Stang Bladeworks
Aluminum
- Joined
- Jul 9, 2019
Hi everyone,
This is my first post on this forum. I am a hobbyist knifemaker who knows basically nothing about machining. In order to make the types of knives I want to I have acquired some simple machines. My surface grinder was purchased over a year ago from a sporting goods store who used it for gunsmithing. I am told it is a 40s vintage reid grinder. I have researched a fair amount about them but I have found that online forums are a great way to learn and get answers from real people who know their stuff. I have asked alot already on knifemaking forums but I haven't found all the answers I'm looking for.
The motor is a 3 phase 220/400V motor that was previously run single phase using capacitors to help out. I have removed the capacitors and used a vfd to run at 240V 3 phase. The motor seems to run great. My questions really lie on the maintenance of the machine. It has been recommended that I tear the machine down and clean / inspect it. So far I have removed the chuck and the top table exposing the ways used in the x axis of travel.
There are some marks but im not sure how big of a deal they are. I will include a bunch of pictures after this initial post, as soon as I figure out how. Basically I am hoping to post pics of the tear down as I go and have people provide their input on potential issues and recommendations.
I am interested in learning any best practices and proper methods to get the best result possible. Any recommendations on specific lubricants, upgrades, repairs etc are greatly appreciated. I believe that this was once an automatic machine that was converted to manual. I have had no luck finding any type of manual so far. I am more than fine with retaining the manual functionality I don't need an auto setup.
I will include pictures of all the different controls, basically I don't know what anything does other that the 3 wheels that perform the basic operations so if anyone has any insight on them im all ears.
I did have some questions about balancing the wheels. I don't think this grinder will facilitate balancing. there is a slight amount of play in the wheel when installed on the rotor. I don't think it is easily removable. It is also not tapered. I am likely not describing this properly but If anyone has any insight on balancing I would appreciate it. The consensus among other knifemakers I have asked is that balancing isn't necessary for that application. I imagine machinists feel differently.
I realize this is very open ended. I sincerely appreciate any and all responses this may garner. I don't expect information for nothing. If there is anything I can do to help im open to do so. I have made several knifemaking tutorials on different topics and im open to share them with anyone interested. I can also provide information about heat treat and general knifemaking processes. If anyone is interested in seeing my work my Instagram is @stang_bladeworks. Thanks for reading. I will post more as progress is made. Hopefully this works out because I just purchased a small mill that I also know very little about...
This is my first post on this forum. I am a hobbyist knifemaker who knows basically nothing about machining. In order to make the types of knives I want to I have acquired some simple machines. My surface grinder was purchased over a year ago from a sporting goods store who used it for gunsmithing. I am told it is a 40s vintage reid grinder. I have researched a fair amount about them but I have found that online forums are a great way to learn and get answers from real people who know their stuff. I have asked alot already on knifemaking forums but I haven't found all the answers I'm looking for.
The motor is a 3 phase 220/400V motor that was previously run single phase using capacitors to help out. I have removed the capacitors and used a vfd to run at 240V 3 phase. The motor seems to run great. My questions really lie on the maintenance of the machine. It has been recommended that I tear the machine down and clean / inspect it. So far I have removed the chuck and the top table exposing the ways used in the x axis of travel.
There are some marks but im not sure how big of a deal they are. I will include a bunch of pictures after this initial post, as soon as I figure out how. Basically I am hoping to post pics of the tear down as I go and have people provide their input on potential issues and recommendations.
I am interested in learning any best practices and proper methods to get the best result possible. Any recommendations on specific lubricants, upgrades, repairs etc are greatly appreciated. I believe that this was once an automatic machine that was converted to manual. I have had no luck finding any type of manual so far. I am more than fine with retaining the manual functionality I don't need an auto setup.
I will include pictures of all the different controls, basically I don't know what anything does other that the 3 wheels that perform the basic operations so if anyone has any insight on them im all ears.
I did have some questions about balancing the wheels. I don't think this grinder will facilitate balancing. there is a slight amount of play in the wheel when installed on the rotor. I don't think it is easily removable. It is also not tapered. I am likely not describing this properly but If anyone has any insight on balancing I would appreciate it. The consensus among other knifemakers I have asked is that balancing isn't necessary for that application. I imagine machinists feel differently.
I realize this is very open ended. I sincerely appreciate any and all responses this may garner. I don't expect information for nothing. If there is anything I can do to help im open to do so. I have made several knifemaking tutorials on different topics and im open to share them with anyone interested. I can also provide information about heat treat and general knifemaking processes. If anyone is interested in seeing my work my Instagram is @stang_bladeworks. Thanks for reading. I will post more as progress is made. Hopefully this works out because I just purchased a small mill that I also know very little about...