What bit to drill tool steel?

[bricol]

I'm always amazed/amused how such simple issues asked about on here can get such over-complicated, expensive, time consuming and needless solutions offered, despite the easiest answer being given early on

 

[Morrisman]

I'm always amazed/amused how such simple issues asked about on here can get such over-complicated, expensive, time consuming and needless solutions offered, despite the easiest answer being given early on

If everybody used the simplest possible solution to get by in life we’d still be living in caves.

Mind you, we still might yet….

 

[Beanwood]

If everybody used the simplest possible solution to get by in life we’d still be living in caves.

Mind you, we still might yet….

View attachment 474010

Treadle lathe?

 

[not done it yet]

It was soft enough for HSS until it was work-hardened, so will likely (not certainly) still tap with a HSS tap. Otherwise, as Brad suggests.

 

[caprinut]

I'm always amazed/amused how such simple issues asked about on here can get such over-complicated, expensive, time consuming and needless solutions offered, despite the easiest answer being given early on

I'm assuming OP does have a piece of tool steel, yes I've cut holes in ball bearings using a diamond wheel sharpened masonry drill you may be able to do the same to tool steel but to cut a thread give us a break and to buy a carbide stub drill is cheaper than a diamond off hand grinding wheel. Have a local company cut a thread on an EDM is the best solution for tool steel. I've ever used one once and it is possible to build them DIY same as 3D printers and complex or not I believe this site with it's wealth of knowledge can lay open options for OP then he can decide.

 

[not done it yet]

I'm assuming OP does have a piece of tool steel, yes I've cut holes in ball bearings using a diamond wheel sharpened masonry drill you may be able to do the same to tool steel but to cut a thread give us a break and to buy a carbide stub drill is cheaper than a diamond off hand grinding wheel. Have a local company cut a thread on an EDM is the best solution for tool steel. I've ever used one once and it is possible to build them DIY same as 3D printers and complex or not I believe this site with it's wealth of knowledge can lay open options for OP then he can decide.

The simple/easy options are always worth trying first. See my post above.

 

[Beanwood]

EDM sounds really interesting - but probably a tad expensive.

 

[DAPPH]

Just guessing here ...... Do you think the metal can be annealed to soften it a tad then temper it if needed after drilling /threading . Isn't that how you cut & thread holes in tool steel ???

 

[not done it yet]

Just guessing here ...... Do you think the metal can be annealed to soften it a tad then temper it if needed after drilling /threading . Isn't that how you cut & thread holes in tool steel ???

Doubtful. Annealing is softening, as is tempering. It would need hardening, after annealing, before tempering?

 

[DAPPH]

Doubtful. Annealing is softening, as is tempering. It would need hardening, after annealing, before tempering?

Yep , I didn't think to say hardening as to me it's a natural sequence before tempering when using something like a red hot cast iron block as the tempering heat source .