Toughest drill bits?
Post Fiend
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 6,214
Likes: 13
From: New Jersey
Originally Posted by Kepler4
Do you guys sharpen bits by 'hand' or use a machine?
I made a simple attachment that fits onto my grinder with a wing nut, which for most normal bits I slip the bit into the attachment, rotate, and the bit is sharpened and the center point retained.
The pilot point bits don't work with my jig because the tip isn't a simple angle. Instead, I sharpen just the pilot part with the jig, then chuck the bit into my lathe, and lower the bit onto a sharpening file, which I position so the file only touches the the flat part of the tip (which bores the specified hole).
I have to run my drill press backwards to do this, which required a little tinkering with the motor and wiring so I could reverse it.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 28,609
Likes: 18
From: Lake Tahoe, Nevada
For sharpening drill bits, use a low speed grinder with a fine wheel. See this thread, post #21 https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/s...pen+drill+bits
Elder User
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 963
Likes: 1
From: wichita kansas
Saw a mechanic at work take out broken bolts by using a engraver. He used a punch to break it loose and then turned the engraver on and used it to back the bolts out. He said it works real good on smaller bolts. I haven't tried it myself, but I've seen him do it a couple of times. Might squirt the screw with something PB blaster to try to make sure it isn't stuck.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 24,724
Likes: 74
From: Blue Hill Township
I hate drilling through S/S. I almost hate it as much as welding galvanized steel. lol
Anyway, I was trying to put a 1/2 inch hole into a stainless steel wall plate to add a switch for the PA system. It took my 3x longer than it should have because none of my drill bits are sharp enough and stainless stinks to drill in. I think that I am going to have to either get a new set of bits or spend the time and sharpen all of the ones I have now.
It doesn't sound like much fun, but I guess it will be really nice to have sharp bits.
Anyway, I was trying to put a 1/2 inch hole into a stainless steel wall plate to add a switch for the PA system. It took my 3x longer than it should have because none of my drill bits are sharp enough and stainless stinks to drill in. I think that I am going to have to either get a new set of bits or spend the time and sharpen all of the ones I have now.
It doesn't sound like much fun, but I guess it will be really nice to have sharp bits.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 28,609
Likes: 18
From: Lake Tahoe, Nevada
Stainless, like other steels, comes in all degrees of hardness. But no steel is fun to drill if you are using dull bits.
Once you learn how, and it isn't all that difficult, it makes your life easier and makes you a more capable fabricator.
Once you learn how, and it isn't all that difficult, it makes your life easier and makes you a more capable fabricator.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,988
Likes: 14
From: Travelers Rest SC
If you can find them, and have a reversible drill motor, left-hand bits are great for removing broken studs, because you're encouraging the bolt to come out with the torque. I've seen a regular right-hand drill turn the bolt deeper into the hole. We have a set of lefties at work just for that purpose.
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Senior User
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 236
Likes: 0
From: Southwest Montana
McMaster-Carr of Los Angeles ( http://www.mcmaster.com ) sells solid carbide drill bits that will drill a hole right through a Snap On tap. I'm pretty sure the're expensive but how bad do you want to drill that hole?
Ken
Ken
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Post Fiend
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 6,658
Likes: 4
From: "Islander"
Sounds like he work hardened the stainless, just love that high pitch squeal like drilling glass. High pressure low speed with a sharp bit you may break thru the hardness created. A small carbide bit in a hand drill will about guarantee a broken bit.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 9,748
Likes: 16
From: Connecticut
Recently I had to drill out a rear strut pinch bolt that snapped while I was upgrading my SHO's suspension. I tried a titanium bit on the broken bolt and got nowhere. Picked up a cobalt bit from Lowes (off the rack) and had that busted pinch bolt drilled out in no time. Night and day difference between the bits (titanium versus cobalt). I noticed that a slow, steady drill speed with plenty of oil squirted on there worked best.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 3,550
Likes: 5
From: Lancaster County PA
Originally Posted by Kepler4
Do you guys sharpen bits by 'hand' or use a machine?
I really like being able to adapt the pitch to the material I am drilling.
I haven't bought a new bit in years except to replace one that broke too short to be reclaimed.
Junior User
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 62
Likes: 0
DAN,if that little bolt was stainless, you have made it harder with the regular dits spinning and case hardening it. If its a stainless, get a cobolt bit. it will cut the metal if you keep the rpm down and do not let the bit spinn or slip. good luck
Logistics Pro
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 4,447
Likes: 0
From: Georgia
An old machinist taught me a trick that is gonna sound crazy but it works. You can take a masonry bit and drill till it gets hot and it will cut metal that destroys other bits. It will not cut at first but when it gets warm stuff starts happening. It is the poor mans carbide drill bit. Cannot remember if I ever tried it on stainless though. I guess it could possibly harden the stainless.
Last edited by 70blue; Mar 16, 2007 at 08:37 PM.