DIY BLADE QUESTION

[marksman_dd]

I am searching in the market for other options, one is fiberglass resin, will have to work out,whether will work properly for micarta..

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[caracass77]

Won't the blade shatter at a reasonably hard impact after ONLY heat treatment? Very curious!

[essdee1972]

Araldite is a little tough to spread out evenly. Is there some other sort of epoxy that is more liquidy to use. Even though it may take much longer to dry.

There are other industrial resins available, but Araldite being the easiest to obtain (hardware shop 5 minutes walk away) I haven't really researched the others. What I do is spread the Araldite with an icecream stick (I got a bunch from a stationery shop for Junior's school crafts), rather roughly. Once you vice or clamp the prepared piece, the Araldite will normally soak through the fibres and also spread across the surfaces.

My problem is that since I have used only old clothes, and my tailoring skills are limited to sewing buttons, I can't get uniform pieces of cloth. Which means that I have to make micarta quite a bit larger than the finished size of the handle I need.

Won't the blade shatter at a reasonably hard impact after ONLY heat treatment? Very curious!

Heat Treatment of steels consists of annealing, hardening, and tempering. Once the piece is properly tempered, it should not be so brittle. If the tempering is skipped, then you might as well use a piece of glass!

Also, if you are using the knife at very cold temperatures (close to zero celsius or below), some steels undergo what is known as a ductile-to-brittle transition, which causes the steel to shatter with impact. Most steels used for knives today are not susceptible to this, but just FYI. The Titanic, reportedly, sank due to this property!

[aadhaulya]

EssDee,

Thanks for a very informative post. I have an Idea on how to fabricate my own press for micarta, but would like an idea of what/ others are doing it in India. As the tools and equipment on youtube is not easily available here.

Atul

[brihacharan]

EssDee,

Thanks for a very informative post. I have an Idea on how to fabricate my own press for micarta, but would like an idea of what/ others are doing it in India. As the tools and equipment on youtube is not easily available here.
Atul

No big deal Atul!
Both Pratik & AD have successfully done it.....suggest you speak to them.....
Where there's a will --- there's always a WAY!!!!!
Briha

[marksman_dd]

In youtube, the tools that are seen are a highend tools used by pros, micarta,or knife blade can be made from normal tools and limited resources,
I remember a video of removing black coating from knife blade using chemicals, paint strippers etc. And guys talking it's a delicate process, takes quite a lot time to strip the paint feom the blade,
Yesterday i used my paper cutter, along with my wood carving chesil, to peel off the coating from my recon knife, took just 15 minutes, without any problem

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Added in 2 minutes 41 seconds:
Coming sunday,i am preparing for a knife, just using normal tools, will be posting the updates, the tools used and the blade..

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[marksman_dd]

Coming sunday,i am preparing for a knife, just using normal tools, will be posting the updates, the tools used and the blade..

Sent from my E6553

[aadhaulya]

Coming sunday,i am preparing for a knife, just using normal tools, will be posting the updates, the tools used and the blade..

Sent from my E6553

Would love to see the photographs of the tools and fixtures that you use.

Atul

[pratik_mahale]

Yes Araldite is very thick but still it is manageable one more problem with Araldite is its yellowish colour change the original colour of the fabric we are using for making micarta.
I am also searching colour less fiberglass resin only problem with those industrial resins is you have to buy it in bigger volume

Mix micarta.jpg

This is done yesterday I used black & military green fabric
Cut them in to small pieces then mix it with araldite & finally press them in my DIY press

Press.jpg

[brihacharan]

Yes Araldite is very thick but still it is manageable one more problem with Araldite is its yellowish colour change the original colour of the fabric we are using for making micarta.
I am also searching colour less fiberglass resin only problem with those industrial resins is you have to buy it in bigger volume

Mix micarta.jpg

This is done yesterday I used black & military green fabric
Cut them in to small pieces then mix it with araldite & finally press them in my DIY press

Press.jpg

Good innovation re: your DIY Press!!!!
Briha

Added in 1 hour 1 minute 42 seconds:
Here are a couple of images of "Micarta" sheets showing the different colors available....
Believe these can be ordered on-line....
Wonder how they manage to get such even tones.....possibly using colorless epoxy solutions!!!!


Briha

Added in 12 minutes 21 seconds:
Micarta Sheet For Knife Handle - Alibaba.com
http://www.alibaba.com › Products › Tools › Hand Tools › Knife
FOB Price: Get Latest Price ... Canvas Micarta Sheet for Knife Handle, Available in different colors!
Briha

[aadhaulya]

Yes Araldite is very thick but still it is manageable one more problem with Araldite is its yellowish colour change the original colour of the fabric we are using for making micarta.
I am also searching colour less fiberglass resin only problem with those industrial resins is you have to buy it in bigger volume

Mix micarta.jpg

This is done yesterday I used black & military green fabric
Cut them in to small pieces then mix it with araldite & finally press them in my DIY press

Press.jpg

Good looking press for a DIY project. Can you please share the aprox. dimensions of the press.

Atul

[pratik_mahale]

Yes Araldite is very thick but still it is manageable one more problem with Araldite is its yellowish colour change the original colour of the fabric we are using for making micarta.
I am also searching colour less fiberglass resin only problem with those industrial resins is you have to buy it in bigger volume

Mix micarta.jpg

This is done yesterday I used black & military green fabric
Cut them in to small pieces then mix it with araldite & finally press them in my DIY press

Press.jpg

Good looking press for a DIY project. Can you please share the aprox. dimensions of the press.

Atul

It 3 X 6 inches inside
But you can make it as per your requirement

[essdee1972]

In youtube, the tools that are seen are a highend tools used by pros, micarta,or knife blade can be made from normal tools and limited resources

Indian jugaad beats everything, bro! Since we do not have Walmart or Lowes or Home Depot, we make do!

My DIY press consists of 2 pieces of plywood left over from the last time my wife thought of redecorating the home, and 2 C-clamps.

Pratik, you use normal wrenches to tighten this, cross-wise like a car wheel, I assume? Ah! I was thinking I'll get super bored on this weekend, now I know I won't!

How do you mix the pieces? By hand?

[astronomy.domaine]

I am also searching colour less fiberglass resin only problem with those industrial resins is you have to buy it in bigger volume

Pratik, there is a clear form of Areldite available in the market which is prescribed for use in joining glass and ceramic objects. i have used it in the past for other stuff but not for micarta. I believe it would do the job well. Only issues i percieve can be:
1. On drying, Its not as hard as normal areldite but hard enough for the job.
2. it stinks real bad when mixed

Do let us know if u find something better...

[pratik_mahale]

In youtube, the tools that are seen are a highend tools used by pros, micarta,or knife blade can be made from normal tools and limited resources

Indian jugaad beats everything, bro! Since we do not have Walmart or Lowes or Home Depot, we make do!

My DIY press consists of 2 pieces of plywood left over from the last time my wife thought of redecorating the home, and 2 C-clamps.

Pratik, you use normal wrenches to tighten this, cross-wise like a car wheel, I assume? Ah! I was thinking I'll get super bored on this weekend, now I know I won't!

How do you mix the pieces? By hand?

Yes by hands only no option but remember to wash your hands immediately

I am also searching colour less fiberglass resin only problem with those industrial resins is you have to buy it in bigger volume

Pratik, there is a clear form of Areldite available in the market which is prescribed for use in joining glass and ceramic objects. i have used it in the past for other stuff but not for micarta. I believe it would do the job well. Only issues i percieve can be:
1. On drying, Its not as hard as normal areldite but hard enough for the job.
2. it stinks real bad when mixed

Do let us know if u find something better...

Will definitely give you updates on this