Drilling Hardened Steel?

Lycosa

Lycosa

Joined
Aug 24, 2007
Messages
43,271
Gang--- I have a piece of hardened 154CM, can I drill it for handle slabs?
Thanks.
 
Not with a typical drill bit. A carbide-tipped bit or other specialty-type bit might work, I think someone said they used the spade-point tile bits on hardened steel.
 
You can drill hardened material with a small carbide tipped mason drill, run your drill press as fast as it'll go and when you come down on the material, push hard and fast! Don't stop until its thru or the drill and material will weld itself together. Oh yea, wear safety equipment, the chunks flying off are red hot.

Peter
 
Thanks guys.
Maybe I'll let it be. I'd have to really clamp that piece of steel down.
 
how about small pointed carbide die grinder burrs that cut on the point? ive also blown a very small hole w/a plaz., (just a pierce) very quickly, then opened the hole up w/ above mentioned cutter.
 
You dont need to drill fast actually the other way around carbide bits might work but 154cm is really tuff stuff . I did it once but wrecked 2 bits doing it. There are special bits that are only sold at the fair and big home and garden shows . I for the life of me cant remember the name of the drill bits but they are the only bits out there that can drill 30 holes in a nicholson file with out becoming dull . Sorry I cant remmber the name.
 
If you have a grinder with a green stone or diamond wheel you can sharpen a masonry bit to do the job, drill on slow speed .
Richard
 
Little story about the Rodman bits. I always saw them at the National Farm Machinery Show and figured the files and stuff they were drilling had been annealed. Well I had forgot to drill one of the holes out in a knife blade bdfore heat treat and while scratching my head on what to do decided I would take the blade to the show with me and put that guy on the spot. Told him I would buy a set if he could drill a 1/4 inch hole in it. Well to my surprise he did and then proceeded on with his drilling through concrete blocks and other drill bits, tile, files and such. He should have given me my set for all it sold him, I think he sold out.:D
 
You will need carbide bits as stated. The ones that work best for me are those with straight flutes. They cut just as well as the twist bits and are MUCH more durable. Drill slowly with plenty of coolant.

Gary
 
The Rodman bits you want to drill super fast. 2000RPM or more. Let the Carbide grind through. They may turn cherry red but it doesn't seem to hurt them.

Oh yeh, just a warning, it's a horrendous noise, try to ignore it:D
 
I can't believe you seriously have to wait until a fair to buy their product. Couldn't find it even on Ebay. I was going to purchase a set. Guess I'll wait until Summer.
 
Try to anneal the spot where you going to drill,
Try in a different place first
Carbide breaks too easy
Make sure you have something under the piece to drill
Wend you drilling,
if the spot gets hot don’t put oil
Cause it will get hard again
 
gusval said:
Try to anneal the spot where you going to drill,
Try in a different place first
Carbide breaks too easy
Make sure you have something under the piece to drill
Wend you drilling,
if the spot gets hot don’t put oil
Cause it will get hard again
Click to expand...

Stainless requires a long anneal cycle. Spot annealing is not a real option. Buy a two flute carbide bit from MSC and you will have better results. I have drilled hardened material many times. I've even drilled holes in bearing races with carbide bits.
 
childzplay said:
I can't believe you seriously have to wait until a fair to buy their product. Couldn't find it even on Ebay. I was going to purchase a set. Guess I'll wait until Summer.
Click to expand...
Wow, that is pretty stupid. I figured you could go to their website and buy them.:rolleyes: I know once you get them if you do mess one up just call them and they will take care of you. A friend of mine broke the carbide tip on one and they warranted it.
 
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