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Post by Uncle Mack on Jan 10, 2016 22:04:44 GMT
What accessories would you recommend for the angle grinder, and where can I get them? I really need the practice, so I bought several bars of mild steel to practice grinding, before I attempt to make a blade from scratch and heat treat it You can get all the discs you need at a big box store, Harbor Freight, or your local hardware. I recommend thin cut-off discs, a few of the thicker grinding discs, and then a flap disc. Make sure you match the disc to the RPM speed of your grinder and your material (they sell discs for concrete, steel, etc). I was in the same boat as you last summer... I'm better now with my angle grinder when using it to grind in bevels, but I have a hard time using it to cut out rough shapes. I'm also lucky that I have a friend with a waterjet, so I can make a DXF file and get the shape cut out. And I know if was mentioned before, but don't underestimate the value of a file. I've learned that draw filing gets me a much better bevel than an angle grinder. Sure it takes longer, and it is monotonous, but it can also be meditative watching the metal slowly change before your eyes.
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Post by Uncle Mack on Jan 10, 2016 21:54:43 GMT
... I'm fortunate to live near Detroit with quite a few heat treat companies. I talked with a guy (he came recommended) who will run steel through the HT and temper for $1.50/lb with no minimum (and a one week turn around time). I explained the application, what steel I used and my desired hardness. He even talked about how they spot warped steel and how they address it... Thoughts on DIY vs. having it done? Can you share here or PM me the names and contacts for the few HT companies? Thanks At this time I don't know anyone that can/will HT katana sized blades in oil/water/brine. You bet! I just have to go there tomorrow. I drive by it 3x a week and stopped one day just out curiosity and asked about HT. I can't remember the name of the place. I do remember him saying they could HT up to something crazy like 60" pieces. I guess it makes sense; that is long for our needs but not for the auto industry/manufacturing.
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Post by Uncle Mack on Jan 10, 2016 2:38:37 GMT
Lots of great info here, fellas... Thank you for sharing.
I've been slowly working on a few knives and machetes, waiting until I had a batch to heat treat.
So here is my question: any downside to having the HT done for you? I'm fortunate to live near Detroit with quite a few heat treat companies. I talked with a guy (he came recommended) who will run steel through the HT and temper for $1.50/lb with no minimum (and a one week turn around time). I explained the application, what steel I used and my desired hardness. He even talked about how they spot warped steel and how they address it... Thoughts on DIY vs. having it done?
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Post by Uncle Mack on Jan 6, 2016 10:44:19 GMT
I got the "knife" donated by Digs in the mail two days ago... Holy crap! I think it is more of a short sword than a knife, but it's awesome! I'll post a few pics when I'm back home.
Thanks to Random for getting it shipped quickly!
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Post by Uncle Mack on Dec 26, 2015 4:17:41 GMT
Thanks to all those who played a role in getting this contest together... I'm honored to be a winner. Merry Christmas, everyone!
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Post by Uncle Mack on Nov 26, 2015 1:57:10 GMT
Great tutorial! Thanks for doing this!
Just replaced my bearings on my two-year old sander... Ordered the bearings online from O'Rileys Autoparts (make sure you get the $3 bearings, there is also a $12 version) and picked them up the next day.
I didn't remove the motor (too lazy) and it took me less than 15 minutes. The sander runs like new.
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Post by Uncle Mack on Nov 20, 2015 21:04:31 GMT
I'm thinking about picking up a 46" nylon 2-rifle gun case for sword storage, hoping I could fit 4 swords in it (I'll add some foam to keep everything where I want it).
Anyone else done this? Any problems/suggestions?
Thanks!
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Post by Uncle Mack on Sept 29, 2015 3:10:10 GMT
Really interested to hear how your Diphos-on-a-diet works out... Been thinking about a Xiphos.
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Post by Uncle Mack on Sept 16, 2015 13:11:06 GMT
Great collection! I keep thinking about taking the leap with a Xiphos, but can't seem to pull the trigger...
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Post by Uncle Mack on Feb 2, 2015 2:08:20 GMT
Thanks for the tip! For $6 I'll give them a try... If they don't work, I'll make a couple from steel bushings.
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Post by Uncle Mack on Feb 1, 2015 21:07:53 GMT
I've been partaking in some google-fu and can't find anyone who makes a hex nut with the right dimensions for an Atrim. I've been thinking about buying some 3/8 OD bushings and threading them myself. The end would be open, but I am going to use it with a Type-J pommel, and I can cover the end with a fake peen block. But also have a friend who runs a machine shop. He would make a few if people are interested in buying them (they wouldn't have a hex end for an allen wrench, but a slit for a screwdriver blade). I have no idea on cost at this point, but he is more than fair in his pricing.
So, three questions: 1) Anyone have a lead on the hex nuts for an Atrim? 2) If nobody can answer #1, anyone interested in ordering one of the hex nuts? The more that get ordered, the cheaper the price. 3) What material do you want them made from? Stainless steel?
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Post by Uncle Mack on Jan 31, 2015 20:28:36 GMT
Nicely done!
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Post by Uncle Mack on Jan 30, 2015 12:53:34 GMT
Matt, that pretty much echoes my sentiments. I would ultimately like to keep the sword as I do see it a good value if it were sold as advertised. I partially gauging the value off of this transaction as the seller got $300 for the same sword with two distinct nicks in it. sbg-sword-forum.forums.net/thread/40632/I will write the seller tomorrow to suggest a partial refund or open a ebay dispute against him. I will also reach out to A&A. I figure the process of shipping and repair would cost around $50 or $100. Do you think that estimate would be in the ballpark? Thanks again for all the help and advice! It's easy for me to have an opinion since it isn't my money... :-) My honest opinion, though: "If" you want to file a claim, I would keep it around $50: anything more is a little greedy (that amount will cover most of the shipping charges to A&A). At $400, you still got every penny worth of sword you paid for: solid blade, good fittings, etc. I've never handled an A&A, but have heard nothing but great things about their fit, finish, and even customer service. Heck, you've even had a few members make you offers on your sword in this thread. A small rattle doesn't frighten people here, so I bet you could list your sword for $500-$550 in the classifieds and get action on it. I'd also ask Luka what he has to trade... :-)
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Post by Uncle Mack on Jan 30, 2015 12:27:56 GMT
The problem is that you can't prove that the guard indeed was loose when the seller packed the sword. You're absolutely right... But the way eEbay and PayPal rules are written, the burden of proof falls on the seller. If you, as a buyer, get something off eBay and it isn't exactly as described when it arrives , you can file a claim. It doesn't matter what happened or how (seller didn't disclose, USPS dropped it, etc). And from personal experience, I've had people file claims for much, much less... And considering the "quick flip" of the sword from KoA to eBay, the sellers history, etc, it just seems like an odd situation.
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Post by Uncle Mack on Jan 30, 2015 0:56:50 GMT
I think it is commendable that everyone here is explaining what may have happened with the grip, and we all went to the "fix it" stage... I guess my mind went somewhere else first since eBay was brought up. My first reaction was to think of it in terms of a business transaction. I buy and sell about 25 items a month on eBay, and the days of eBay being kind of an online garage sale are long gone. Most users are incredibly savvy about their listings...
If there was any rattle whatsoever, the seller should have listed it. I would guess that the seller has some sword knowledge since A&A isn't in the top search results for "buy medieval sword" and he has listed other swords according to his feedback. I'm also going to guess that it was a "Buy It Now" auction since there was only one bid?
If it were me, here is what I would do: - In the next day or so, I would try the fixes that have been suggested... - I would concurrently call A&A to see if you can get it repaired by them and what the cost might be.
If the suggested fixes don't work, then you have a choice, starting with this: What remedy would you want? Do you want a partial refund? What amount would make you feel better? If you decide you want a partial refund, I would probably start at the cost of shipping the sword to A&A and go up from there.
I wouldn't fault you either way... You paid $400 for what is probably worth more, but you didn't get what was advertised. That would leave me feeling a little "salty" regardless of the price/value of the item.
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Post by Uncle Mack on Jan 4, 2015 0:49:35 GMT
Thanks for the tip on the price! I found quite a few different prices based on changing search terms... You posted the cheapest! Thanks again!
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Post by Uncle Mack on Jan 3, 2015 15:33:47 GMT
What seller did you buy from? The cheapest I see them for on Amazon is $70...
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Post by Uncle Mack on Jan 3, 2015 14:11:04 GMT
Great review! I've been thinking about picking up one of these, and you just sold me on it...
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Post by Uncle Mack on Jan 3, 2015 4:03:18 GMT
Great review, and I couldn't agree more! I've been using the same Spyderco Delica as my EDC for about a year. I bought mine off eBay so I paid about 1/2 retail if I remember correctly, and it was worth every penny. In the past I have carried Gerber, H&K, Kershaw and Benchmade: this has been my absolute favorite knife. A thin profile, smooth action, and no issues (and I am not gentle on my EDC by any means) in the year I've had it.
A bonus for me, and maybe it is overkill, but it has such a small profile that it leaves room in the pocket for a multitool if you want: I can carry this and my Leatherman Wave and I don't feel bogged down.
It's one of those "buy it and you'll never regret it" purchases...
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Post by Uncle Mack on Dec 25, 2014 21:32:28 GMT
I am absolutely floored... The last holiday raffle I won was about 20 years ago: It was a plastic 3ft tall candle with "NOEL" on it. This is so much better!
Thank you to all who donated (either something sharp or their time) to make this possible...
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