- Joined
- Jul 30, 2012
- Messages
- 575
After making my first Slip Joint a few months ago I was wondering when is it best to load the spring. Before or after HT or doesn't it matter.
Thanks
Thanks
Great idea putting two holes in the butt end of the spring! That would have saved me quite a few sets of boogered up liners.
Why are you drilling hardened springs?
MA Ford twister hiroc drills are my usual choice for drilling hard steel. I'll use them if I change my mind and decide on using bigger pins. About the only thing that will successfully ream out holes in a hardened tang. They are expensive (a single 1/8" drill is about $20) but they are very good. I've drilled through files and taps with them before.
That said I'd still be inclined to drill all the holes before HT. If the holes Shrinking after HT becomes an issue, a set of plus and minus reamers (thou over and thou under of each size) can prevent that easily enough
I'll give them a try sometime! I've always used the hirocs as they are what the supplier I usually deal with sells, and most of my tooling is either kennametal or MA Ford.The reason I mentioned the straight flute notched tip drills specifically is because they leave much more round holes that any twist drill I've seem, carbide or otherwise, especially for new holes. Otherwise, most good quality solid carbide drills I've tried will drill hard steel fine, but reaming even with carbide reamers can be tricky if the hole ends up sloppy in my experience.
FWIW I like BestCarbide AlTiN coated cutters, I've been using them for a few years and they've performed as well or better than any of the more ubiquitous brands I've tried, and they offer all sizes of this type of drill.