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Are there any machinists available?

I am having an awful time trying to drill 440C stainless. Can anyone give me suggestions? I am looking for somewhere to purchase drill bits for stainless steel. I am looking for top quality bits that are not going to be found at the local Home Depot or Lowe's (I have already tried these). I have found a company called OSG that offers specialty bits for stainless steel; but, I cannot find anywhere that offers them for sale to the public.

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Permalink Reply by Mike Carter on February 15, 2010 at 16:34

It sounds like you are trying to drill steel that has been hardened. In that case only a carbide bit will do it as the steel is going to be as hard as normal drill bits.

Is this on a finished knife? If not, you can anneal the steel by heating it to a dull cherry red and letting it cool slowly. This will soften the steel enough to be drilled with normal bits. Of course if the holes are in the area of the blade you will want to heat treat it and harden it again.

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Permalink Reply by Randy, HHH Knives on February 15, 2010 at 16:43

I WOULD HAVE TO AGREE WITH MIKE ON THIS ONE AND SAY THAT A CARBIDE BIT IS THE ONLY WAY TO GO.
!!cap locks!! lol

Slow drill speed and steady pressure. with coolant. Good luck!

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Permalink Reply by Mike Carter on February 15, 2010 at 17:56

A note of warning: Carbide bits are VERY brittle and will snap easily if not drilling prefectly straight.

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Permalink Reply by Gary Moore on February 16, 2010 at 12:08

Thank you Mike for your reply. I took a chance on a carbide tipped masonry bit and I have won my battle. This task has made quite an impresion on me. I have a new found respect for "hardened or finished" blade steel. I am actually embarrassed that I thought that I could drill this blade so easily....I know enough about steel and blade steel to know better. Thanks again for your help.

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Permalink Reply by D ale on February 18, 2010 at 11:47

Wow ... so you ended up having success w/ a carbide tipped masonry drill. Saw that approach mentioned in a couple machinist blogs ... but didn't lend that much credence to it. Shame on me.

Cool ... ya got it !!!

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Permalink Reply by Slade Ingram on April 16, 2010 at 21:55

Google up "Enco tools". They have a very wide selection that you can buy.

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Permalink Reply by Gary Moore on April 19, 2010 at 9:02

Thanks for the tip Slade. I am going to check out Enco.

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Permalink Reply by BILL AKERS on July 28, 2010 at 16:48

try this link, if you go slow it will go threw hardened steel like butter!!
http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-ARTU-DRILL-BIT-1-4-01030-/220633139103?cmd=...

the brand is artu

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Permalink Reply by Jan Dox on June 27, 2011 at 8:29

there is a difference between masonry drill bits and concrete drill bits. Masonry bits have a sharp cutting edge on the carbide tip and concrete drills have a carbide tip that is shaped diffrently for taking the beating from an electropneumatic machine such as a HILTI hammer drill.

Jan

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Permalink Reply by Robert Burris on June 27, 2011 at 10:45

A store that sells heavy duty sheet metal roofing will sell carbide drill bits. If there's a store near you check it out.

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Permalink Reply by Herb Hoover on May 30, 2012 at 12:20

Diffrent size bits cut at diffrent speeds. A drill press helps for proper speed and holding bitt straight. Nothing can move or the bitt breaks. about 800 rpm works for most knife making speeds.