Need help with: dremil bits, abrasives, handle materials.

fulloflead · Post by **fulloflead** » Thu Dec 04, 2003 4:23 am

I'm customizing a Timberline Wortac. It's one of my favorite knives for the price - great design and quality for the price. I'm going to open up the 1/8" hole from the thumb stud into a larger "D"-shaped opening hole (among lots of other things I'm going to do to it).

1. I can't find dremil bits (actually Craftsman bits in a B&D tool) perfect for the job. They're either WAY too large but cut FAIRLY well, or they're the right size and cut REALLY slow. What I (think) I really need is a dremil bit that's about 1/16th to 1/8th in diameter that's barrel shaped (flat-sided) that'll CUT LIKE CRAZY though AUS-6 so I can open up this thumb-stud hole into the "D"-shaped hole I want.

I didn't find anything like this at Sears or Home Depot even though I bought a tiny "diamond engraving" bit for $9 at Sears tonight that barely made a dent in the steel.

2. What's the coarsest solid polishing compound you can buy to use with dremil polishing wheels for polishing bead-blast blades, and where do you get it? (I'd rather have to cool the blade than use sandpaper.) I've been using blocks of white Craftsman stuff and blocks of White Diamond but they're not near abrasive enough and they make me work WAY too long and hard.

3. Where is a good place to buy slabs of nice wood for handle materials and rayskin for inserts where I can buy JUST WHAT I WANT FOR ONE PROJECT AT A TIME? (I don't want to spend $85 for a giant section of hide when I'm working on one or two knives.)

Suggestions?
I'm a beginner knife tinkerer and I appreciate help and patience from more knowledgeable and experienced craftsmen/women. Thanks.

Vagrant · Post by **Vagrant** » Thu Dec 04, 2003 6:39 am

I didn't find anything like this at Sears or Home Depot even though I bought a tiny "diamond engraving" bit for $9 at Sears tonight that barely made a dent in the steel.

Diamond tools work better on glass/stone then steel, stainless steel especially can be "smeary" and clog diamond bits. [Even worse they can get hot and have the diamond powder wear/rub off].
Carbide is your best bet. Let the tool [and the bit] do the work and don't use lots of pressure.

BennytheBlade · Post by **BennytheBlade** » Thu Dec 04, 2003 7:25 pm

Patience is a great tool in that situation also.
But Im always running out of it

Post by **tr4252** » Thu Dec 04, 2003 10:12 pm

Texas Knifemaker's Supply is a good source for tools, materials and supplies. They have a good website. Pretty good selection of buffing compounds and buffs, handle materials, etc.
TR

Jay · Post by **Jay** » Fri Dec 05, 2003 5:36 pm

3. Where is a good place to buy slabs of nice wood for handle materials and rayskin for inserts where I can buy JUST WHAT I WANT FOR ONE PROJECT AT A TIME? (I don't want to spend $85 for a giant section of hide when I'm working on one or two knives.)

Here is the url for Texas Knifemakers Supply: http://www.texasknife.com

I didn't find any small pieces of ray skin on their site but they have just about anything else you might need. I have a small piece of ray skin packed away somewhere. If I can find it I will let you know.

Vagrant · Post by **Vagrant** » Sat Dec 06, 2003 8:16 am

http://www.jantzsupply.com .
As others add more the list can become impressive.

watchdog49 · Post by **watchdog49** » Sun Dec 07, 2003 2:39 pm

Try http://www.micromark.com for dremel bits.

butch · Post by **butch** » Sun Dec 07, 2003 6:23 pm

http://www.knifekits.com
They have a good selection of handle matireal's.

Butch

Jay · Post by **Jay** » Sun Dec 07, 2003 10:55 pm

There is a small piece of ray skin listed on TKA.
http://www.theknifeauction.com/item.php?id=12057