The World's Easiest Grinding Jig for Knife Making

[@experienceprecision5406]

My dad is a knife maker and he free hands all his blades. Drives me crazy how he does it so well. Thank you I will be building this!

[@jerod5636]

Yep. I’m a grown ass man and my dad is still far more skilled than I am in practically everything(:

[@michaelfoster7065]

I just wanted to say thank you. Thank you for all your effort all these years to bring relevant helpful information to the masses about knife making and related topics. You have been there and literally ground it out all these years and didn’t have to but wanted to. Thank you so much and I Hope you never stop. You’ve been there at the beginning of my journey and I hope your there at the end. God bless you sir.

[@jonenglish6617]

When tool shops are closed on holidays, the chance of breaking a drill goes up to 92%

[@theshankman8682]

you do have a grinder to fix that

[@stephenkohl2452]

92% of the time it works everytime

[@dominic6634]

@Adrian Bowie your right i don't give a damn.. but if your hacking your girlfriends accounts you should probably break up

[@lewiswereb8994]

Buy a couple spares at the same time.

[@WannabeWoodsman]

This is a fact rooted is science and logic

[@Woodzy-5326]

I made a jig exactly like this before watching this video. It was built solely on intuition and educated guesses. Thank you for breaking down the why in more intelligible terms. Keep the content coming

[@daveh777]

Made a lot of knives using these jigs now. I found that adding some weight to the jig makes it work better. A simple binder clip holds the workpiece on there just fine.

[@poolman9401]

Walter I can not tell you how helpful you have been

[@64t120r]

One tiny addition. The spine of a knife is often curved. Where the spine hits the support screws is very important to keep the blade at the same angle from tip to tush. I made a notch in the center of my jig along the top edge of the angle so I can locate the blade properly when I flip it over to grind the second side.

[@muddbutter]

So do you mark the blade through the notch then flip it?

[@stephenkohl2452]

Put the curve in after you sharpen is an alternate option

[@thomaswildgen5659]

Can you describe further? I did make this jig, but I have difficulty getting the bevels equal on both sides, would that be the issue Im having? I see Wes Jones' remark to mark the blade as well for registration?

[@64t120r]

@@thomaswildgen5659 If your bevels are different, I would look in 3 areas. Walter uses 2 screws to set the angle of the jig. Are both those screws set at exactly the same distance out of the bottom of the jig? Is the table of your grinder at 90 degrees front to back and side to side (Of the belt)? If they aren't, adjust them and try again. The third thing is, look at your piece of angle. Sometimes they are warped or a face will be cupped. Flatten it out. Mine had the slightest bow in the face. It wasn't noticeable until I tried to grind a knife. A slight imperfection can make a major difference in your blade. Keep me posted.

[@64t120r]

@@thomaswildgen5659 Yes, registration is important. I put a notch on the top of my jig. On the blade I used Dykem (sometimes a sharpie) to mark where the blade is sitting. That way I can flip the blade, line up the marks, and it will sit at the same angle end to end. Also, I use two screws to rest the blade on. I don't have 4 like Walter has. BUT, he says, make sure they are in line with the bottom edge. That's very important.

[@RedBeardOps]

Very cool sir! I made a jig tutorial a while back with a very similar design. Still use it all the time! Thanks for showing it doesn’t take bags of money to get into knifemaking! Just some desire and ingenuity.

[@ZyloXDT]

Found you again!🤣

[@michael7324]

I will have to check it out. You also make some amazing knives.

[@marvinbrock960]

Your willingness to share the arts of metal working is awesome.. I’ve learned quite a bit over the years from watching your videos. 🇺🇸

[@althesmith]

Good idea. Some of us getting older are finding that our body parts including hands, shoulders and eyes ain't exactly aging like fine wine but turning into bad vinegar. Mechanical advantage helps.

[@jonputnam5745]

Whenever we had to tap something when I worked at the small engine shop, we would chuck the tap into a 20V Dewalt drill. Fast and easy. Used straight flute taps as well.

[@gordonhood6265]

Awesome video, Thank You. To start a tap I chuck it in my drill press and turn the chuck by hand to start the tap at 90 degrees, then finish with then handle. TY again.

[@lacanian_lifter]

Gonna make this piece today with a few small changes for someone who doesn’t have a tap for screws. Still very helpful and masterfully clear. Thanks!

[@zekeabercrombie3583]

Just made one from scrap from the shop. No cost. Works really good.

[@austinsmith9601]

I love how simple you make your videos I use them to teach me how to be a better teacher

[@glenpiro313]

As usual, Walter delivers. The Big Lebowski of Knifemakers. Excellent vid, thank you

[@firsttpt]

The increase in the percentage chance that you will need to return to Home Depot can be calculated on a table by plotting the distance you are from the store on the x-axis and the number of vital breakable parts needed to complete your project on the y-axis.

[@daveh777]

Just made one and it works as it should. This will really take my knives to the next level. Thank you!!!!

[@ifell3]

This is what everyone wanted and this is what you have given, absolutely fantastic video.

[@NMranchhand]

Good build AND theory, thanks. Since the threads you’re cutting are for adjustment or registration purposes only, and not for holding forces, I would definitely use the next-largest fractional drill size to avoid breaking the tap and to make adjustment easy. In the case of the “shelf” screws, a dab of lock tight will do ya.

[@pointersrule]

Love your videos, I've learned quite a few tricks over the last couple of years, thank you so much. I have the same sort of jig but instead of adjusting the jig with bolts, I adjust the table, seems to work great for me.

[@nicolem376]

Just ordered my spiral flute taps. Ty for this simple jig!

[@guitarzarfun]

I like the consistency a jig provides..plus time saving.

[@valclark1160]

This guy is spot on after watching this I made an exact copy and it really works thanks

[@rsv-code7004]

Love this! This jig is super simple to make, thanks for doing this video! Thinking if you have access to a welder that welding a flat piece along the bottom instead of the support screws may be easier, but maybe not as customizable or repairable.

[@RonMack07]

Amazing tip thank you, I'm going to be making my first knife soon and this jig will help.

[@smithy1578]

How did your first knife turn out?

[@wellybobs4403]

You have a great voice. Ever done voice overs....?

[@matthewhegstrom8478]

I just built one of these and it works great! Thanks again!

[@fedacapsyl5275]

молодец мастер.все просто и элементарно без всяких наворот,жму руку тебе дружище.

[@georgeyoung613]

Outstanding video. It was very well put together and the editing was right on. I found you video to be full of great information. Your video was enformitive as it was entertaining. I also very much appreciate you showing what not to do and the consequences of disregarding your warning. I look forward to goung through your video catalog. So again thank you very much for making and posting this video. Freely giving away things you have leard over your many years is beyond words. I very much appreciate you and your work. Much respect 🙏 👏

[@JohnDoe-ls2ww]

Great info. That tap wrench would drive me crazy being off center like that.

[@MSmith-jf5wo]

You can just "press-on" a Nylock nut on the square end of nearly any tap, and use a nut driver or socket wrench to drive it. The "Wiggle-Room" helps to self-center the tap, preventing breakage. I've been using this method for over 50 years, as it was taught to me by a Japanese Master Machinist/Toolmaker...! Works on 4-40 to 1/2-20 taps (2-56 taps are "Risky"!). Lol

[@bradleach4947]

Yes! I usually buy four of both! Tap and bit! Hate them unexpected trips to the depot!

[@mackenziehaines9458]

Gun taps also work great for through holes. They just have an aggressive cutting edge that turns the chips through the material instead of out the top of the hole like his spiral flute taps. They are also substantially less expensivw.

[@donaldsawyers1890]

Bees wax makes the tap work great.

[@SharpWorks]

Awesome build! I’ve been putting off making a jig for far too long.

[@rodden420]

Thank you Walter . I made one with a center adjustment and I will be remaking for two like this one. Also the suggestion for brass is a great idea. PS: I really hope to see you on FIF again. You would have nailed that final challenge.

[@ibnumude8933]

Very very simple , thanks a lot

[@royhuffman3070]

Thank you sir so much for the video I made the jig can't wait to use it

[@kurtbilinski1723]

Thanks for pointing out the issue with having two screws. Everyone seems to build them that way yet it's over-constrained. An analogy is that it's like having a four-legged table and assuming it won't rock.

[@jonenglish6617]

Mr Sorrels, I love you videos and I am learning a ton from them. In return I would like to give you a free tip. When you are drilling into steel for tapping, add .010 inch to the tap drill size, you will break a bunch less taps. Thanks for all the great information.

[@urgamecshk]

Bad advice. Rather, find a tap chart for 65% threads instead of 75%.

[@jonenglish6617]

@@urgamecshk how manty holes have you tapped?

[@urgamecshk]

@@jonenglish6617 just today 52. Probably 400 last week. How many years should I go back?

[@jonenglish6617]

@@urgamecshk try the +.01 it works very well and only reduces strength by about 3 percent.

[@urgamecshk]

@@jonenglish6617 please research more. A 0-80 screw is 0.057. The cut tap drill size is 0.046. Using your silly rule of thumb you think 0.0005 per side will hold at 97% strength? Wow you're a genius it's a wonder the entire mfg industry hasn't given you millions for their increased productivity. I bet you also tap holes 2x Dia deep because you think it's necessary 🤓

[@stephenkohl2452]

This looks easier to make and implement than the original majigger I was about to make. This is exactly what I didnt know I was looking for.

[@eliasdincer640]

wow this looks very useful and easy i will build it!!

[@dirkbaumann9398]

Five Star tutorial ! Thank You for sharing your knowledge and skill and a numero uno Jig. Best Wishes, Dirk

[@BobBlarneystone]

hmm, a little bit of modding, and it'll be good for lathe skew chisels. And a third screw in the center could be used to set the angle, and then drop the outer screws to the table. As for tapping, run a 1/4 flange nut on the tap first to hold it plumb or start it on the drill press.

[@decimatorx8083]

When tapping... Get the drill and tap in one.... There is both metric and imperial save so much time.....

[@johnjude2685]

Great instructions and alsome details and designs Thanks

[@kennycampbelljr5896]

Awesome makes it look easy. I'm a beginner and have a very limited budget SSDI so any cheap tricks is very much needed. As long as I don't set my wheelchair cushion on fire I'm good....lol I also take any donations of tools as I'm hauling everything in the trunk of my car.

[@keithvanbrunt6721]

I've tried to make jigs for this but ended up just putting a stop on the table to use as a way to keep the angle consistent. This looks like a better way.

[@scotttoner9231]

Fantastic video.... again. Someday soon I hope to begin spending as much time making these as I have watching you teach me! Curious: do you or others ever find it useful to experiment with mock-up in wood or plastic before going to the steel?

[@zeedevil4409]

Best blade content ever

[@chriswick21]

This is great! Simple, cost effective, and very helpful.. I added a magnet strip from harbor freight to hold the knife to the front, so no clamps needed!

[@toml802]

Love the smell of dyechem. Thanks for the video!

[@althesmith]

Never buy that stuff from Amazon. I find you can get it at most local tool suppliers for half the price.

[@Reploidx9]

Oh hell yes. Reminds me of old whiteboard markers

[@toml802]

@@althesmith McMaster Carr. They have everything. Wiley Coyote shops there!

[@dredz4473]

Mate, thank you for the tip, you have helped me a lot with this easier method. God speed you☺

[@shawnkittle5406]

Man ur vids help out so much. Please keep up all the good work!!!

[@Shoebilly_Blades]

In a pinch you can use a stainless bolt, make slotted 3-4 cuts down the threads. Works fairly well as a homemade tap.

[@1966cambo]

I like this design for it's simplicity for sure! I was thinking maybe run the brass screws the other way so the head forms kind of like a foot for the jig rather than the small end of the screw?

[@suryaprakashbellary8773]

Great, informative. I have learnt a few nice things. Thank you.

[@minskmade]

Super smart build

[@wrmhlmusic631]

surely excellent tip, thank you so much, i am pretty new in this knifemaking thing. i will try this by using bolts instead of tapping since i don't have the stuff and experience to do so. might work to get a regular angle for grinding if i can control the angle with an angle verification tool (still have to find one tho) thanks again for the inspiration!!!

[@muriellivermore2560]

Major help. Thanks man!

[@richarddagobert2703]

good video, nice & simple jig/fixture. My only question is why were you using what appeared to be a "Die" handle instead of a Tap handle to thread those holes? The fact that the handle you were using holds the taps off center makes it even harder to tap straight.

[@jlbuff3]

Thanks for this video. I am going to make it this week. I made my first one to complicated.

[@alva8421]

Nice .. it works great and gets the job done and dose a nice job and can be made for a few bucks!! Great video Walter thanks.

[@radoslawjocz2976]

Good design, easy to make, thanks Walter

[@davidhannum5598]

Could I suggest using slotted angle? It has predrilled holes for all the fasteners so you can place your screws anywhere? can be set up for different blade widths possibly?

[@RatdogDRB]

Nice jig! Thank you for this one.

[@louisaziz1235]

Walter... I have broken so many taps that I bought drill bits with the taps machined in. Saves a lot of headaches. I still have taps, just in case.

[@dustymcwhorter7625]

How do you know how much of an angle to set it at or is it just a personal preference?

[@larrywhite6637]

Great video. I never did hear the total length of the finished jig cutoff.

[@timothycoe4126]

I have a horizontal 4x36 belt grinder. Any recommendations/suggestions on how to craft a jig for that?

[@GlockmanGG]

Use a taping block to get the tap straight , cool videos

[@glenrye9091]

Walter loved your jig, However, you used brass adjusting screws to avoid scratching table. Why not also use soft material for the angle iron?? IE: aluminum etc., ?? or is long edge okay for sliding repeatedly without causing grove?

[@silvioluizkrugnerkassimura9920]

Basic,simple,good.

[@turboconqueringmegaeagle9006]

Nice and simple. I made something very different because my machine has no table and I like very big blades, I like the idea of making a table a doing something similar to this though for small blades.

[@mattbrown5511]

Would you suggest using a clamp or rare earth magnets as a stop? I figure that it would be easier to make clean plunge lines on the knife blank that way.

[@lunkydog]

It just occurred to me that a used carbide insert could easily be clamped on the belt side of blade to serve as a plunge line hard stop using a small C clamp. The thick square ones would be perfect since they can be rotated 4 times as they get progressively grooved by the belt.

[@frostcb2]

I use a spiral tap, they have an easier, more aggressive angle to remove material, less chance to break tap.

[@chrishenning8829]

...but harder to remove if it does break.

[@Smallathe]

Wonderful demo and tool. I'm also for free hand grinding... One comment though: Not all of us are lucky enough to have a tap in home depot (If I'd ask for one they will say "what? What's that???") so if I break a tap it's a 2-4week wait for ebay delivery (ok, 3 day for ebay delivery and 3-4 weeks stuck in IL customs and post office). So be happy you can drive and get it on spot.. :)

[@Smallathe]

@nuff said You are definitely lucky... :) I buy mine from ebay - I bought a set of HSS taps for a relatively good price and I love it. It works very well for my needs. I really have no idea what I would do without ebay... :)

[@keithhill8735]

That's awesome. I need to make one now. Thank you for the video. I was thinking to build a jig it would have been some type of crazy build involving welders and other tools I don't have.

[@Sickofsociety1]

So how do you make a jig for a knife with a sweeping edge? What I mean is on most knives the edge starting from the choil, it goes straight until the belly of the edge starts. I'm talking about the edge sweeping upwards from the choil and then curving back down to start the belly.

[@lewiswereb8994]

I use an aluminum 2 X 2 X 1/4 angle, no screws at all, clamp the blade blank onto it with a good vise grip and git 'er done! Also tilt my table instead of sing the wing nut powered feet.

[@LionelTurner777]

1st time seeing you. Great info. Your ears look like you wrestled/grappled. Dig it!

[@lymanw.-nf8bw]

Thanks again

[@darthlively]

So what grit level is that belt? 36, 45 , ?

[@hagsmich]

I have ODC. What is the length of the jig and how far apart are the screws on the face?

[@zeke1eod]

What angle degree did you use for that knife? Thanks for sharing, God bless

[@ChuckNorrisUltra]

I'm glad you made this video after I ended up buying one.

[@msrvfx]

Why not just have a great adjustable/lock-down angle tool rest table, wide enough for the length of you knife lengths, and a squared flat mount blade holding jig? Use an angle gauge to set the table. Fewer parts, and more robust. The holding jig could be created to hold the blade at different angles on the flip/flop of sides.

[@Timbo868]

10:38 Murphy's law, cursing craftsmen, maker's, and all trade skills.

[@stephenkohl2452]

My dude it's because of that law that we are in demand. To some folks it's like black magic, scary and hard. I know what you mean though.

[@joeygonzo]

makers, not maker's . apple, apples

[@vaughnsmith99]

You have uncanny timing sir, I was just about to search for this 👍

[@justmyopinion6486]

How do you know hat the grind is center of the blade edge or did I not understand, when to stop grinding on one side? But all in all very nice video. Thanks for the tip.

[@mikeoxmaul9386]

Look at his video on making a scribe!

[@williemcmillen8058]

If I was grinding a narrower knife would I need a smaller jig? I feel like if the edge of the blade wasn't close to the top edge of the jig it would want to grind the top edge of the jig.

[@martinsilk1805]

Hi Walter, I have been following you for a while now and have learned so much so thank you for taking the time and trouble to make your videos. I have just started to make a knife out of a bastard file my Father owned. My question is what is the angle I grind the bevel at? The material is 8mm thickthe widest part of the blade is 32mm, I want to put a quite large bevel on probably around 20mm, leaving 12mm at the top of the blade. Thank you. Martin (Essex UK)

[@paulwiggins183]

Well-being and contentment? Cool.

[@SL-ez7qn]

Nice video. Thanks. How does this jig cope with a drop point knife design.

[@Ready-for-an-adventure]

I imagine you don’t sugar coat anything. Tough to be a real man in today’s world

[@robinsonmotorsports9976]

Is there a reason everyone uses button head screws for support? Why not allen head ones that are more cylindrical?

[@JA-gf6zl]

Could you do this with a circular sander?

[@timothymoore7890]

Great video! Another approach is to make the jig hold the blade at 90 degrees to the work rest, and angle the platen of the grinder

[@georgeb.wolffsohn30]

How about using nylon screws to set the angle ?

[@Joseph-Colin-EXP]

Rather than a clamp, Would a quick-turn magnet hold a knife well? Edit: Just tried tapping a piece of bar stock in prep for my onw stab at this. HOLY CR@P! it was frustrating. Any links to the taps you prefered? Thank YA!

[@mannyfilmsinc]

Great jig, maybe I would've done a little step more and round the brass screws at the side that is rubbing the table, but great video again