Reshaping tools?

[hectorlektor]

So I was thinking about physical reshaping of a saw to a tiny blade for opening packages, almost like the small serrated blade pn the sidekick but even smaller. Have anybody done this and have any tips?

[jcs0001]

A few thoughts although I am no expert.

You do not want to heat the metal up and ruin the heat treating.  I would be inclined to start with a blade/implement not too much bigger than what you wish to end up with so that it doesn't need much cutting/grinding.  You can cut it with a dremel cut off tool, again making sure to keep it cool.  If it starts to change colour you likely have too much heat.

Not sure if the part you plan to cut down can be cut with a hacksaw but usually they are pretty hard so I suspect not.

I use a white norton wheel on a grinder for things like this as it does not heat things up as badly as a regular grinding wheel.  I also dip the piece in water a lot to keep it cool.

Take lots of care - glasses and other safety gear as there is a potential for grinding/cutting wheels/discs to fall apart and getting metal grindings in one's eye is not my idea of fun.

One other idea may be to order a piece of stainless knife steel, shape your cutter and then get it heat treated.  If you were doing a few it may not cost too much per piece and the unheat treated metal would be easier to shape.  I was looking into this recently as I needed a blade for a fairly valuable tool - it wasn't too expensive considering.

John.

[zoidberg]

What saw, SAK or MT? Nothing a grinder and files couldn't do.         Take pics for us eh.   

[hectorlektor]

Good points! Really good points about the heat treatment thing. I was thinking about doing it to a Leatherman MT.

[Poncho65]

What saw, SAK or MT? Nothing a grinder and files couldn't do.         Take pics for us eh.   

Yes we like pics

[sLaughterMed]

What saw, SAK or MT? Nothing a grinder and files couldn't do.         Take pics for us eh.   

Yes we like pics

Theres even a smiley for it

[SteveC]

If it's a package opener your looking for you can modify the can opener into one and keep the saw. I did that on my Rebar and it works great.


http://forum.multitool.org/index.php/topic,57377.msg1041511.html#msg1041511

[Poncho65]

If it's a package opener your looking for you can modify the can opener into one and keep the saw. I did that on my Rebar and it works great.


http://forum.multitool.org/index.php/topic,57377.msg1041511.html#msg1041511


(Image removed from quote.)

(Image removed from quote.)

I can't believe I forgot to tell him about that Steve I did that to mine as well after seeing yours

[Poncho65]

What saw, SAK or MT? Nothing a grinder and files couldn't do.         Take pics for us eh.   

Yes we like pics

Theres even a smiley for it

Quite right

[kaput]

Bump.

So I've done metal cutting and drilling but no real reshaping. Any tips? How do you get the profile angles so clean and uniform? Tools, techniques?

Thanks

[Poncho65]

Bump.

So I've done metal cutting and drilling but no real reshaping. Any tips? How do you get the profile angles so clean and uniform? Tools, techniques?

Thanks

I usually try and get it as close as I can when grinding (a very steady hand helps a lot) but I  usually deburr and polish it a little with a diamond sharpening stone That gives it a finish close to what I am going for as it smooths things out and makes all the edges smoother as well

[Poncho65]

Also a Sharpie is a very good tool that will let you mark out what you want before you grind as well. I usually grind to the line and the if I have to go further I can Because once you cut or grind it there is not getting back any of that material

[hiraethus]

Measure and mark carefully first, then grind away.  A steady hand and being patient helps.  I suppose it depends on what tools you're using, and what metal you're cutting.  I use files (metal and diamond), silicon carbide paper, a Dremel and a small belt sander, depending on what I'm doing.  Usually finish with Scotchbrite.

[kaput]

Thanks you guys for the tips. I know it'll be trial and error, but hopefully these tips help curb the "error" a bit.

So I'm just looking to do the awl mod. Not sure which starting tool, but referencing Kampfers wave awl mod it turned out so good I wouldn't be able to decipher it from a new tool 

So when you line up your cut, with the sharpie template. You cut it straight first (90*) then file the edge on. I'm p obably going to try on a flat or cap lifter so easily replaceable if I don't get the grind right. I'm not so concerned with creating the rough shape. It's he fine tuning after. And yes I'll use my dremel, and I do have access to files too.

Thanks again all!!

[Poncho65]

Thanks you guys for the tips. I know it'll be trial and error, but hopefully these tips help curb the "error" a bit.

So I'm just looking to do the awl mod. Not sure which starting tool, but referencing Kampfers wave awl mod it turned out so good I wouldn't be able to decipher it from a new tool 

So when you line up your cut, with the sharpie template. You cut it straight first (90*) then file the edge on. I'm p obably going to try on a flat or cap lifter so easily replaceable if I don't get the grind right. I'm not so concerned with creating the rough shape. It's he fine tuning after. And yes I'll use my dremel, and I do have access to files too.

Thanks again all!!

Yes I would just cut the shape of it first and then sharpen it to the angle you want with a file and/or sharpening stone or diamond stone/file

[SteveC]

This ^^^^

I used my dremmel,  bench grinder and files when I reshaped my Rebar awl and also when I made the awl for my Pulse.

http://forum.multitool.org/index.php/topic,61627.msg1143411.html#msg1143411

http://forum.multitool.org/index.php/topic,51510.msg1332115.html#msg1332115

[Poncho65]

This ^^^^

I used my dremmel,  bench grinder and files when I reshaped my Rebar awl and also when I made the awl for my Pulse.

http://forum.multitool.org/index.php/topic,61627.msg1143411.html#msg1143411

http://forum.multitool.org/index.php/topic,51510.msg1332115.html#msg1332115

Great links Steve  Thanks for those 

[Kampfer]

I use the grinder to grind out the shape I want then grind out a rouge edge at about 60*, finish it off with a stone.

[Aberdrew13]

I will use a grinder or cut off wheel for extensive reshaping, but usually I just use files and get good results.  smurf files for the gross work and needle files for the finer details.