t1mpani
Platinum Member
- Joined
- Jun 6, 2002
- Messages
- 5,536
Well, specifically I don't know how to get through the ridiculously hard material I'm drilling.
I told my sister I'd re-handle a WÜSTHOFs carving knife and fork set in mesquite for her husband. The factory handle scales came off in about thirty seconds. I'm now trying to drill the holes out to fit my corby rivets, and I have inadvertently discovered a new material----indestructanium. My cobalt and titanium coated bits won't TOUCH it! They made a nice little bevel around the edge of the hole, and then that's it. I'm quenching about every five seconds to keep the heat down, using the slowest rpm setup on my drill press, and am using a cutting oil. And yes, I started with smaller bits to work my way up in the hole, but after the first two size increases I can't go anywhere. Absolutely no exaggeration--I've been working on one side of the hole for the past forty-five minutes, and my caliper tells me I've descended just under 1/100".
Now, I'm guessing that because their tangs are so thin, they leave them fully hard so they won't bend and only temper their blades, but still!!? This is going to be something like 440A. Even at max hardness, my M2 drill bits covered with 70 HRC + coatings (and yes, I'm using new bits) should just eat it for breakfast.
Admittedly, this is mostly a rant but for heaven's sake if anybody can give me a helpful hint (I've reached the point where farm animal sacrifices will be readily considered) I'm all ears.
I told my sister I'd re-handle a WÜSTHOFs carving knife and fork set in mesquite for her husband. The factory handle scales came off in about thirty seconds. I'm now trying to drill the holes out to fit my corby rivets, and I have inadvertently discovered a new material----indestructanium. My cobalt and titanium coated bits won't TOUCH it! They made a nice little bevel around the edge of the hole, and then that's it. I'm quenching about every five seconds to keep the heat down, using the slowest rpm setup on my drill press, and am using a cutting oil. And yes, I started with smaller bits to work my way up in the hole, but after the first two size increases I can't go anywhere. Absolutely no exaggeration--I've been working on one side of the hole for the past forty-five minutes, and my caliper tells me I've descended just under 1/100".
Now, I'm guessing that because their tangs are so thin, they leave them fully hard so they won't bend and only temper their blades, but still!!? This is going to be something like 440A. Even at max hardness, my M2 drill bits covered with 70 HRC + coatings (and yes, I'm using new bits) should just eat it for breakfast.
Admittedly, this is mostly a rant but for heaven's sake if anybody can give me a helpful hint (I've reached the point where farm animal sacrifices will be readily considered) I'm all ears.
Dan
