Ghostsoldier
Sr Member
OK, here’s my take on the Book of Eli machete…I can't let Fuelish have all the fun! After all, to be fair….if I draw it, I need to make it…so, here’s how I'm doing it:
I decided to use a piece of 3/16” mild steel sheeting, which had been lying around the yard for a few years, becoming naturally weathered with rust, scale and pitting. I chose this because I wanted the patina of an aged weapon, which I feel gives it more visual “character” than a smooth piece. (Sorry for the small pics; I forgot my camera, so I used my phone)....
I taped the pattern to the steel, then fogged the outline with yellow spray paint…
I used a 4” high-speed grinder and cutting discs…it actually made the curves pretty easily, and I only used 4 discs cutting out the blade. Here’s the blank…
I used a bench grinder and wheel to smooth the burrs and start a rudimentary edge....
I used the same 4" grinder, but this time with a 24-grit “flapper” disc setup, to enhance the rudimentary edge, and knock off the really rough scale….
I'm going to have to have it sand blasted to get the deeply pitted rust out of the blade, as I think it will look better (naval jelly does not work well)...
I then used my electric drill and a 1/16” bit to add the pilots for the 5 blade holes…
And a bench press drill to enlarge them to ½”….
You can see the patina in these pics...I have to enlarge the center hole...
Next on the list (after sand blasting and finishing the edge contours and bevels) are the scales and the leather handle wrapping...I'm also considering adding a sharpened edge (I have teenaged kids, so I'm tossed-up about that...but, most-likely, I probably will!).....More to come....
Rob
I decided to use a piece of 3/16” mild steel sheeting, which had been lying around the yard for a few years, becoming naturally weathered with rust, scale and pitting. I chose this because I wanted the patina of an aged weapon, which I feel gives it more visual “character” than a smooth piece. (Sorry for the small pics; I forgot my camera, so I used my phone)....
I taped the pattern to the steel, then fogged the outline with yellow spray paint…
I used a 4” high-speed grinder and cutting discs…it actually made the curves pretty easily, and I only used 4 discs cutting out the blade. Here’s the blank…
I used a bench grinder and wheel to smooth the burrs and start a rudimentary edge....
I used the same 4" grinder, but this time with a 24-grit “flapper” disc setup, to enhance the rudimentary edge, and knock off the really rough scale….
I'm going to have to have it sand blasted to get the deeply pitted rust out of the blade, as I think it will look better (naval jelly does not work well)...
I then used my electric drill and a 1/16” bit to add the pilots for the 5 blade holes…
And a bench press drill to enlarge them to ½”….
You can see the patina in these pics...I have to enlarge the center hole...
Next on the list (after sand blasting and finishing the edge contours and bevels) are the scales and the leather handle wrapping...I'm also considering adding a sharpened edge (I have teenaged kids, so I'm tossed-up about that...but, most-likely, I probably will!).....More to come....
Rob
