Thread: Can't drill the tang....

OK, so I've worked on one or two DAs in my day.....

Now, I usually simply drill out the existing tang hole to be able to fit my standard 2-56 screws for mounting the blade. Usually this is a 1-2 second proceedure, no fuss, no drama. But not this time. I tried three different drill bits, but can't make a dent in it (snapped two of them...). Is this the Super DA, Rockwell hardness of 72 or something?

Anyhow, just sharing my frustration.

Crazy... Not even a dent... Hmm I don't have a clue, do you use some kind of cutting oil? Shouldn't need it, but maybe it could help.

On a side note, i'd like to know what steps you take to make sure that your hole gets lined up to be perfectly perpendicular to the plane of the blade. I think many would be interested in this part of your process.

I sounds like a solid carbide drill bit is what you need, (I am assuming that you are using some sort of HSS ). Maybe it is cheaper to buy another DA?

You could try the trick of spot annealing. Set your blade up on the drill press and make ready to drill, but instead of a drill bit use a piece of metal with a flat bottom. (cut off nail). Run the drill press at high speed and press the nail into the blade and let the friction heat up the spot you want to drill. You should be able to get that one spot pretty hot with friction. Let it cool slowly then try drilling again with a HSS bit.

Charlie

+1 on the carbide bit. I've also had good luck going slow with a cobalt bit. Don't forget the oil.

Originally Posted by spazola

I sounds like a solid carbide drill bit is what you need, (I am assuming that you are using some sort of HSS ). Maybe it is cheaper to buy another DA?

You could try the trick of spot annealing. Set your blade up on the drill press and make ready to drill, but instead of a drill bit use a piece of metal with a flat bottom. (cut off nail). Run the drill press at high speed and press the nail into the blade and let the friction heat up the spot you want to drill. You should be able to get that one spot pretty hot with friction. Let it cool slowly then try drilling again with a HSS bit.

Charlie

I tried doing something like this- I wrapped the main body of the blade with a soaking wet paper towel, then hit up the tang hole with a propane torch for a few seconds, hoping to anneal it a bit. Went back to the drill press, and same old story. I may have to be a bit more aggressive.

I would simply move on the another DA, but I have already done most of my mods on this one, so I have a fair bit of effort already invested.

It is odd, as I have never run into this issue on any razor I have drilled the tang on, DAs, Solingen, Sheffield....nada.

Originally Posted by Del1r1um

Crazy... Not even a dent... Hmm I don't have a clue, do you use some kind of cutting oil? Shouldn't need it, but maybe it could help.

On a side note, i'd like to know what steps you take to make sure that your hole gets lined up to be perfectly perpendicular to the plane of the blade. I think many would be interested in this part of your process.

I don't sweat getting it perfect, I just allow for clearance in the hole.

Give the friction way a try the heat is much more locallized than with a torch. Make sure and let it cool slowly

Charlie

Originally Posted by spazola

Give the friction way a try the heat is much more locallized than with a torch. Make sure and let it cool slowly

Charlie

Aha, I did a water quench immediately after torching it. Perhaps that was the prob???

Are you using a hand drill?? If so,( and I don't want you to take this the wrong way) make sure your not in reverse. I have drill out some pins and the steel was soft as butter.

Originally Posted by turbine712

Are you using a hand drill?? If so,( and I don't want you to take this the wrong way) make sure your not in reverse. I have drill out some pins and the steel was soft as butter.

HA!

No, I use a drill press, and every other time I've drilled out a tang it has been butter soft, as you say.

But not this time....