Hello, my name is Ernie.
I tried looking on Google for how to make a training blade out of aluminum but only got a few videos that weren't very detailed. I sort of have A.D.D. and reading is not my strong suit but Forums are great. Quick and to the point.
I know it might be cheaper if I bought them online. If I only needed 1-4 it'd be cheaper to buy. But more than 4, it might be cheaper to make. Just time is spent. But the feeling of making something is kind of cool to me.
I'd appreciate any and all help. I don't have many tools or any blacksmithing knowledge or any tool knowledge really. This will not be a full time thing or hobby. I will not be making real steel blades either.
So here are my questions.
I want to use Aluminum but which one is better: 6061-T6 or 7075-T6? I will be doing weapon on weapon contact. I chose aluminum because it's less dense (or heavy?), so it won't hurt as much if we hit the body. I saw a guy post a video of an Aluminum Training sword breaking up a cinder block! (Aluminum Swords vs Cinder block on Youtube) So it looks strong enough to me.
With 7075 aluminum there is like Clad or Bare. Which one should I get or should I just get 6061?
Does aluminum need to be heat treated? I don't think so but I'd thought I'd ask just in case. It'd probably melt right?
I read a bit online and saw some videos about knifemaking. But those were for actual blades vs training ones. Would the tools and process be the same?
For example the necessary tools are Jeweler's saw, crosscut (bastard?) file for fast metal removal, single cut file for finer removal, maybe a round file and small hobby files, wet/dry sandpaper, maybe a vise to hold and clamp the "knife" (Knife-like or sword-like object). Maybe some metal polish to make it shiny.
Am I missing any other tools? Any tool brand recommendations? I don't like the idea of crappy tools. I might make some more stuff I need down the line, you never know. I probably won't get any power tools to keep costs down as much as possible.
So the process is basically draw the shape.
Cut out as best as I can.
File down to actual shape.
If I want it to bevel? it (almost sharpen it, I guess to make it look more like a knife) I'd have to draw the line where I want it to start to slope or curve right? But I'd have to mark the Center of the edge side so both sides align correctly?.?
File again.
Then Sand as smooth as I can.
Polish.
If I want to add a cord wrap I'd have to make holes in the handle. Could I do that with a 12V cordless drill? I have titanium bits, would that go through aluminum? (I know these 2 are stupid questions but I really don't know).
Am I missing any steps?
Again, I'd appreciate any and all help. Thank you for your time!
I tried looking on Google for how to make a training blade out of aluminum but only got a few videos that weren't very detailed. I sort of have A.D.D. and reading is not my strong suit but Forums are great. Quick and to the point.
I know it might be cheaper if I bought them online. If I only needed 1-4 it'd be cheaper to buy. But more than 4, it might be cheaper to make. Just time is spent. But the feeling of making something is kind of cool to me.
I'd appreciate any and all help. I don't have many tools or any blacksmithing knowledge or any tool knowledge really. This will not be a full time thing or hobby. I will not be making real steel blades either.
So here are my questions.
I want to use Aluminum but which one is better: 6061-T6 or 7075-T6? I will be doing weapon on weapon contact. I chose aluminum because it's less dense (or heavy?), so it won't hurt as much if we hit the body. I saw a guy post a video of an Aluminum Training sword breaking up a cinder block! (Aluminum Swords vs Cinder block on Youtube) So it looks strong enough to me.
With 7075 aluminum there is like Clad or Bare. Which one should I get or should I just get 6061?
Does aluminum need to be heat treated? I don't think so but I'd thought I'd ask just in case. It'd probably melt right?
I read a bit online and saw some videos about knifemaking. But those were for actual blades vs training ones. Would the tools and process be the same?
For example the necessary tools are Jeweler's saw, crosscut (bastard?) file for fast metal removal, single cut file for finer removal, maybe a round file and small hobby files, wet/dry sandpaper, maybe a vise to hold and clamp the "knife" (Knife-like or sword-like object). Maybe some metal polish to make it shiny.
Am I missing any other tools? Any tool brand recommendations? I don't like the idea of crappy tools. I might make some more stuff I need down the line, you never know. I probably won't get any power tools to keep costs down as much as possible.
So the process is basically draw the shape.
Cut out as best as I can.
File down to actual shape.
If I want it to bevel? it (almost sharpen it, I guess to make it look more like a knife) I'd have to draw the line where I want it to start to slope or curve right? But I'd have to mark the Center of the edge side so both sides align correctly?.?
File again.
Then Sand as smooth as I can.
Polish.
If I want to add a cord wrap I'd have to make holes in the handle. Could I do that with a 12V cordless drill? I have titanium bits, would that go through aluminum? (I know these 2 are stupid questions but I really don't know).
Am I missing any steps?
Again, I'd appreciate any and all help. Thank you for your time!
