Forging Drill bits + ball bearings?

Robert Hankins

Robert Hankins

Joined
May 19, 2003
Messages
1,848
Got the canister all ready just need to fill that pup with cool forging fodder.
Here is my question: Harbor freight cheapo drill bits has anyone tried to forge them into a Damascus billet?
Do they have Carbide? Not sold as carbide bits

What is a good source for 52100 ball bearings (Cheap) Auto shop...small engine repair shop---pretty clueless :rolleyes:
What application are they typically used in might be a better question???
 
Cheap drill bits may have a shank of a different material from the cutting end..
 
I dont think I would feel secure using cheep drill bits They could be case hardend low carbon or HSS or M-2, I enjoy taking junk and making something cool out of it but I like to be resonably sure of what the junk is before I start. ENCO sells drill rod in W-1, O-1, and A-2 from 1/16 up to 3 inch diameter They also carry it in S-7. just my 2 cents
 
If it's high speed it won't do well in the forge, tried a couple of bits one time and they just crumbled and fell apart at welding heat.

If you want good carbon steel rods about a 1/4" dia., find a farmer that bails his own had and see if he will let you get some of his old rake teeth. They break regulary and have to be replaced. You might have to grind the paint off, but it acts like 1084-1095.
 
I forges a couple of small blades from large ball bearings about 1 inch diamiter
They tended to be brittle and rusted quickly. I made the into blades for a mate to cut worms into small bits for his pet fish. There was no load to break the blade but he left it wet and it rusted.

A good sourse is the local water and sewerage company. They will probably have their own mantenance work shop or point you to threir contractor. Lots of water pumps and motors , lots of bearings. It is just a matter of how often they trhow them out.
 
Admiral steel has 3/4" round bar of 52100,beating out ball bearings is counterproductive. Don't use drill bits,tire irons,etc. to make GOOD knives.Use quality steel,from a reliable source.You don't know what you are getting with CHEAP steel.If you want a cheap knife,go to K-mart.If you want to spend 30 hours forging a hair splitting damascus hunter,use quality steel.
There were cheaper women out there that my wife,but I'm glad I went for quality!
 
I'll agree to a point with you bladsmth, but with a little experiance and some simple test you can make excellent knives out of old steel. Hay rake teeth, John Deer load shafts, large ball bearings, old saw blades, chainsaw chains, files, ect. Only thing is you need enough material to make working up a test blade worthwhile.

For my 52100 blades I buy from Rex Walther and haven't had any bad surprises and know I'm getting good steel. I still like to experiment and play with other steels though.
 
Fork lifts use large amounts of bearings in the upright and they are sometimes replaced enmasse. A visit to the nearest forklift shop might take care of your need I am not recommending buying new ones but out of their metal dump. My shops scrap metal bins usually had 900 pounds and up of scrapped out components, just ask if you can scrounge bearings. They have to pay to have it hauled off sooo--
 
Guess I need to clarify the ball bearing thing I am looking for small 52100 bearings to add some contrast in the damascus.
Drill bit rod is a great idea as you could do a really cool pattern using different steels.
Will call a local forklift place and see whats up!
 
I enjoy using scrap and cheap steel, esp. since I''m not gong to be selling any of my work in the near future and after bills get paid I usually can't afford to buy anything- scrounging and experimenting is half the fun of this for me.
Anyway, if you want cheap steal that will harden up good, Harbor Freight has pry bars for about $2.00 that are about 1 1/2" wide and around 14" long.
 
What I can tell by re sharpening the Harbor Freight bits they sure look like M-2 from the spark. Take a look at USE Enco, they carry W-1 and O-1 in rounds as small as 1/8" for next to nothing. Easy enough to cut them up with a good pair of dikes.
 
I have used ball bearing for years and had real good success. Some do rust faster than others but all cut great. Be sure to do the brass rod test. I also like to flex the hell out of the tip to see if it breaks off or springs back. Ive never used drill bits. Always wanted to make honeycomb damascus using allen wrenches though.
 
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