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Home Made Carving Tool Help


Dan

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was talking to a local black smith about trading some wood turned handles for some carving tools. if i supply the metal what should i buy or "find" i know if im making lathe tools i usualy get high speed steel since it dulls slowly and it takes a alot of friction from the lathe. but since im carving not turning is that a over kill type of metal? is there any tools that i can melt down and repurpose?

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Hi Dan,

 

There have been already numerous post about this that you might find of some help. But HSS steel is the way to go. You can re-use the opposite end of a drill bit or you can use old file because of the high carbon level of those. Hope this help

 

Christophe

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hmmm i have bade a number of marking knives out of files and i have a ton of them laying around from over the years plus garage sales always are selling them i might give that a try. thanks christophe

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Reciprocating saw blades, particularly the ones marked "HCS" ie high carbon steel, work well as well.

 

wont they be too thin to cut into the wood if i just sharpened them? probably have to heat and fold them in on themselves to double or triple them to a disired thickness. thanks sebastiaan. i might save up all my dull drill bits and see if i can reshape them.

 

what about forsner bits and paddle bits?

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I got some cobolt steel drill bits from the hardware, drilled them into a graver handle I got from the jewelers supplies store. Filled the hole in the handle with glue then stuck the drill bit into the hole pointy end first...:o) Couldn't be easier. Once it's dry grind the end to your desired shape. When you have your desired shape and have it reasonably sharp, use a sharpening stone around 600 grit to get her razor sharp. Should be good for most bone and ivory.

 

Hope this helps in some way,

 

Billy

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I have used cement nails, broken files and drill bits. For small work, pieces of shaped "box cutter blades, music wire and ground sewing needles. I have even "reformed" kitchen knives. Pieces of dowels or shaped wood works well for handle's. I have some with metal handle's also. Just about anything is useful.

 

Good luck on your search.

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ill have to look into box cutter blades, have a hard time seeing how you can use music wire. except by sanding in small areas, i know they have a sand paper that is on a string that is used on spindle turning on the lathe.

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  • 2 weeks later...

Here is Aus we can get reciprocating saw blades at 2.5mm thick. That is plenty for shory bladed knives, flat chisels or scrapers. I guess the real question is what kind of tools you are making. Circular saw blades are thicker and will also make awesome blades. If you have a forge you could also make gouges.

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  • 3 weeks later...

I have a really nice wood carving knife made from a personna 8" floor scrapper blade. They can be purchased at home depot for under $10.00. I did not make this myself but as long as you do not overheat the blade I understand all you need is to shape it and sharpen it. I have brand name knives but I seem to reach for this one the most. The four inch blades are a bit too thin

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