Drilling Files

[Ian Red Redmond]

Hey all
I'm very new to knife making. So new in fact I've just made my first blade using stock removal from a file to create a simple Kiridashi style knife. However, I'm struggling to drill a hole for a lanyard, 4 bits gone to drill bit heaven so far! I'm wondering therefore, would annealing the material make it more drillable?
Thanks in advance
Ian Red Redmond

 

[PEU]

You can torch the back of the kiridashi and let it cool slowly, it will be soft enough to drill it, just stick the cutting part in wet rags or a potato so it does not lose its hardness.

Pablo

 

[Natlek]

Hey all
I'm very new to knife making. So new in fact I've just made my first blade using stock removal from a file to create a simple Kiridashi style knife. However, I'm struggling to drill a hole for a lanyard, 4 bits gone to drill bit heaven so far! I'm wondering therefore, would annealing the material make it more drillable?
Thanks in advance
Ian Red Redmond

Drill bits for ceramic tile and glass will dril hole in that file like in wood .
https://www.google.com/search?q=cer...WC1aYKHX0oAtYQ_AUoAXoECA0QAw&biw=1280&bih=660

 

[Hengelo_77]

Drill trough annealed steel or use solid carbide bits. Be carefull they are pretty brittle

 

[Seedy Lot]

For drilling hardened steel i have used full carbide bits, they are expensive and very brittle, after snapping two i gave up. I have had very good results drilling holes with Black and Decker glass/tile bits.

 

[12345678910]

If you have to do one hole and you're breaking carbide drill bits, try a round end carbide burr in a drill press.

It takes longer, but it does work and will be resistant to grabbing and breaking the drill.

 

[Alan G.]

Bosch makes some “mixed material” carbide tipped bits that are sold in the masonry bit section. The mixed material ones have a sharpened carbide tip and are around $5. I used one bit to enlarge 16 holes in hardened steel on some kitchen knives I am re-handling.

 

[scott kozub]

I've got through hardened steel using a cheap masonry bit. You can usually get a couple hole before destroying the bit. The hole won't be pretty though.

 

[JTknives]

Carbide burrs work good if it’s hard and you keep the chips clear. Big problem a lot of people have when using carbide is going way to slow and not a ridged drill press. I just drilled 4 holes in hard 5160 with carbide drills,3/16 & 1/4”. I use the spade point style and run the rpm at 2500-3000. Just slowly keep pressure you will feel it bite.

 

[Storm W]

What JTknives said. I stopped breaking my carbide bits once I run them faster. They still break but you can get a knife or 2 out of them. Not bad for $8. I now drill most of my holes after hardening especially on AEB-L.

 

[JTknives]

Where it gets exciting is when you use a blown out carbide drill that you reshape into a cone with 4 sides and run it fast. The carbide and steel will start to glow and then push it through. This Friction drilling works really good on hard stuff. It does leave an extruded tube on the back side but it’s usually rehardened and a sharp whack with something hard will knock it off.