DIY Carbide File Guide | Knife Making

Well who doesn't like carbide! Man that stuff is tough! With some scrap aluminum and a couple reasonably priced carbide inserts we're going to put together a file guide for hidden tang knife making. The file guide allows the user to square up the shoulders on the ricasso in order to get a tight guard fit. Let me know what yall think of the biuld!
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#knifemaking
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00:00 Project Overview
00:32 Build Components
01:20 Carbine Insert Issues
02:28 Cutting & Milling Aluminum
04:50 Drilling & Tapping Jaws
08:00 1st Glue Up
09:08 Square-ness Issues
09:35 Fixing Issues
11:09 Using File Guide
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The information provided on this channel is for entertainment purposes only. Any action you as the viewer takes upon the information on this channel is strictly at your own risk, and I will not be liable for any losses, damages, or personal injuries in connection with the use of this content (including injuries, damages, or losses sustained while you were trying to emulate the actions and projects on this channel). Attempting to emulate any of the actions or projects put forth by this channel should not be done without training and even then, at your own risk.

[@SpaceMonkey23101]

I really appreciate the fact that you explain details of the build, rather than simply showing the build process without any dialogue or explanation. Thanks for going to the extra trouble.

[@RedBeardOps]

Glad it was helpful!

[@DanHelfond]

I really appreciate the commitment to precision.

[@RedBeardOps]

Thank you very much Dan!

[@jimmynoname336]

Red Beard you are awesome I used one of your bevel tricks and I will work on the a set of these . Nice work and thanks for helping new guys out. It makes everything more fun to learn the many ways to make a knife that is quality. Thank You!

[@RedBeardOps]

Heck yeah! Thanks for the comment man!

[@Robpearceknives]

I got all my materials this last week and will be making one after church today. Thank you for the video James! 👊🏻🇺🇸

[@RedBeardOps]

Good luck sir! I'd advise sinking the inserts into the aluminum some for support

[@bhein67]

Excellent work! That looks like a super handy fixture. Cheers from Canada

[@RedBeardOps]

So far so good! we'll see how long it lasts. Have fun up there in the north! Cheers from Texas!

[@watermain48]

That was a great build, thanks for sharing it.

[@RedBeardOps]

Thanks Bill, glad you liked it!

[@ClenioBuilder]

A great ideia for a low cost. Thanks for sharing!

[@RedBeardOps]

Thank you Clenio! Glad you liked it

[@MtnLife-sv9fu]

Great video, thanks for the demo. Keep on keepin on...

[@RedBeardOps]

Thank you sir!

[@hd.industrial]

Nice build.Simple and efficient good job.

[@RedBeardOps]

Thank you sir!

[@sudo_nym]

Awesome job, James! An idea I might copy, too. 🇬🇧🤜⚡️🤛🇺🇸

[@RedBeardOps]

Thank you very much sir!

[@madeindenmark953]

High level as always 👍 Thank you for sharing

[@RedBeardOps]

Thank you very much!

[@ffbrn]

Very methodical. Good job sir!

[@RedBeardOps]

Thank you very much sir! Happy to hear you enjoyed it.

[@waynewalker315]

Very cool build James. I love my Bill Behnke file guide, but didn't love the $150 bucks! I have been contemplating making another one, but lacked the motivation, even though I really need to as the carbide (believe it or not) has began to show wear. Thanks to your video and links, I can order and build a new file guide for pennies compared to ordering a new one. Thanks!

[@RedBeardOps]

Thanks Wayne! I've heard great things about Bill's guides! I know that Kyle Royer re-surfaces his carbide file guide with his stone wheel on the surface grinder... I'm not sure how long that takes him to do, but I guess it's good to know that it's possible! I wish I had a way to do this operation....

[@Stillpoint23]

This guide is pretty darn sweet, on my must make list :)

[@RedBeardOps]

It gets the job done! Not as fancy as the store bought

[@MySickstring]

Nice work, as usual

[@RedBeardOps]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@jwcaz59]

With the access to the mill pocket the carbide inserts, just a thought. Great job!

[@RedBeardOps]

Thank you Jim! I think you're right. Would of been better.

[@jwcaz59]

I be made them out of SS with out carbide , I have no mill. SS because I can dip in water and no rust like aluminum. Might order carbide from your source and grind a place to put them on. Keep doing the videos.

[@dmitryk754]

You are a perfectionist, Sir!

[@RedBeardOps]

Thank you very much! Have a great weekend!

[@NOFX0890]

Nice build Red! I use green silicone carbide wheels to put an edge on tungsten carbide tools....

[@RedBeardOps]

NICE

[@micah7222]

I just tried to order the carbide from MSC but shipping was $12.99 so I ordered the same carbide from Progressive Industries and shipping was free. I did pay $1.39 per piece more through Progressive. Thanks for the video. I’ll be trying my own based off that design when the carbide arrives.

[@RedBeardOps]

Good luck! Cheers

[@bobpharris6179]

Another good share. Thanks a lot!

[@RedBeardOps]

Thanks Bob! Have a great weekend!

[@NRiggiKnives]

Great build as always James. Indedpensible tool for the knifemaker. I have 2 that I bought and use them all the time.

[@RedBeardOps]

Thanks Nick! I've never used Carbide before... this stuff is amazing.

[@michaeldowney6533]

I really enjoy your videos as I'm started to venture into making knives myself. My reason for commenting though is to give you a tip on rigidity when milling, you're endmill is sticking out a lot further than it needs to be along with being quite long in general. To combat chatter and increase rigidity you need to run the shortest endmill you can. Also, a larger diameter endmill would help if you have one i.e. .750 diameter rather than .5 Keep up the great worn though and I'll definitely continue watching you as I learn!

[@RedBeardOps]

Thank you very much Michael!

[@adamg1408]

Get a tramming set for your mill. I have one that has three positions for the indicators, so you can adjust for your vise size. Then tram your column to the bed of your vise. Apply shim stock as needed to get it trammed. I did this with my Grizzly G0761 mill and Shars 6"x7.48" vise (6" wide, 7.48" opening) and got it dead on with some shim stock. I got a packet of shim stock in different thicknesses from Amazon (before the insanity started) and have plenty left over. If I was to mount something directly on the table, I might shim that as needed to. Also, a set of DROs would make your life a LOT easier. I picked up a set from DRO Pro's (veteran owned/operated company out in Cali) that use magnetic scales. They are VERY small in dimension, so work very well with smaller (not full size/knee) mills. You just have to make the mounting hardware for the read heads as your first project. Once installed (properly) they make repeating steps easy. You can then use an edge finder to get your 0 position and simply machine to the same spot. It also helps to get a vise stop so that you can properly index pieces of the same dimension for this. There are several flavors of those available. Ranging from dirt cheap, to costing a bit. For the placement of the carbide pieces, If you machine a relief in the aluminum that includes your spacing (offset) it would make positioning easier. Have it offset a couple of thousandths so that you have the desired gap and you would be GTG. There's a couple of ways to do that (that I can think of right now). I would machine to no more than 1/2 the thickness of the carbide pieces, so they are still proud of the aluminum, Also, holding both sides (aluminum pieces) together in the vise would ensure that your holes are in the exact same position. Use your parallels to ensure you're not drilling into your bed vise. BTW, I'm not a machinist by any measure. I do this type of thing as a hobby (I have a full time job). ;)

[@RedBeardOps]

Hey Adam, thanks for taking the time to write up your comment. I'm going to have to try some of your suggestions for sure! I have very little experience with the mill.

[@larrypeterson4945]

If I May, Great build. I, like many others prefer the o-1 tool steel better than aluminum. I have not had really good luck with steel bolts in aluminum threaded holes. In addition, I had a problem with the "hard plate" surfaces coming unglued after the guide gets hot and dunked in the cooling bucket several times. I pretty well solved this problem by using my marking rig to etch multi floral patterns into the carbide plates ans some on the matching side of the clamp. I tried several epoxys' but settled on T-111, available on Amazon. After 50 - 75 blades later they are still in place. This is wonderful clamp to use before and after heat treating. I hope this has been helpful and I also hope that I have not came across as a "know-it-all". I wish you well, LP

[@RedBeardOps]

Thank you for your notes Larry! I'm curious to see how thing file guide holds up. The epoxy I used the second time around was Combat Abrasives Rouge Epoxy... Time will tell. Have a great weekend!

[@larryohara6513]

Impressive!

[@RedBeardOps]

Thanks!

[@rickodonnell2243]

Thats alot of work.

[@RedBeardOps]

Sure was, lol

[@athrunzala5337]

I like your filming skills, this is crucial for an educational video >> I hope you make less skipped steps because your projects are interesting edit: you can get a small diamond cup and you can grind the carbide flat using your endmill

[@RedBeardOps]

Thanks for the tip Athrun. I need to look into one of those!

[@athrunzala5337]

@@RedBeardOps something like that, they're inexpensive if you get them from china. this one is in the US www.ebay.com/itm/Diamond-Grinding-Cup-Wheel-4-Inch/232663938100?hash=item362bd9f434:g:0IgAAOSwG9VdBBIM

[@joetheblacksmith8071]

Hell yeah!

[@RedBeardOps]

Thanks Joe!

[@Moto_rescue113]

I like your style

[@RedBeardOps]

Much appreciated!!

[@PhoenixIronworksNS]

Nice file guide! I like using JB weld instead of epoxy because it holds up to heat better than epoxy, other than that looks awesome!

[@RedBeardOps]

Thank you!!

[@Rsama60]

Nice fileguides. I am planning to make a set for myself. But I think you had the wrong order of operation. Glue the carbide first, with this the glue gap would not matter. Then algin the fileguide that the carbide surfaces are true and flat to each other (check with your square) on the granite plate for example. Clamp then with cant clamps. Then drill the holes for the srews and tab them. Srew the fileguides together this time with the screws. Of course align them flat and true again on the granite plate, check with yout square of course. Last drill (and ream if you have a reamer) the holes for the pins.

[@RedBeardOps]

Hey Roland, that's excellent. I 100% agree that would be better. Getting them even was a challenge and the glue threw in some variability.. I've considered getting a diamond impregnated cup for my mill.... to surface the top of these inserts.

[@franotoole2702]

Very nice little project. I would have used stainless instead of aluminium tho as theres too much give with aluminium and those holes will wear out in no time. Definately like the carbide replaceable strips tho, makes life easier not having to remak the guide over and over again. I think you can even get pre drilled ones with countersunk holes too.

[@RedBeardOps]

Cheers Fran, SS would be nice. Have a great weekend! Thanks for your comment

[@MrSoloun]

Good build, very handy tool to have. Are the guide pins just loose? I thought you might glue them or fix them in one side so they don't fall out?

[@RedBeardOps]

That is a great idea sir! In theory they're supposed to be a really tight friction fit. I think I got a little carried away taking them down to get them in the holes. A proper 0.2500'' reamer and hardened 0.2500'' pins would probably be the best answer...

[@lloydrmc]

Funny - just as I was considering suggesting a reamer bit, you talked about it yourself. With as many precise .250 holes as you require for your work, it might make sense to get one yourself, especially given that you have a milling machine, (which, one presumes, has less runout than a drill press). That way, you wouldn't have to resort to doing things like fabricating tapered pins, like you did on another build.

[@RedBeardOps]

I love it, thanks for the tip/idea

[@tectalabyss]

Liked,shared. All my best.

[@RedBeardOps]

Much appreciated! Thanks Bobby!

[@DNSforge]

Machinist here. For what you were doing absolutely. Personally though I would’ve tried to get it perfect

[@RedBeardOps]

Yeah, I should of recessed the carbide into the tool. I really wish the carbide came more uniform from the supplier.

[@firemansteve829]

Do you have any kind of engineering background or do you just figure out this stuff on the fly? Your attention to detail is second to none. Great work!!!

[@RedBeardOps]

Thank you very much Steve. I am an engineer by trade, but to be honest the "schooling" I got at my father's mechanic shop growing up was probably more valuable for these projects! Have a great weekend!

[@SwitchbackXThunter]

I noticed your milling machine. Can you give any recommendations as to what would be a good hobby level milling setup?

[@RedBeardOps]

For sure. Check out the into of this video and I talk a little about your options. There are links in the description of this video that will give you my recommendation - kzbin.info/www/bejne/jIm5npp8o9eYY6s

[@SwitchbackXThunter]

Red Beard Ops thanks will do! I’m laying in bed suffering from a case of counting sheep. I’m gonna watch it now. Thank you

[@trapito2005]

Hello. What is the name of the bucket to make holes and where can i get one? Thank you very much, the channel is incredible!!!!

[@RedBeardOps]

Hey Daniel, what do you mean by "bucket?"

[@trapito2005]

@@RedBeardOps at minute 4:30 you use a cube, with 12 holes per side, and then to support the piece to make holes, Thank you! (sorry, my english is very poor)

[@RedBeardOps]

@@trapito2005 These are the ones I use - amzn.to/3MHFTCd

[@thefamily_ak1863]

Did u make a video on ur waterfall platen?

[@RedBeardOps]

Sorry sir, the best I have is this - kzbin.infoI-OQov43drw

[@Calkidd]

James, I am surprised you didn't mill a channel for the carbide blanks to sit in to. This way you wouldn't have had to fidget with the CR blanks.

[@RedBeardOps]

Yep, that would be a better solution for sure! Way stronger too.

[@Moto_rescue113]

Keep safe always red beard

[@RedBeardOps]

Thank you sir! You too!

[@berlinetta350]

Nice build! Idk if it will matter or not but maybe it would've aided in adhesion if you roughed up the aluminum with a file or something.

[@RedBeardOps]

It could! The machined finish wasn't super smooth so I think that may help. Thanks for watching man! Have a great day!

[@MrArnoroots]

hi ! where can i buy the file at 12:20 ? i love it !! thanks from France .

[@RedBeardOps]

Right here - Cheers sir! Checkering File - amzn.to/3bg2iER

[@MrArnoroots]

@@RedBeardOps thanks a lot , that's will help me a lot !!!!!!!!

[@TheMotownPhilly]

Too mich work for me. As soon as I seen you sanding the carbide I knew I was out. I'll buy one. Good video just the same.

[@RedBeardOps]

LOL, I feel you Phillip!

[@miket5620]

Do you have any trouble keeping the carbide on? I have two bill bienke file guides and can only get one knife out of them before the carbide pops off. I don’t over heat or over torque, and when I repair them I go through the same steps and use the same glue you did in this video. I have about given up on them.

[@RedBeardOps]

Man, they've done a decent job, but when using with the grinder I popped one off. I think it's best if they were recessed into the aluminum. I'll probably end up buying a nice one...

[@GlockmanGG]

👍

[@benneisam]

A year since you made this video, I hope that you have got a flycutter for your mill since then. Ha. Thanks for the ideas. I'm going to make one.

[@RedBeardOps]

I have! Cheers sir!

[@mustafadiwan10]

What is the last file you used to make those groves?

[@RedBeardOps]

Cheers sir! Checkering File - amzn.to/3bg2iER

[@thefamily_ak1863]

I wanna make one know , thx

[@RedBeardOps]

Lol, nice man! Good luck!

[@Bzzzz1977]

Good job. But just try to make it out of carbon steel instead of aluminum and to braze these carbide inserts instead of glueing. I dont't think glue is strong enough for these purpose. It can be overheated while grinding. The expansion coefficient of aluminum and carbide is different and, when heated, may cause delamination of the adhesive. Greets from Russia! :)

[@RedBeardOps]

Thanks for the tips sir! We will find out how it lasts. I'm not expecting the system to get that hot really. Greetings from Texas! Have a great weekend

[@DeLu7759]

Hey bro, what part of Texas are you from???

[@DeLu7759]

I am in the Beaumont area...

[@RedBeardOps]

West Texas Oil Field. Cheers man.

[@DeLu7759]

@@RedBeardOps I actually grew up in Muleshoe Tx, heard of it

[@RabbitMangoTurnip]

Like the build but all the precision went out the window with the glue, not that I’d do any better myself. Thanks for all the good info.

[@RedBeardOps]

Thanks Troy, that may be why it took two runs to get it right. 😂

[@RabbitMangoTurnip]

Red Beard Ops - I was like, ope, glue. There he goes taking it off, good for him. Ope, back to glue... :)

[@RedBeardOps]

@@RabbitMangoTurnip LOL, do you have any suggestions for if I do it again?

[@RabbitMangoTurnip]

Red Beard Ops - I’d start with a flat block, drill, then split the block and flatten the two cut sides on the mill, tap the one side and glue on the strips. I’ve been trying to think of some kind way to clamp the strips but the jig gets really big and you have to custom fit little single screw hold downs on each side.

[@jeffjones3246]

What keeps the pins from falling out? Is it just a tight fit

[@RedBeardOps]

Hey Jeff, that's correct. The right way to do it is to use a reamer

[@jeffjones3246]

I want to thank you for all that you do, not only is your work amazing but I really appreciate the humble and refreshing way you face mistakes and new challenges.thank you so much,

[@RedBeardOps]

@@jeffjones3246 Thanks Jeff! Cheers

[@Val_knife]

I Make my form a Hss Steel But is so Hard And Good For knfie make

[@RedBeardOps]

Awesome man!

[@hughbuchanan9048]

Two hours just to flatten the inserts? That time pays for the purchase of a carbide file guide from somebody like Jantz. Nevertheless, great craftsmanship, as usual. Thanks for the videos.

[@RedBeardOps]

I feel you Hugh... I was expecting the inserts to come flatt(er)... maybe I got a bad pair

[@joshyingling]

I was thinking the same thing. Or it doesn't matter that much when it translates into your knife making work. When I built aircraft, 5 thou was important but not sure if it's that crucial to tang fit up. It does help you sleep at night though, knowing things are square and true.

[@mrlikwid100]

Cant help but not ask did you or do you work as a machinist?You seem like you know your stuff

[@RedBeardOps]

Nope! Just learning over here. Thank you sir!

[@waltersmith4743]

i think i need to make theses...walter

[@RedBeardOps]

Good luck with your build!

[@mauricefrancis4078]

Hi, do you sell the guides

[@RedBeardOps]

I do not. Sorry sir

[@erlanebabur4008]

It is better if you started with surfacing one face of each plate, all the drilling and pins, then you can surface and square the other faces of the block assembled.

[@RedBeardOps]

Good tip!

[@willemjordaan4008]

How can i get some carbide strips to south africa

[@RedBeardOps]

Hey Willem, sorry sir, I don't know.

[@willemjordaan4008]

@@RedBeardOps Thanks i did fined some here and thank for all the tips let the videos come i watch all of them it help a lot 1 qest did ferro cloride work on stainless steel 😎

[@willemjordaan4008]

No problem thanks

[@anthonystrunk5360]

I did the same with mine but I used hardened O1 for the body.. the carbide still breaks off.. if I were you with that mill l'd mill a slot for the carbide.. just my opinion.. nice video

[@DanHelfond]

That was my thought too, mill the slots.

[@RedBeardOps]

Thanks guys. Yea I guess I got a little lazy with that part.

[@anthonystrunk5360]

@@RedBeardOps I would describe you alot of ways but lazy definitely isn't one of them..lol..

[@10ss232]

What kind of file? 12:25?

[@RedBeardOps]

Hey Rashid, it's a checkering file. Check out the links in the description of this video - kzbin.info/www/bejne/pJyap6hoh76rrKs

[@PashkaTLT]

I wonder if I could just cut a file in half and use 2 halves to make this file guide, without adding carbide blanks, because the file is already pretty hard. This would have been much easier.

[@RedBeardOps]

Hey Pavel, hardened steel would also work; just wouldn't last as long likely. Good luck with your build!

[@kamjab3216]

S'il vous plait monsieur red beard pourquoi cet plaquettes en carbure et merci.

[@RedBeardOps]

Le carbure est si dur que votre broyeur ne le blessera pas. Liens dans la description pour les États-Unis

[@travissmith7100]

If you have sharpened your drills and they are not centered perfect it will always drill drill

[@RedBeardOps]

Thanks for the tips Travis

[@apl949]

Super redhead))).

[@RedBeardOps]

Thank you sir!

[@lmccampbell]

i know its suppose to be diy though if you are looking to make a file guide and dont already have all these tools just buy the file guide otherwise just harden some steel and and clamp em together.

[@RedBeardOps]

That will work as well!

[@lmccampbell]

@@RedBeardOps making a diy video with as basic as tool as possible would be helpful for knife makers just starting out.