Re-use of HSS drill bits

[Brian Finney]

I have some surplus HSS drill bits upto 10mm (3/8in) – looking for ideas on what they can adapted to for re-use – seems a shame to dump HSS.

Brian

[Tim Rinehart]

Resharpening out of question?? If you are a fan of hollowing, take a look at what Jeff Nicol, a Creeker, does with his bits under "special tools". http://www.woodennicol.com/tools.html

[Dennis Ford]

They make good boring bars (Oland tool?). Drill a hole in a steel bar and put the drill bit in the hole; use a set screw or just glue it in with CA. I have used broken drill bits for this, they work as good as square tool bits and are easier to fit into a hole.

[Greg Ketell]

Cut the flutes off and you have a couple of inches of good HSS that can be shaped, sharpened, and brazed onto other bars to make your own hollowing tools.

[Dale Miner]

Most standard length HSS drill bits are hardened in the flute section, and are annealed in the shank. This is done so that the jaws of the chuck can grip the bit better. When the drill bit spins in the chuck, a bit that has been annealed in the shank section will usually get scored or galled where the jaws have spun. Jobber length bits are shorter, and are usually hardened full length, and the shank section of them can be used for cutting tools.

[Brian Finney]

Thanks for the replies and sharing the expertise – looks likehollowing tools is the answer.
Brian

[Joe Meirhaeghe]

Run the fluted end into a handle up to the shank. Then grind the shank end into a skew. Round skews in the 1/4" to 3/8" are very handy.

[Brian Finney]

Thanks Joe,

Nice idea, I'll give it a go

Brian