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jharvey1309

jharvey1309

Member
Joined
Jun 30, 2008
Messages
136
Location
Holstein, Ontario, Canada.
I'm sure we have all encounter this. Your getting blanks ready for the next day so you drill 5 - 10 blanks at a time. Only problem with this is the drill bits get very very hot. I usually wait after about every third blank for my bit to cool down a bit, but was wondering if I really need to. Will a bit that gets too hot loose it's sharpness? I'm also wondering if you could quench the bit in water to help the cooling process? I can't remember if it's ok with HSS or not.
 
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I use the shop vac with a fixed nozzle near to pull off the dust. The moving air around the bit helps cool it much quicker. Sometimes I use the air compressor if the shop vac isn't connected.
 
Yes, heat will dull it quick. If air is blowing over it and it is getting hot, then the air is not doing it any good.

Personally, when I do several at the same time, I do one and find something to do for a minute or two between blanks and do another.

On snakewood and other hard brittle woods, I do 1/8 inch at a time. I will spend an hour on one or might spread the drilling out over 2 or 3 days. This is not uncommon for those who understand wood and strive for a fine pen.
 
CHICAGOHAND said:
When drilling acrylic I use a small squirt bottle with water to cool the bit and the blank. Seems to work great.
Click to expand...

I do the same but I add a little liquid dish soap as water does make for a decent coolant but alone, a very poor lubricant. When drilling hard woods, I use an aerosol drilling lubricant which leaves no residue.
 
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