Need help with g11

[hellgap]

I just finished a knife with g11 handle material . This is what happened I drilled it against a piece of maple the exit hole when the drill come through kinda like shattered its way out I went slow. and I cant sand it down cuzz . I tried to use super glue and that didnt fill in the shatter marks. Was mt drill bit dull ?????????? What went wrong.

 

[Patrickknives]

I drill my holes pretty early just to prevent this problem. I will typically drill through a piece of leather backed by wood. I think that give a little more support. I use sharp bits and when I feel the bit going through I go very slow to where it just cuts that last little bit and doesnt break. The real key I think is to drill the blocks and then shape, the holes arnt going anywhere.

 

[gixxer]

ditto on the use of sharp bits and going real slow at the end. you already have the backing block covered, do you clamp down the piece to the block or do you hold it? That makes a difference too. I always clamp parts onthe drill press no matter what. I use one of those deep jaw vise grips used for welding with the swivel jaw pads.

Since 1/8" (or whatever size you are using for pin holes) bits are relatively inexpensive, buy em at least 10 at a time then change up every so often. Even mark em as ones for steel and ones for handle material so you know.

Drilling holes is the second thing I do after making sure the mating surfaces are flat to the tang. No removal till that is done.

 

[dillon_b12]

You also try drilling halfway through, flipping the piece and drilling the rest of the way. You will have to make damn sure you are drilling in the same place but it should definitely help stop the cracking problems.

 

[oldwolf]

You also try drilling halfway through, flipping the piece and drilling the rest of the way. You will have to make damn sure you are drilling in the same place but it should definitely help stop the cracking problems.

If you drill first with a smaller drill, then drill halfway with the bigger one and flip to the other side it should help, but use sharp bits too.