Colt W Knight Report post Posted May 8, 2016 I needed some bevelers and a lifter, but I wasn't too enthusiastic about the 25-35$ price tag on quality tools. Picked up some 1/4" SS bolts and made a beveler. It worked better than my Crafttool beveler, so I made a set of 3. Then someone asked me to make some oak leaves and I made a lifter from a 3/8" hardened bolt used for electric poles. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Big Sioux Saddlery Report post Posted May 8, 2016 Wow, looks like you did a really nice job on the tools! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Colt W Knight Report post Posted May 8, 2016 I want to make a set of checkered bevelers, steep angle bevelers, and some more undercut bevelers and lifting tools. Just need to order some more SS bolts. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Colt W Knight Report post Posted May 8, 2016 1 hour ago, Big Sioux Saddlery said: Wow, looks like you did a really nice job on the tools! Thanks, I am excited to try to attempt to make some more tools. 1 hour ago, Big Sioux Saddlery said: Wow, looks like you did a really nice job on the tools! Thanks, I am excited to try to attempt to make some more tools. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TwinOaks Report post Posted May 9, 2016 Those look great! I did the same thing with some SS bolts I got from Lowe's, except I butchered the steep beveller (badly). I'm in sorta the same place with the ones I made - I want to make some lined & checkered tools...I'm just trying to decide which LPI checkering file I need to get. Anyone have a suggestion? 50LPI, 75LPI? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ofastauto Report post Posted May 9, 2016 Now! Your craftsmanship is "handmade" ! Congrats Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Colt W Knight Report post Posted May 9, 2016 12 hours ago, ofastauto said: Now! Your craftsmanship is "handmade" ! Congrats Thanks, but I used power tools to make the stamps. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bob21804 Report post Posted May 9, 2016 Very impressive! Self sufficiency is definitely a good thing. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
silverwingit Report post Posted May 9, 2016 The look superb, Colt! Big time kudos! The only change I might make if I were so skilled would be to use longer bolts so I could avoid the threads for a more user- and maul-friendly top end. Could you share a little more about what power tools you used and how you used them? Thanks, Michelle Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Colt W Knight Report post Posted May 9, 2016 The end of the bolts are crowned and dressed, so I am not sure how it is any different for the maul than removing them all together. I left the threads to provide grip so the tool doesnt slip from my hand. I keep my index finger there. If I had a lathe, I would knurl the shank. Bolts are rough ground on an 8" bench grinder. Final shaping and dressing is done on a 1 " belt sander, and then the ends are buffed to a mirror polish on an 8" buffing wheel. Bolts are kept cool by dipping in water frequently. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JMWendt Report post Posted May 9, 2016 Those are really nice. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
electrathon Report post Posted May 9, 2016 19 hours ago, TwinOaks said: Those look great! I did the same thing with some SS bolts I got from Lowe's, except I butchered the steep beveller (badly). I'm in sorta the same place with the ones I made - I want to make some lined & checkered tools...I'm just trying to decide which LPI checkering file I need to get. Anyone have a suggestion? 50LPI, 75LPI? Memory says about 30 LPI. Too fine and they loose crispness on the leather. On 5/8/2016 at 11:28 AM, Colt W Knight said: I needed some bevelers and a lifter, but I wasn't too enthusiastic about the 25-35$ price tag on quality tools. Picked up some 1/4" SS bolts and made a beveler. It worked better than my Crafttool beveler, so I made a set of 3. Then someone asked me to make some oak leaves and I made a lifter from a 3/8" hardened bolt used for electric poles. Nice job. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Colt W Knight Report post Posted May 9, 2016 1 hour ago, JMWendt said: Those are really nice. THanks 1 hour ago, electrathon said: Memory says about 30 LPI. Too fine and they loose crispness on the leather. Nice job. THanks Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TwinOaks Report post Posted May 10, 2016 Thank you! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Colt W Knight Report post Posted May 10, 2016 (edited) After watching some gunsmithing videos, 30 LPI seems extreme for bevelers. That would be more like a back grounding tool. I am going to order 50 LPI checkering file. Edited May 10, 2016 by Colt W Knight Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Primosand Report post Posted May 10, 2016 nice work Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rawcustom Report post Posted May 10, 2016 Very nice! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Colt W Knight Report post Posted May 10, 2016 Thanks yall Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Frederiek Report post Posted May 12, 2016 Superb, great idea but perfect execution! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Colt W Knight Report post Posted May 13, 2016 On 5/12/2016 at 7:51 AM, Frederiek said: Superb, great idea but perfect execution! THanks Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites