Sourcing blacksmith's drill bit

[pondok]

Hi all,

Yes again another capacity issue, I need to drill 14mm, but my press drill chuck can only take 10mm shank max, just can't seem to find a 14mm blacksmith's drill on t'internet with 10mm or smaller shank. Has anyone else sourced this or similar?
Thanks again,
Andy

[chester]

Hi Andy you can always turn the shank down to suit the size of the chuck you are using i have found the shanks of taper shank drills can be turned down with a high speed tool as long as you go slowly.Graham

[pondok]

Thanks Graham,, I will give that a go, assumed in my ignorance I would need carbide inserts or something...

[jma1009]

hi andy,

a most interesting problem! i also like Graham have lots of large drills with the shanks turned down. i cant say whether they are carbon steel or HSS as they dont get used very often - coupling rods mainly.

the quickest way out is to visit someone with a BIG pillar drill!

i do have a drill pad for my lathe so in theory big drills can go in the 3-jaw, though i cant say ive ever used it.

cheers,
julian

[springcrocus]

Back in the days when the likes of Dormer and Presto reigned supreme, I'm fairly certain that all taper shank drills (and reamers) as well as plain-shank drills over a certain size had mild steel shanks butt-welded to the high-speed steel fluted section. Often, a close examination of the shank will reveal a change in shade where the butt-weld has been made. I have never had any problem turning down shanks of drills or reamers using high speed steel tooling although the shank material feels like it's up in the EN16 range. In fact, I have turned down a 1" long section of all my smaller taper-shank reamers (up to 1/2") so that I can use them in either my drill chuck or directly in the tailstock barrel of the lathe.

I can't speak for the more modern rubbish coming in from afar, though.

Steve

[ettingtonliam]

I think you will have to turn the shank down anyway, because all the blacksmith type drills I've got have 1/2" shanks.

[goldstar31]

Steve is or was right. HSS drills CAN or could be turned down or bored. The HSS was soft enough to machine.

I've still long extended drills which were used for the long bores on bagpipes. Mine were silver soldered.

However two alternatives seem to be either to buy carbide- masonry drills or make D Bits from silver steel.

Hope this helps


Norman

[eightpot]

Only thing that could cause problems - depending on the material to be drilled - is that a machine with only a 10 mm capacity chuck could have a lowest speed that is still too fast for the side of drill.

[taycat]

How far from Leeds are you?
You can come use my gear if you want.
So long as you don't mind the mess as having big sort out.

[arron]

Hi Andrew

Easiest way is to pop over and use my mill, I'll get the kettle on!

Arron

[denis M]

Try Warco, they do or did do them in sets.

Denis