sorry for the long absence. I've been up to my eyeballs with alligators as the saying goes. Just spent the weekend cranking out some basic stock. Mini Prybabies®, Spanners, Keytons and such. Have to cover the basics first before getting back to new knives. My plan is get my basics replenished so I can get things turned back on on the site.
I'm hoping to start some new pointy stabby things later this week. Might take off for a mid week overnight getaway with my wife up to Burlington on Tuesday but not sure yet. We'll see how we feel and how the weather is going to be. That is one of the cool things about being self employed, although I often work through the weekend I can sometimes make time when I need it.
I'm hoping to start some new pointy stabby things later this week. Might take off for a mid week overnight getaway with my wife up to Burlington on Tuesday but not sure yet. We'll see how we feel and how the weather is going to be. That is one of the cool things about being self employed, although I often work through the weekend I can sometimes make time when I need it.
Wednesday, July 05, 2006
Start at the Bottom
See the sequence of making these pieces by scrolling down the page. Then work your way back up.
What's Next?
I will continue this series in the next day or two and show how these pieces evolve. They have already come a long way but there is still tons to do on them. I have left them with a 180 grit finish which will have to be much finer. I still have to debur the edges, grind the main bevels on the Drop Point Booger and the Nano Card. The V notch has to be milled on the mini Prybaby®. I have to stamp my name and then do a final once over before they can go into heat treat. The steel is Odin's Eye Damasteel. After heat treat there will be a further cleanup process then sheath making, then etching and finally sharpening.
Ahh yes,
How about a micro kiridashi kind of thing? Back to the grinder to change the shape a bit. Then I proceed to drill my marks with a #2 combination drill/countersink to get the holes started.
Still Debating...
..what exactly to do with the piece marked with a ?. I'll figure out something. In the meantime I measure out and mark the hole locations with a nice automatic Starrett centerpunch.
Sunday, July 02, 2006
That Frightened Look
It never fails to amuse me.
I'll be lying in bed reading a book and unwinding after a long day, sipping a beer or a cup of tea when suddenly a new idea pops into my head. It might be something that I have been thinking about for weeks or even months or it may be something entirely new. Whatever it is, I usually mull it over for awhile before turning to my wife and asking, "You know what would be really cool?"
That's when it appears, that frightened look. Because she knows I'm about to come out with something that will at first sound utterly ridiculous, at least to her. She always fights me on these things. I'll explain it to her and she'll come up with 25 reasons why it sounds stupid or why it won't work. To be fair, she does occasionally murmur her approval but generally her first worry is that I'm about to spend time and money on materials and such for something that will prove to be a total dud.
I mean, she thought the Prybaby® was the dumbest idea she'd ever heard of. Who would want one of those and why on earth would they pay money for it? I'm still gloating over the crow that she continues to eat over that one.
Truth be told, I tend to enjoy these kinds of challenges. I will admit that sometimes she's right and I take her words seriously especially is she has a compelling argument against it. She has killed more than a few budding projects with her excellent powers of logic and analysis. It's usually with ideas where she has a good grasp of the issues involved. The Paint Goblet was a case in point or Catnip Cologne, two whacky ideas that might actually have worked had they not contained certain fatal flaws.
But with tool projects I am almost always the prevailer and besides, she knows that no matter what she says if I think it is worth doing I will just go ahead and do it anyway regardless of her opinion. So far I've got a pretty good track record I think...
So last night I was reading an interesting book, "American Green", about American's obsession with their lawns, when I started mulling over an old idea that keeps popping back up again. I thought about it for a few minutes, added a few new features and then came out with it. She shot it down immediately. The idea was a for a new kind of rescue tool sort of thing but she came up with some good arguments against it so I moved on to Plan B, a second and totally unrelated tool which I am not at liberty to divulge just yet. She roared with laughter at that one and shook her head instead of just arguing against it but I stubbornly stuck to my guns.
I will never admit defeat! :)
I'll be lying in bed reading a book and unwinding after a long day, sipping a beer or a cup of tea when suddenly a new idea pops into my head. It might be something that I have been thinking about for weeks or even months or it may be something entirely new. Whatever it is, I usually mull it over for awhile before turning to my wife and asking, "You know what would be really cool?"
That's when it appears, that frightened look. Because she knows I'm about to come out with something that will at first sound utterly ridiculous, at least to her. She always fights me on these things. I'll explain it to her and she'll come up with 25 reasons why it sounds stupid or why it won't work. To be fair, she does occasionally murmur her approval but generally her first worry is that I'm about to spend time and money on materials and such for something that will prove to be a total dud.
I mean, she thought the Prybaby® was the dumbest idea she'd ever heard of. Who would want one of those and why on earth would they pay money for it? I'm still gloating over the crow that she continues to eat over that one.
Truth be told, I tend to enjoy these kinds of challenges. I will admit that sometimes she's right and I take her words seriously especially is she has a compelling argument against it. She has killed more than a few budding projects with her excellent powers of logic and analysis. It's usually with ideas where she has a good grasp of the issues involved. The Paint Goblet was a case in point or Catnip Cologne, two whacky ideas that might actually have worked had they not contained certain fatal flaws.
But with tool projects I am almost always the prevailer and besides, she knows that no matter what she says if I think it is worth doing I will just go ahead and do it anyway regardless of her opinion. So far I've got a pretty good track record I think...
So last night I was reading an interesting book, "American Green", about American's obsession with their lawns, when I started mulling over an old idea that keeps popping back up again. I thought about it for a few minutes, added a few new features and then came out with it. She shot it down immediately. The idea was a for a new kind of rescue tool sort of thing but she came up with some good arguments against it so I moved on to Plan B, a second and totally unrelated tool which I am not at liberty to divulge just yet. She roared with laughter at that one and shook her head instead of just arguing against it but I stubbornly stuck to my guns.
I will never admit defeat! :)
Thursday, June 29, 2006
International Customers
Listen, I love you guys! I have a lot of overseas customers and many of you have been repeat buyers. It is VERY much appreciated and I am happy to send my tools and knives around the world.
It is with regret that I feel I must post this but lately the situation has been getting out of hand.
Look, I know you guys get shafted with import duties and luxury taxes, especially in European countries, and I can fully understand why you would want me to put down a lesser amount on the customs form. "Please make the amount under xx." I get this all the time and I really do sympathize with you. I often pay duties on items that I order from overseas too albeit at a lesser rate than what you guys are having to pay.
On the US customs form there is a line at the bottom that I must put my signature on. That means it is a LEGAL DOCUMENT. It says that the contents and value of the package are accurate and true. If I were to sign that form and put down an amount that is less than what the contents are worth then I would be breaking the law. PLEASE stop asking me to do this as I cannot and will not lie on a legal document.
If I got caught doing that I could go to jail, do you understand? Seriously. And I'm really not interested in becoming some 300 lb gorilla's "boyfriend" so you can save $20.
So have a heart will you? Let's keep me in my shop making your cool toys and not stuck in a jail cell in some federal penitentiary doing 5 years of hard time for mail fraud.
It is with regret that I feel I must post this but lately the situation has been getting out of hand.
Look, I know you guys get shafted with import duties and luxury taxes, especially in European countries, and I can fully understand why you would want me to put down a lesser amount on the customs form. "Please make the amount under xx." I get this all the time and I really do sympathize with you. I often pay duties on items that I order from overseas too albeit at a lesser rate than what you guys are having to pay.
On the US customs form there is a line at the bottom that I must put my signature on. That means it is a LEGAL DOCUMENT. It says that the contents and value of the package are accurate and true. If I were to sign that form and put down an amount that is less than what the contents are worth then I would be breaking the law. PLEASE stop asking me to do this as I cannot and will not lie on a legal document.
If I got caught doing that I could go to jail, do you understand? Seriously. And I'm really not interested in becoming some 300 lb gorilla's "boyfriend" so you can save $20.
So have a heart will you? Let's keep me in my shop making your cool toys and not stuck in a jail cell in some federal penitentiary doing 5 years of hard time for mail fraud.
Tuesday, June 27, 2006
Boogers!
The current batch of Boogers have been coming along well. Got most of them ground and sheathed and many have gone out to their new homes already. I thank everyone for their interest and the business!
Now it's going to be back to square one and having to make more. I'm gratified by the overwhelmingly positive response to the Drop Point version. I have only done three of these so far but I'm getting a bunch of folks wanting to get on the list. Looks like the next batch will have a lot of drop points in it. :)
About to start a new batch of Prybaby XLs tomorrow. Hopefully will get a dozen or so ready for heat treat.
Also in progress, two Son of PryThings, 4 full sized Bug Out Blades, Micro Bug Out Bars, Micro Card knives, basic S30v Keytons and if you are really lucky, a handful of 3 Way screwdrivers. :P
Now it's going to be back to square one and having to make more. I'm gratified by the overwhelmingly positive response to the Drop Point version. I have only done three of these so far but I'm getting a bunch of folks wanting to get on the list. Looks like the next batch will have a lot of drop points in it. :)
About to start a new batch of Prybaby XLs tomorrow. Hopefully will get a dozen or so ready for heat treat.
Also in progress, two Son of PryThings, 4 full sized Bug Out Blades, Micro Bug Out Bars, Micro Card knives, basic S30v Keytons and if you are really lucky, a handful of 3 Way screwdrivers. :P
Sunday, June 25, 2006
Saturday, June 24, 2006
It's Gonna Rain
Yep, looks like this week will be very good for production since it is supposed to rain non stop for days and days. Good thing Jenny took advantage of a moment of dry weather and cut the lawn yesterday...
So it will be Boogers today. Mostly V notch ones this batch and much of the work is already done. Just have to grind the main bevel with the cutting edge and they will be ready for blasting, satinating, sheathing and sharpening. They're so darned cute, one of my favorite little tools. I'm going to try to keep one of these for myself this time. Haha, who am I kidding? I end up with the dregs mostly. I have a Mini on my keychain that is all messed up. The whistle on my keys has a double name stamp and a dent. The Booger that I keep will be the one with the grind line that went way over the middle line, way past where the point of the V notch was.
It's better this way though since I need to keep selling the salable stuff and paying for all the endless expenses of this business. Talk about hemorraghing money, knifemaking will suck it out of your wallet like you would not believe. Consider this last week. $136 for belts, $150 for kydex and rivets, $777 for steel and $385 to MSC for gloves, end mills, abrasives, drill bits, a scotchbrite wheel and misc items. Ouch. This week will see another box of belts for about $350. Even though I am blessed to have a cousin who works for Norton and who sends me belts once in awhile for free I still end up having to shell out for more every couple of months. I'm also close to running out of black paracord so that will be another $50 for a spool.
So it will be Boogers today. Mostly V notch ones this batch and much of the work is already done. Just have to grind the main bevel with the cutting edge and they will be ready for blasting, satinating, sheathing and sharpening. They're so darned cute, one of my favorite little tools. I'm going to try to keep one of these for myself this time. Haha, who am I kidding? I end up with the dregs mostly. I have a Mini on my keychain that is all messed up. The whistle on my keys has a double name stamp and a dent. The Booger that I keep will be the one with the grind line that went way over the middle line, way past where the point of the V notch was.
It's better this way though since I need to keep selling the salable stuff and paying for all the endless expenses of this business. Talk about hemorraghing money, knifemaking will suck it out of your wallet like you would not believe. Consider this last week. $136 for belts, $150 for kydex and rivets, $777 for steel and $385 to MSC for gloves, end mills, abrasives, drill bits, a scotchbrite wheel and misc items. Ouch. This week will see another box of belts for about $350. Even though I am blessed to have a cousin who works for Norton and who sends me belts once in awhile for free I still end up having to shell out for more every couple of months. I'm also close to running out of black paracord so that will be another $50 for a spool.
Friday, June 23, 2006
Our Daily Grind
Rainy days are good for grinding. This is the conclusion I have come to after a couple of years at this. The weather is dreary outside, gray and depressing. We've had an awful lot of days like this lately and as much as I dread another day of clouds and lack of sunshine I have to admit that I usually do get a lot done.
Sunny days just beg for slacking off and heading into town for a leisurely stroll to Cafe Koko for a coffee and maybe some time wasting at the record store. Sometimes I can catch Mr Ruddick who has a watch repair shop on the second floor of a building on Main Street but he's only there on Mondays and Fridays lately. Nice to have a good watch guy so close by and I will be sad when he retires.
But rainy days, they are good for hunkering down in the shop and cranking out the goods. I'm out of a bunch of stuff again as usual. Need to make more XLs, more Keytons, more Micro Cards, more this, more that. Whistles are out of stock too. It is indeed an endless kind of thing and mind you, I am NOT complaining. Today I could make some of those things but will I?
I have about 18 Boogers going so I think I will spend some time grinding those and the 5 Imps that are already heat treated. Even if I could get only half of them ground and sheathed today I'd be doing pretty good.
Sunny days just beg for slacking off and heading into town for a leisurely stroll to Cafe Koko for a coffee and maybe some time wasting at the record store. Sometimes I can catch Mr Ruddick who has a watch repair shop on the second floor of a building on Main Street but he's only there on Mondays and Fridays lately. Nice to have a good watch guy so close by and I will be sad when he retires.
But rainy days, they are good for hunkering down in the shop and cranking out the goods. I'm out of a bunch of stuff again as usual. Need to make more XLs, more Keytons, more Micro Cards, more this, more that. Whistles are out of stock too. It is indeed an endless kind of thing and mind you, I am NOT complaining. Today I could make some of those things but will I?
I have about 18 Boogers going so I think I will spend some time grinding those and the 5 Imps that are already heat treated. Even if I could get only half of them ground and sheathed today I'd be doing pretty good.
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