Reply To: Drilling small holes in hardend steel

[Chris TickTockParticipant @christicktock]

Posted by Michael Gilligan on 17/02/2020 17:08:33:

Posted by Chris TickTock on 17/02/2020 16:50:16:

Thanks Michael but I did say I was trying to drill hardened steel. I ended up doing the job another way but the question is for future reference. Carbide drill bits are the answer but they are brittle. Your replies like most people on the forum, (though not all are unfortunately) are always polite and helpful, life hasn't obviously made you into a argumentative old git..well done.

Chris

.

Chris,

Yes, you said you were trying to drill hardened steel, and you gave an indication of drill size … BUT you didn't tell us [and still haven't told us] whether you are working on the lathe, or the mill, or what.

It's all relevant to people's understanding of the question.

I made my assumption, others have presumably made theirs …

MichaelG.

The question was open in terms of generally for clocks obviously as that's what I do so you can correctly assume small diameters up to a a few mm only. when i asked the question I did not know the answer so i could not say using a lathe or mill. Now i know the mill is best for such work. your assumption as to replacing a pivot was indeed correct however as I said the question originally asked was general but clock orientated.

Actually I am told by one clock repair guy I trust he has come across clocks have been found with soft pivots still working after a few hundred years. I ask questions always with an open mind and always parallel to doing my own research and with the help of my friends on the clock forum. Those (not you) who give unhelpful replies may miss the point that this forum is not only for exchange of knowledge but is a social portal to many that benefit from a kindly and helpful word. Unhelpful remarks will not get responded to.

Chris