mmason Report post Posted April 29, 2020 (edited) HI, I made a swivel knife on a mini lathe I bought a long time ago. It need a better finish but I am happy with how it turned out and works. I have some aluminum lying around I want to try this on, any suggestions? -Matt Edited April 29, 2020 by mmason Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chuck123wapati Report post Posted April 29, 2020 14 minutes ago, mmason said: HI, I made a swivel knife on a mini lathe I bought a long time ago. It need a better finish but I am happy with how it turned out and works. I have some aluminum lying around I want to try this on, any suggestions? -Matt IMG_2687.HEIC IMG_2685.HEIC IMG_2686.HEIC Would love to see it but the format isn't a familiar one do you have pics in .jpg Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mmason Report post Posted April 29, 2020 15 minutes ago, chuck123wapati said: Would love to see it but the format isn't a familiar one do you have pics in .jpg fixed it. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chuck123wapati Report post Posted April 29, 2020 9 minutes ago, mmason said: fixed it. That is a nice job is it adjustable in length? I like the full ring seems it would provide better control. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mmason Report post Posted April 29, 2020 8 minutes ago, chuck123wapati said: That is a nice job is it adjustable in length? I like the full ring seems it would provide better control. its adjustable there is a set screw on the other side of the knife. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Scoutmom103 Report post Posted April 29, 2020 Looks good. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tugadude Report post Posted April 29, 2020 I'm constantly impressed by the various talents here on the forum. Very nice job on that! Is the one pictured made from steel? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mmason Report post Posted April 29, 2020 13 minutes ago, Tugadude said: I'm constantly impressed by the various talents here on the forum. Very nice job on that! Is the one pictured made from steel? yeah its steel, its pretty heavy which pushed me to try aluminum, Also the aluminum will cut a lot smoother. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Frodo Report post Posted April 29, 2020 (edited) i want one. Will you make me one? steel or aluminum. makes no difference to me. i will sand that dude till it is smooth as the action on my 1911 Edited April 29, 2020 by Frodo Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
blue62 Report post Posted April 29, 2020 Not a bad looking knife, the ring works well for people with hand issues, don't have to worry as much about dropping it, what did you use for a bearing under the saddle? What kind of blade is in it? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mmason Report post Posted April 29, 2020 (edited) 27 minutes ago, blue62 said: Not a bad looking knife, the ring works well for people with hand issues, don't have to worry as much about dropping it, what did you use for a bearing under the saddle? What kind of blade is in it? some mini metric sized bearing from amazon i think it was around 2.5-4mm. the blade is one I borrowed off another knife to see if it the saddle spins smooth when carving. Edited April 29, 2020 by mmason Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LumpenDoodle2 Report post Posted April 29, 2020 I think it looks fine, but IMHO aluminium is nice and light in the hand. I also have a mini lathe, but have not made a complete knife myself yet. Having small hands, and the start of arthritis in a couple of fingers, I experimented with turning a wider barrel, then refitting the finger crescent bit. Mine is made of aluminium, and I think the knurling came out not too bad for an amateur. How did you put together the swivel part, I’ve not quite worked out the design for my next complete knife. Excuse my tappy hammer. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rhale Report post Posted April 29, 2020 I have a couple leather wrangler which are aluminum, they are very light weight and take some getting use to but I think alum. Would work fine. Yours looks great, are you going to make and sell any? If so I would be interested! Thanks Rodney Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mmason Report post Posted April 29, 2020 1 hour ago, LumpenDoodle2 said: I think it looks fine, but IMHO aluminium is nice and light in the hand. I also have a mini lathe, but have not made a complete knife myself yet. Having small hands, and the start of arthritis in a couple of fingers, I experimented with turning a wider barrel, then refitting the finger crescent bit. Mine is made of aluminium, and I think the knurling came out not too bad for an amateur. How did you put together the swivel part, I’ve not quite worked out the design for my next complete knife. Excuse my tappy hammer. for the swivel I press fitted a bearing into that tube then welded the tube to the saddle( inside the loop is where I welded it, I drilled hole all the way through) then turned the inside till it was flush. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LumpenDoodle2 Report post Posted April 29, 2020 51 minutes ago, mmason said: for the swivel I press fitted a bearing into that tube then welded the tube to the saddle( inside the loop is where I welded it, I drilled hole all the way through) then turned the inside till it was flush. Many thanks, I shall give that a go. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tugadude Report post Posted April 30, 2020 3 hours ago, LumpenDoodle2 said: I think it looks fine, but IMHO aluminium is nice and light in the hand. I also have a mini lathe, but have not made a complete knife myself yet. Having small hands, and the start of arthritis in a couple of fingers, I experimented with turning a wider barrel, then refitting the finger crescent bit. Mine is made of aluminium, and I think the knurling came out not too bad for an amateur. How did you put together the swivel part, I’ve not quite worked out the design for my next complete knife. Excuse my tappy hammer. That is some work to be proud of right there. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LumpenDoodle2 Report post Posted April 30, 2020 6 minutes ago, Tugadude said: That is some work to be proud of right there. Thank you, but I hide my mistakes well. I’m planning a bit experimenting with the shape of the body, and maybe turn a few brass ones. Aluminium is easy to turn and get a good finish on a mini lathe, compared to working with steel, now that takes a bit more work, and can be a pain to get to look good. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dikman Report post Posted April 30, 2020 Very nice, both of you! Those mini lathes are very handy for doing small work. Brass will be heavier but is nice to turn and looks very nice when polished. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nrk Report post Posted May 1, 2020 On 4/29/2020 at 9:11 PM, mmason said: HI, I made a swivel knife on a mini lathe I bought a long time ago. It need a better finish but I am happy with how it turned out and works. I have some aluminum lying around I want to try this on, any suggestions? -Matt looks nice. but need several test runs by different people personally, don't think aluminium will be enough - this tool especially need to have body and weight Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites