Date:         Sun, 20 May 2018 08:36:45 -0700
Reply-To:     thewestyman <zolo@FOXINTERNET.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         thewestyman <zolo@FOXINTERNET.NET>
Subject:      Re: Trying to drill out bolt ...
Comments: To: Alistair Bell <albell@SHAW.CA>
In-Reply-To:  <A71B86BA-7C12-4414-9B88-B463A8F10A5E@shaw.ca>
Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset="UTF-8"; reply-type=original

Alistair,

Yes, I could make a nice center punch hole, yet I can't even start a
miniscule of shaving.  And I have tried several small drills, 1/8 sizes.
Tried slow, fast.  Did not use any cutting oil though.  That might help to
start it.
I even heated it up, hoping that would make it softer.  Probably made it
harder.
Last week I drilled one out without any trouble.
This cobalt drill does not have a grade written on it.
I think, there are 35 and 42 grades.
These are new drills, well ground, not pushing.

Zoltan


-----Original Message-----
From: Alistair Bell
Sent: Saturday, May 19, 2018 9:18 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: Trying to drill out bolt ...

What bolt is this?

There are drill bits and there are drill bits.

Cobalt by itself means little unless backed up by some numbers and a good
brand.

If you can make a punch mark with a centre punch on the bolt, then you can
drill it.

Start with small drill bit, use cutting oil, plenty. Does it bite?

Sometimes you can work harden what you are trying to drill. Usually that’s
because of dull bit, too fast, no cutting fluid.

It happens in stainless sometimes. Swap out bit, try again slower.

Alistair


> On May 19, 2018, at 9:10 PM, thewestyman <zolo@FOXINTERNET.NET> wrote:
>
> Yup, trying but I can’t even start it, so hard.
> I have no idea what makes it hard like glass, but the cobalt drill won’t
> even start any shaving.
> This cobalt drill is from Home Depot.  Maybe there is one harder than
> this.
> Anyone has an idea what to do?
> I have already installed the head, would not like to take it off.
>
> Best regards to the Great List,
> Zoltan