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Welcome to my new Wisconsin shop! 

 

After many years I was able to put together the shop of my dreams (well almost as we always can think of a couple of other toys to add). I retired from AGCO in October and we relocated to the area of my birthplace in Sturtevant Wisconsin.  The home we chose had a 12'x20' dog kennel in the backyard and the project began. We took out the overhead door and put in a steel door and two windows along with insulation, wiring (an outlet for each tool) and a floor, walls and ceiling with lots of light. The "doghouse" also has a heater/air conditioner and a big screen tv so if I get in the doghouse I head to this one. Thanks to Ken Kloet and Harv DeYong for all their help!!

 

In addition to the shop for grinding and other dirty work, I added a clean room for leatherwork, photography and design when we finished the basement. We also added an office to do the computer and paperwork. Pictures are attached along with some of the key tools of the trade I use. 

 

 

       "The Doghouse"

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                          The Clean Room

 

 

 

 

                             The Office

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                 

 

                                  Tools of the Trade

KMG Grinder

 

This is the main workhorse in my shop. This 2HP grinder has variable speeds and a 10" contact wheel using 2x72 abrasive belts. I picked this up this spring and have been very happy with it. Below are the small wheel and flat grinding attachments.

Bader Grinder
 

This is my secondary grinder which I mainly use do small wheel work for finger grooves and handle sculpting.

Buffer/Wire Wheel

 

This is probably the most dangerous tools in my shop. The buffing wheel has sent more than one blade flying across the shop. This is only used when I can have it's undivided attention.

Drill Presses

 

I have a floor model for wood and metal and a tabletop that I mainly use to drill stitching holes in the glued sheath leather.

Variable Speed Disc Sander

 

This is my only 220 volt tool. It is used to flatten scales and bolsters. It is very effective sanding the flats on blades and cleaning up the ricasso areas.

Disc Sander for Handles

 

This sander is homemade with a drill mandrell mounted on a half HP motor. A foam backed 5" pad is locked into the mandrelll and adhesive 150 grit discs are used. It works very well for smoothing and rounding handles.

Chop Saw

 

This has replaced a lot of hacksaw work especially when cutting files to the right length.

Flat Belt Sander

 

I use this 48x6 belt sander to flatten handle scales and some initial flat blade grinding.

Band Saws

 

I have two band saws. The old Beaver is one I purchased for $25 and after some refurbishing does a great job making straight cuts on lumber and burls. The Omega is used for curve and finer cuts on handle material. Both do well with softer metals.

Forge and Anvil

 

Blacksmithing 101

Raw Materials

 

This is just a small part of the materials I have on hand. I have over 50 types of wood plus ivory, stag, shell, bone and man made material. You can also see some of the files & rasps waiting to come back to life as knives.

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