Drilling steel question?

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Forest fella

Full Member
Jul 2, 2008
2,943
223
Gloucestershire
Hi, I want to drill a 10 Mill hole through a knife made from 1095 Carbon Steel,The Problem is that it is hardened already,it has a Rockwell test of 58,I want to know what sort of drill bit I need to do this,or can anybody do it for me.
Many thanks
 
Tungsten carbide drill low speed lots of pressure and some oil for cooling .should get you through but don't rush as you'll heat up the drill and lose the temper.
 
tungsten carbide bit, if yo-u can find a glass cutting bit i find it's woked wefll in the past. Low speed, high pressure, lots of soluble oil. dpon't try and drill all the way through, plug at it, drill a little, remove the drill, re lubricate, drill a litlle, remove ad infinitum.

failing that, you could try to anneal that piece of the steel, or the whole piece if neccessary
 
Also might be pointing out the obvious but drill the hole in a appreciating sizes, start small and get bigger, makes it a little easier :)

Cromwells and Screwfix do cobalt drill bits for decent money, not 100% on their suitability for that task though.
 

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