Countersinks and smoothness

thknives

thknives

KnifeMaker
Joined
Jul 9, 1999
Messages
187
I have been countersinking all the holes I drill into my blades. As my skills advance I am not happy with the finish of the countersinks any more (even they are hidden under the tang). It looks as there is little ridges around the hole, when observed at a close range. I have switched counter sinks and still the same. I have found that if I do the countersinks by hand, they look the best, is this the only way to go?

Thank you,

Thomas

------------------
Haslinger Handcrafted Custom Knives
http://members.home.net/thknives
thknives@home.com
 
Thomas,
I/ve had that problem in the past, especially with titanium. For awhile now I/ve been using a 6 flute carbide 82 degree countersink and it leaves a real smooth finish.

On my titanium handled folders I do the countersink, ceramic bead blast them, then go back and "shine" the edge with the same countersink.

Regular high speed steel ones will pick up burrs and dull, where the carbide countersinks will stay sharp alot longer, at least for me.
 
One thing that's real important for countersinks is speed, you have to run them REAL slow (80-100 rpm) if you dont want them to chatter. But if your drill press doesn't go that slow, a good way to 'cheat' is to turn it on, then quickly turn it off and run the countersink into the hole as it's slowing down. Works great for pretty well any countersink too.
 
There's a small hand deburing tool made in Isreal that will place a 1/32nd to 1/16th chamfer on any type of steel that you care to mention that operates on a swivel. Costs about 4.00 canadian (that's free in american isn't it?) and is available in most precision machine houses. Don't know how deep a chamfer you want to obtain but if you still want to use a chamfering tool, you can lap out the chatter marks with a brass lap and a little Clovis compound (available up to 1600 grit I believe). Hope that this helps.

All the Best

Dileas Gu Brath
 
Thank you for all the tips. Now I go and try them.
smile.gif


Thomas

------------------
Haslinger Handcrafted Custom Knives
http://members.home.net/thknives
thknives@home.com
 
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