Carbide Drill Bits

B

bigtim

Joined
Jul 12, 1999
Messages
30
Where is a good place to get metal-cutting carbide drill bits in fractions of inches?
 
Any of the machine tool supply houses have them. Along with those places, most, if not all of the knife maker supply houses have them. For pins, I have been very successful with the "number" or "letter" size drill bits. For example a size "F" drill bit is .257 inches whereas a 1/4 inch bit is .250, 7 thousandths over. A quarter inch pin will not fit in a 1/4 inch hole. I do this for the tang, not necessarily for the handle material or scales. You have to use your judgement accordingly. You don't want TOO much slop.

CLWilkins
 
MSC carries the spade point carbide bits I use on hardened steel. I use the 1/8" bits, and if it needs reaming, chuck an undersize SS pin in the hole with a touch of valve grinding compound.
This, along with another tip were passed on by Wayne Goddard, is to mic your pinstock (it can vary, as those of us who've cracked mammoth ivory can attest to)and buy a drill bit of corresponding size, then tape it to that size of pinstock.
Made me feel real dumb the first time I read it.....;-)
Harry Jensen
 
MSC is currently running a sale on carbide spade bits for drilling hardened steel(rc 50 & up) 1\8 &3\32 are only $5.49 till Aug 31 as opposed to $9 to $12 elsewhere. The phone # is 800-645-7270

[This message has been edited by T. J. (edited 26 August 1999).]
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top