Morning. I was recently at a swap meet and an older gentlemen was there selling knives he made from old 2 man saws, i liked the idea and decided to give it a shot. Getting a profile is straight forward enough and I can handle putting an edge. The struggle point is drilling pin holes in the hardened steel. I have read TONS online with varying opinions , most agree something like carbide tipped is ideal. But the type of bit varies. Was curious on what type of bit (carbide twist pit, tile/glass bit, masonry bit, etc...) that would work best to drill my 1/4" pin holes. Any and all advice is appreciated, this is more my first time making my own blades. Thank you!!!!!!!!!!
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Knives from old 2 Man Saw blades
- Thread starter WylieTaco
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unwisefool
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I would try posting this in the knifemakers section
J. Doyle
Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
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I would get a solid carbide, not carbide tipped drill bit. Don't use a ceramic or masonry bit. Screw machine length is probably best.
If your pins are actually 1/4", you'll need a letter "F" bit, not a 1/4" bit.
Two suggestions: I'd spot anneal your pin hole areas with a torch and still use a carbide bit . (Spot annealing is probably not necessary but it wouldn't hurt).
Also you might consider smaller pins. It would be easier and less expensive if you dropped down to even 3/16" pins. If you choose that route, you'll need a #12 wire gauge size bit, not 3/16".
If your pins are actually 1/4", you'll need a letter "F" bit, not a 1/4" bit.
Two suggestions: I'd spot anneal your pin hole areas with a torch and still use a carbide bit . (Spot annealing is probably not necessary but it wouldn't hurt).
Also you might consider smaller pins. It would be easier and less expensive if you dropped down to even 3/16" pins. If you choose that route, you'll need a #12 wire gauge size bit, not 3/16".
What J. Doyle said ^.
I get my carbide bits here- https://mcmaster.com/drill-bits/material~carbide/
These are the carbide bits I use when there is no starter hole already present in the steel - https://mcmaster.com/drill-bits/material~carbide/carbide-drill-bits-for-hardened-steel/
I sometimes use carbide-tipped bits, but only if I'm slightly enlarging an existing hole.
I don't think you would notice any advantage going with 1/4" pins over 3/16".
A few other things, I strongly suggest using a drill press, at slow speed. And you're going to need drilling coolant to prevent the bit from overheating. Carbide is very hard, and as a result very brittle, trying to drill with a hand drill could easily cause the bit to chip or break, and they ain't cheap. Heck, even with a drill press they can chip.
I get my carbide bits here- https://mcmaster.com/drill-bits/material~carbide/
These are the carbide bits I use when there is no starter hole already present in the steel - https://mcmaster.com/drill-bits/material~carbide/carbide-drill-bits-for-hardened-steel/
I sometimes use carbide-tipped bits, but only if I'm slightly enlarging an existing hole.
I don't think you would notice any advantage going with 1/4" pins over 3/16".
A few other things, I strongly suggest using a drill press, at slow speed. And you're going to need drilling coolant to prevent the bit from overheating. Carbide is very hard, and as a result very brittle, trying to drill with a hand drill could easily cause the bit to chip or break, and they ain't cheap. Heck, even with a drill press they can chip.