OK had a few inquirees on using carbide bits... Today I decided to put one to the test, 90 holes, probably 3/4 of em thru 1084 and the rest 1084/15N20 damascus.
I bought 50 of these bits, 9/32" if I remember right, for like a buck apiece years ago from one of the discount machine tool places. Don't remember brand or anything else but still have a dozen or so left. Now I'll be the first to admit they can be broken by a little too much pressure or miscalculation but over all I can't imagine going back to using HSS for drilling high carbon steels.
Like I said 90 holes in like 15 minutes and there is still life left in this bit. It'd be tough without a drill press but at 2300 rpms and steady down pressure you go right thru.
Topic: Drilling knife steel revisited (Read 1429 times)
