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I need to drill into high speed steel

2K views 21 replies 13 participants last post by  Andybb 
#1 · (Edited by Moderator)
I need to drill an 11/64 hole into HSS to tap and attach a carbide cutter onto a lathe tool that I fashioned. What kind of bit will do that? (nothing that I have seems to work.)
 
#8 ·
Well, if the HSS is hardened, you might get a carbide drill to put the hoke in, but you won't be able to tap hardened steel. What you can do it drill a clearance hole for the screw and put a nut on the bottom, if there is enough room inside a hollow form for the nut on the bottom

But if the HSS is NOT hardened, you can drill and tap it quite easily with a twist drill and you have to be very sure the tap is going straight into the hole.! I use low carbon steel when I make bars to hold carbide inserts.

Cheers, Jim
 
#12 ·
Can't anneal HSS at home. Can't harden it at home either. It ain't like tool steel.

Long story short Andy, you might get it drilled. You won't get it tapped. Sorry man.
 
#14 ·
Can't anneal HSS at home. Can't harden it at home either. It ain't like tool steel.

Long story short Andy, you might get it drilled. You won't get it tapped. Sorry man.

- HokieKen

That s the bottom line.

- Foghorn
why do you need to use (hardened or non hardened) HSS as a tool holder (there is no much value in that)? can you use regular tool/stainless steel?
 
#15 · (Edited by Moderator)
Can't anneal HSS at home. Can't harden it at home either. It ain't like tool steel.

Long story short Andy, you might get it drilled. You won't get it tapped. Sorry man.

- HokieKen

That s the bottom line.

- Foghorn

why do you need to use (hardened or non hardened) HSS as a tool holder (there is no much value in that)? can you use regular tool/stainless steel?

- PurpLev
Got it. Ain't gonna work so I'll give up on that and find some stainless that I can drill and tap. Thanks for saving me the effort guys!!

It was just an idea. I don't need to use HSS. I just had an old small gouge laying around and no tool steel or stainless and no metal lathe.

How about a fat old screwdriver shaft?
 
#16 ·
Possibly, depends on the screwdriver Andy. I'd just take a file or drill to it and see if it seems like it will cooperate.

My recommendation would be 303 Stainless if you decide to purchase stock. It's plenty strong, it machines well and it's pretty corrosion resistant and non-magnetic. I prefer SST due to the humidity and rust around here. If that's not an issue for you, some low carbon steel will do just fine.
 
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