carbide drill bits

[el oso]

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????

[Leftieshot]

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!!!!

[sticshooter]

cobalt would be better IMHO. And CheatR knives are made from old butcher knives   .<><

[el oso]

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?

[sticshooter]

I go sloooow and use oil. What do I call a knife made from a sawblade? Look at my avatar.<><  

[el oso]

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

[farmboy]

El oso

I am probably way out to lunch here, but are you softening these blades before drilling?

[el oso]

no because i'm afraid i cant harden them again

[sticshooter]

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.<><

[el oso]

I was wondering if I could just heat the spots I want to drill thanks dude!  

[farmboy]

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

[el oso]

thanks for the help fellas

[shawnee]

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.

[Caveman IL]

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?

[farmboy]

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!

[Caveman IL]

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