Do I "need" step drill bits

Fletch Helical

Fletch Helical

Joined
Sep 29, 2009
Messages
1,614
Or can I drill holes for Corbys with 2 different sized bits? I'm sure one is easier than the other but is it hard to actually do both holes with 2 bits? I was planning on doing the smaller hole first then use the bigger bit.
 
The step drills are nice because they leave a flat bottom on the larger hole for the "step".

Shawn
 
Anyone have a good source for those bits. They seem really expensive. I was hoping to find a set at a relatively reasonable price.
 
I have "converted" a couple twist bits with good results. Just turn down the tip to the size you need. Buy a couple, sure to screw one up.

Paul
 
It will be easier to drill the larger hole first then use the point at the bottom to drill the smaller hole. If you drill the small hole first you might have a hard time getting the bit centered over the hole and chip out could happen.
 
The BEST way to do it is with a counter bore. It leaves a flat bottom and you know with out a doubt that the holes will line up because the counter bore has to have a pilot hole (the small bit first). In my opinion the other ways are like rolling dice, you get what you get. And one will last for a long long while. All you need to buy is cheap drill bits for the pilot hole. well worth the money.
 
I use an end mill, but that's slightly perilous on a DP. (I usually use the mill. Usually. ;) )

Dave
 
According to Tracy's website it recommends drilling the smaller hole first then drilling the holes for the shoulders. I was thinking about drilling a small pilot hole first through both scales, maybe like an 1/8 bit. Then drilling the bolt holes, then the shoulder ones. I was thinking with the pilot hole first it might help eliminate chip outs?

Anyone have any thoughts on this, or am I just making more work for nothing?
 
I drill the big hole first on a drill press for the simple fact that if you have a small hole already, the larger drill likes to "screw" itself straight through the handle material.
 
Fletch Helical said:
According to Tracy's website it recommends drilling the smaller hole first then drilling the holes for the shoulders. I was thinking about drilling a small pilot hole first through both scales, maybe like an 1/8 bit. Then drilling the bolt holes, then the shoulder ones. I was thinking with the pilot hole first it might help eliminate chip outs?

Anyone have any thoughts on this, or am I just making more work for nothing?
Click to expand...

That is how you do it. But I dont drill with a bigger bit Just the counter bore and have never had a chip out.
 
Step drills can be a pain in the ass in a drill press. They like to grab and pull. I've started drilling with a step drill on the milling machine. The knife handle is secured in the vise and centering is much easier. You can run it slow so not to chip out the sides of the hole.
Scott
 
Here's how I do it. I first glue one handle scale on the blade and clamp it. Drill a pilot hole from the blade side. (A piece of masking tape on the scale will help stop chip-out.) Then from the scale side use a step drill. ( You can get them from TKS, I've been using the same one for 5 years.) Now glue on the other scale. Use the small hole on the first scale as a guide to drill the second scale. Then come back with the step drill. Just a note here I drill my guide holes the same size as the small part of the step drill that way when I go back with the step drill the small part of the step drill does no cutting its just a guide for the step. That way everything has to line up. Then just grind to taste.
 
regular drill bit for the small hole and a counterbore for the bigger. It is worth the expense cause you will use it every time you use corbys. Later on when you get fishy and want to install big torx head screws for a hard use knife and want the torx look you can probably use the same counterbore.
 
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