David G. Posted April 13, 2021 Share Posted April 13, 2021 Hello everybody! I made a leaf touchmark from a 12mm annealed drill bit, my question is how should i harden and temper it? Is it possible to harden it in sunflower oil? Thanks is advance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JHCC Posted April 13, 2021 Share Posted April 13, 2021 Welcome to IFI, David G! A lot depends on the specific alloy the drill bit is made from. Do you have a cutoff or another drill from the same set that you can experiment with? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David G. Posted April 13, 2021 Author Share Posted April 13, 2021 Thanks for the fast answer. Yes i have another piece of it. As far as i know drill bits are high speed steel, am i right? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frazer Posted April 13, 2021 Share Posted April 13, 2021 Yes, generally. However, there are many different flavors. Some are oil hardening and others are hardened in air or with a stream of compressed air. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted April 13, 2021 Share Posted April 13, 2021 Some are very difficult to heat treat with "blacksmith methods". Suggestion is to test a piece first BEFORE using it for something involving a lot of work! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Sells Posted April 13, 2021 Share Posted April 13, 2021 High Speed Steel is a category not an alloy designation, could be M2 could also be other things Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
George N. M. Posted April 13, 2021 Share Posted April 13, 2021 David, generally, tools used on hot metal, including touchmarks, are not hardened and tempered because the first time you use them on hot metal it will draw the temper. Any toughness/hardness in a tool used on or in hot metal should be inherent in the type of steel, not the heat treatment. I made my touch mark from a piece of spring and it has not noticeably eroded in use. "By hammer and hand all arts do stand." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David G. Posted April 14, 2021 Author Share Posted April 14, 2021 Thank you very much for all the answers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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