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Drill bit type

J

James Smith

Joined
Jun 13, 2008
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Location
Richmond Virginia
I'm want to make some hollowing bars out of W1 water hardened drill rod. What quality of drill bit is needed to drill this material? Will HSS work? Obviously metal working hasn't been my passion, but making my own turning tools has me willing to learn new skills.

Thanks for your time,
James
 
If the drill rod hasn't been hardened, HSS should do just fine. Just go slow and use some cutting fluid if you have it. If you go too fast and things heat up, the steel will get hard. It's never fun when that happens.

Matt
 
I agree, when you get drill rod it is soft although much harder than the cheap steels. It cuts quite well with HSS drill bits. put a few drops of oil in the hole makes it easier.
I use regular cold roll or hot roll steel for the bars on my boring bar and then use HSS inserts. You don't need drill rod for those parts. I save the drill rod for making small hollowing tools or tool rest posts.
 
James Smith
I have drilled the drill rod you mentioned with regular twist type drill bits on my drill press and on my milling machine. They cut this steel pretty easily if your bits are sharp, I sharpen mine with a drill doctor first. i usually start a center hole with a stiff centering bit, usually a 1/8" bit. If you do this the center hole will make the next bit follow the center hole and prevent the bit from walking around. Start with a 1/8" bit and move up by eights till you reach the hole size you want. The oil you use doesn't make it cut better but it keeps the bit from getting hot and ruining the bit. As you know heat is the enemy of any type tooling. I bought a cooling system for my mill but never use it. I keep a wet paint brush soaking in oil and stop and paint the bit with oil every so often. Don't skimp on oil. You mentioned something about making your turning tools? Do you have any pictures of any tools you have made for us all to enjoy?BTW I also used these same bits in my drill press chuck in my tailstock in the lathe and it works great. I chucked the drill rod in my chuck in the headstock and drilled, bored, the bottom. Good Luck Mitch
 
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