Trad Gang

Main Boards => Hunting Knives and Crafters => Topic started by: el oso on March 04, 2008, 06:08:00 PM

Title: carbide drill bits
Post by: el oso on March 04, 2008, 06:08:00 PM
I am makeing cheater knives out of carbon saw blades. they are very hard to drill. I have tried cobalt, and carbide tiped masonry bits. I had no luck with the cobalt bits. the masonry bits work ,but I go through two or three bits per knife at about three dollers a bit. I broke down and bought two solid carbide bits at 15$ each. I drilled two holes realy easy but when I looked at the bit it had chips gone at the tip  :mad:  Is there a certon way to use the carbide tips like going slow or useing oil? ????HELP????
Title: Re: carbide drill bits
Post by: Leftieshot on March 04, 2008, 06:28:00 PM
My experience with solid carbide drills has been very high RMP, very true running drill chuck (no wobbling), peck drilling, air blasting the drill which will cool and clean the chips out.  Be aware of your depth, you are very prone to break it when the tip breaks thru the other side of the work piece, time and patience.  Wear safety glasses, carbide can shatter!!!!
Title: Re: carbide drill bits
Post by: sticshooter on March 04, 2008, 06:48:00 PM
cobalt would be better IMHO. And CheatR knives are made from old butcher knives  :bigsmyl: .<><
Title: Re: carbide drill bits
Post by: el oso on March 04, 2008, 07:01:00 PM
sticshooter. How do you use the cobalt bits. fast, slow , with oil? and what do you call a knife cut out of an old saw blade?
Title: Re: carbide drill bits
Post by: sticshooter on March 04, 2008, 07:18:00 PM
I go sloooow and use oil. What do I call a knife made from a sawblade? Look at my avatar.<><  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: carbide drill bits
Post by: el oso on March 04, 2008, 07:44:00 PM
thanks fellas. BTW sticshooter I looked at your home page and all I can say is WOW! I saw all kinds of styles I am going to steal   :p
Title: Re: carbide drill bits
Post by: farmboy on March 04, 2008, 07:58:00 PM
El oso

I am probably way out to lunch here, but are you softening these blades before drilling?
Title: Re: carbide drill bits
Post by: el oso on March 04, 2008, 08:16:00 PM
no because i'm afraid i cant harden them again
Title: Re: carbide drill bits
Post by: sticshooter on March 04, 2008, 08:31:00 PM
LOL! (BTW sticshooter I looked at your home page and all I can say is WOW! I saw all kinds of styles I am going to steal ) get some cobalt bits and oil and go slow. BTW you can use a propane torch and just heat the handles.<><
Title: Re: carbide drill bits
Post by: el oso on March 04, 2008, 08:48:00 PM
I was wondering if I could just heat the spots I want to drill thanks dude!  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: carbide drill bits
Post by: farmboy on March 05, 2008, 06:24:00 AM
Yes you could try that.....i think because the blade is hardened already you would in effect be drawing a little more temper at the drilling sites........Just stay away frrom your cutting edge and be ready to quench the blade so the heat dosnt travel to far......I would try a propane torch......drawing to a puurple color should be good ehough especialy if you use cobalt.....give it a shot on a piece of scrap first.

 Another option would be to submerge your cutting edge in water while softening your drilling sites.  Good luck let me know how it turns out  :)

Scott
Title: Re: carbide drill bits
Post by: el oso on March 05, 2008, 11:01:00 PM
thanks for the help fellas
Title: Re: carbide drill bits
Post by: shawnee on March 06, 2008, 02:39:00 PM
You can also buy a heat paste from most places that sell gunsmithing supplies.  Cover the blade in the paste, then drill your  holes.  The paste doesn't let the blade get too hot,and transfers the heat away from the metal it is covering.

Gunsmiths use it to cover the bolt when heating and bending a bolt handle on a rifle.
Title: Re: carbide drill bits
Post by: Caveman IL on March 06, 2008, 06:06:00 PM
A simpler method to anneal the handle but not the blade part would be to put the blade in a vise while heating the handle. The mass of the vise is such that the blade part wouldn't overheat. Larry
Farmboy, did you get that package I sent?
Title: Re: carbide drill bits
Post by: farmboy on March 06, 2008, 09:05:00 PM
Larry,
Yes i did i tried to send you a couple of emails through the forum but I they didnt go through. I was like a kid at Christmas! to say the least.  I love that osage I sanded some and tung oiled it already(couldnt wait)  its cool almost iradecent.  The "small piece of steel" is awesome too love the wording on the pkg. hehe....When I get it done i'll post pics. I sent you 2 emails after recieving the pakage 3 days ago and just assumed you must have been busy?  I will try one right now let me know if you get it.  What a treat to have a blade ready for handles!
Title: Re: carbide drill bits
Post by: Caveman IL on March 07, 2008, 06:07:00 AM
Scott,
   I didn't get any e-mails.  I was worried that it got lost.  Just send to "[email protected]" and I should get them.  I don't have any message from tradgang now.  Don't know what the problem is. Thanks for responding.  Nice job on your first knife.  Larry