Originally Posted By: haertig
Why not use some kind of grinder for initial metal removal, and then do the finer finish work with a hand file, followed by sanding? It seems like a bench grinder (or even an angle grinder) and a belt sander would be handy for this project.


I don't know if I'm right, but I would be concerned that using a grinder might have a negative effect on the heat treatment. Someone more knowledgeable than myself would have to tell me that a grinder was acceptable before I would use it.

There are wet grinders that take the heat away from the workpiece, and I'd be much less reluctant to use one of them, at least if I knew what I was doing.