Drilling Talonite ???

RDT

RDT

Joined
Dec 17, 1999
Messages
4,117
Hi All,
I have a nice piece of Talonite that I profiled into a blade I wanted to do. However, The pins I use are 1/8" so, I broke out my 1/8" Cobalt drill bit and what do ya know ?....It didn't work !!! I was stumped. I'm also gonna try a 1" diam. hole in it as well, I can't imagine that it will work. How the hell do I drill holes in the stuff ? Anyone ? Thanks a ton.....RDT
 
I think that stuff is heavy on cobalt content. You'll probably need to go to carbide bits. Don't run them too slow as they may chip and keep cutting oil on the work area to keep it cool; drill a few mil and raise the bit, repeat until done. If the bit squeeks you're burning the bit and the work piece is becomming too hot. Squeeking bits are bad regardless of what steel you are drilling.

I, however, have not worked the talonite yet.

RL
 
Carbide drills will work well but they tend to be expensive. Carbide tipped masonry drills are an option. They're inexpensive and available at local hardware stores. They don't create the most uniform hole, but good enough if all you plan to do is put handle pins through. I would pass on the 1" hole.
 
carbide..............I dont use oil, it makes a mess and you cant see what you are doing. If you look for sales on MSC and Travers Tool you can get them for little more than the cheap masonry bits suggested above, and they last LOTS longer. If you overheat the masonry bits the carbide falls off!!! :(

Also, I have found that spade bits hold up the best.
 
I should clarify my response. Carbide drills are the way to go. I just mentioned that mansonry bits are an "option." Not the best option.
 
Try Hi-Roc carbide drill bit from MSC. The ones that I use will cut through ATS-34 hardened to 61RC like butter without softening the steel one bit. I use them when I need to add extra holes to an already hardened knife blank. They will chip if you are not careful, but can save the day when an order needs to be completed. They are available in fractional, letter and wire sizes.
 
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