Tactical Machete - Work in Progress
May 14, 2014 23:41:07 GMT
Post by Uncle Mack on May 14, 2014 23:41:07 GMT
For the longest time I've enjoyed the look of a few of the Zombie Tools offerings, but find their prices/wait times to be a little on the high/long side (personal opinion)... Keeping that in mind, this is my attempt to replicate their Rat Bastard machete while adding a little of my own style. I figured why make one when you can make two, and I figured the second one would make a good gift from my brother...
I bought some 5160 from a local custom leaf spring manufacturer in the metro-Detroit area. Each plate measured 3" x 24" x .265", and I paid $50 for both plates (cheaper than ordering from McMaster-Carr). The original ZT model is made from .250" so this will add a little weight to my blade.
I spent a few days playing around with SketchPad and came up with a DXF of the design. If you want the DXF, let me know and I can send it...
Given the arcs of the design and some of the larger holes in the blade/handle, I thought having the blank cut on a waterjet made sense. I found someone who was willing to cut them for $25 each, as long as I wasn't in a rush. It seemed like a decent way to spend $50 and save me a few hours holding an angle grinder.
Within 2 weeks I had my blanks... They arrived today and I love them. Again, I am so happy I decided to have them cut instead of grinding them out myself.
Yesterday I made a jig for my 1" x 30" belt sander that I'll use for the bevels... I have been practicing grinding bevels on some old files I bought from at an estate sale. I'm finally comfortable enough to start a "real" project...
I'll be posting progress pics in the next couple of days.
I bought some 5160 from a local custom leaf spring manufacturer in the metro-Detroit area. Each plate measured 3" x 24" x .265", and I paid $50 for both plates (cheaper than ordering from McMaster-Carr). The original ZT model is made from .250" so this will add a little weight to my blade.
I spent a few days playing around with SketchPad and came up with a DXF of the design. If you want the DXF, let me know and I can send it...
Given the arcs of the design and some of the larger holes in the blade/handle, I thought having the blank cut on a waterjet made sense. I found someone who was willing to cut them for $25 each, as long as I wasn't in a rush. It seemed like a decent way to spend $50 and save me a few hours holding an angle grinder.
Within 2 weeks I had my blanks... They arrived today and I love them. Again, I am so happy I decided to have them cut instead of grinding them out myself.
Yesterday I made a jig for my 1" x 30" belt sander that I'll use for the bevels... I have been practicing grinding bevels on some old files I bought from at an estate sale. I'm finally comfortable enough to start a "real" project...
I'll be posting progress pics in the next couple of days.