http://65.96.148.142/dsc01136.jpg

this will help alot....made it tonite....used a metal file, brass plumbing joint and some beech for the handle,,,she cut's like a dream,,good steel in those file's.

You make mcgyver look like an amateur.... :kewl:

Rig it up, that thing would cast like a mutha :bounce:

-spence

OK, nice Steve but when you gonna make me one? :D I can make the handle :hihi:

seriously, trade a tiger maybe

:kewl: I have a few my Grandfather gave me without handles. Would be nice to turn some handles as nice as that someday:hihi: No steel like old steel.

:D

always thinking CS....
Holds an edge too, I bet...


that beech turns up real nice, don't it :uhuh:

OK, nice Steve but when you gonna make me one? :D I can make the handle :hihi:

seriously, trade a tiger maybe

:think: maybe Steve will give you his other one....:D

fat chance.....I got a few more in mind :think: ....only takes about an hour an half start ta finish.

Karl.... :hee: ..had a nice burly cherry handle done till it split on the last blow with the hamma puttin the blade in....beech worked well.

1. take a flat metal file and cut it down to about 6" long, not encluding the point.
2. lay the file flat on your work bench...take a belt sander to the cutting ridges on both sides to smooth out .
3. ground to a half round on the nose of the file.
4.drill a hole in the end of your handle about the length of the point on the file.then drill another hole at an angle on both sides of the middle hole.
5.take the file and squeeze it in a vise...place the handle onto the point of the file and bang away[softly] till it bottoms out.
6. all done..bob's your uncle.

Nice CS
Some of the old tools I got from my Dad were files made into lathe tools. I found taking off the filing edge helps just keeep in mind future sharpenings. You can make a couple more shapes too.

.....rummaging through file drawer..... note to self, find OLD files at yard sales.
Great idea CS. Wouldn't have thought of that in a zillion moons. What wheel did you use to grind to half round?

started out with the old grey grind it off quick wheel first, then went on to the white wheel....cooling it off often in water...don't like water use oil for better tempering of the steel.

Never thought of cutting the teeth off with the belt sander. Files do make nice lathe tools.

Capesams did you draw it down at all to remove some of the brittleness? I think I read about doing that some where, but never tried it.

If you want to draw the hardness back a bit (to remove some of the brittleness).
Heat the oven to 350 degrees. Heat the file in the oven for 30 mins/ or so. Let the oven cool down with the file it it. This will normalize the steel as well.

great tip Steve ,, thanks

when I grind anything..I don't even give it a chance to get warm,,,you could cool it off with your tongue.