5160 I think ?

[Houser USA]

I'm in between bar stock, so I thought I'd give this car spring a go. Forging went well, and I profiled the blank with ease. Problem: Now it is to tough to drill the holes for my scales??? Any help here is greatly appreciated, still learning !!!

 

[Heathen619]

Slow that bit way down....worked when i made a blade out of old tractor parts.

 

[i4Marc]

Heat the blade up in the forge then close up the forge and let the blade cool down slowly with the forge. Not a perfect anneal but should make it soft enough to drill.

 

[Houser USA]

Thanks, sounds like I can use a combination of both suggestions.

 

[Altofsky]

I'm in between bar stock, so I thought I'd give this car spring a go. Forging went well, and I profiled the blank with ease. Problem: Now it is to tough to drill the holes for my scales??? Any help here is greatly appreciated, still learning !!!

Artu drill bits. Amazon and EBay have decent prices. They eat through work hardened 5160 like butter.

Thanks to Chuck at CMR Customs for putting me on to them. Great guy.

 

[mete]

Never assume it's a certain steel ,especially these days !
Altofsky, work hardened ? Are you sure that's the term you want ?
I'd first try a sub-critical anneal, 1200 F for 2 hours.