Widening some holes?

J

Jamison

Joined
Jan 10, 2004
Messages
7
I’m sure if this is the right forum to ask this. If it’s not please will a kind moderator please move it as they see fit? I’m trying to modify a Victorinox Tinker. One of the requirements is that the holes in the tools need to have their holes enlarged to an 8th inch because that’s the smallest barrel pivots I could find. I don’t have much to work with, just a bench vice and cordless drill. I purchased some drill bits and lubricant from the local Fastenal, but things are going slow. I stopped trying, not even finishing the first hole, to rethink what I could do and go over my options.

After some reading, the drill bit I’m using is either cobolt or HHS, but I can’t say. It seems that I should be using a carbide bit. Further searching ledme to this, this and this one. I’m thinking about ordering the carbide tipped bit from USA Knife Maker to save a few dollars. How well will that bit work at widening the holes? Should I look harder at the others? I know I don’t have the proper tools, but what should I know before I get it chucked up and start using it? Can you guys give me some tips? Or, should I bite the bullet and go to a local shop? Thanks!
 
Using a vise and a cordless drill with a solid carbide 1/8" drill is not a good idea. Carbide is extremely brittle and the tiniest wobble will cause something that small to break. You might make it with the carbide tipped drills as the shaft is some kind of tool steel. I doubt your holes will be perfect. If the holes are not to much under sized now you might want to try a small tapered diamond file or small diamond coated rotary bits for a dremel in your drill.
 
Thanks guys. I was thinking what I have to work with, it would be possible, but definitely not ideal. How well would a masonry bit work as Justin suggested? How much pressure would I have to put on the drill? How long would it take to do one hole?
 
Hell man, I could probably answer all those questions, but I left my crystal ball at the other shop...

The third bit you link to would probably be your bet bet.

I don't know where you live in SC, but if you find yourself near Mooresville NC, you could drop by and I'd pop them in there for you real quick no charge. Or, actually, I'd set you up and you'd pop them in there...
 
Jamison said:
Thanks guys. I was thinking what I have to work with, it would be possible, but definitely not ideal. How well would a masonry bit work as Justin suggested? How much pressure would I have to put on the drill? How long would it take to do one hole?
Click to expand...

The type of bit I mentioned has worked for me in the past when I have faced the same situation, but they are usually good for one or two holes at best before they lose their edge.
I used one (Bosch brand) the other day to bore two 1/8" holes to 1/4" on a hardened A2 blade, so I know they work. How well they will work with your setup, particularly the hand drill, is hard to predict.
 
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It doesn't look good. Two holes before it starts loosing it's edge? I have 6 holes I need drilling, possibly 9. It seems I really need to find somebody with a drill press or bite the bullet. I know this is probably a difficult question to answer, but even if I could find somebody that would let me use their drill press and and used lubricant, how many holes could I get with one of the bits I linked to above before I needed a new one?
 
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