hacksaw blade, please help!

[carse]

to fit a handle to a hacksaw pick i have tried to drill a hole but it seems impossible, bit just slide off, then tried to use a punch to make a pilot hole, big mistake,it broke in several pieces.is it possible to make a hole, i was using a titanium bit but no success. any help from the pro,s ?
thanks
fanie

[Kaellman]

What kind of handle was it?

[Mad Mick]

From what he's saying, the handle is not the problem...it's making a holes in the hacksaw blade that is. The hacksaw blade is hardened, that is why it's difficult to make a hole with even a titanium bit. The centre-punch demonstrated the difficulties in working with thin hardened materials. Maybe someone else could add to/correct this, but the only way I can think of making a hole to attach a handle, is to first soften the handle part of the blade, make the necessary holes, then re-temper the blade. Would re-tempering even be necessary, as long as the shank is not softened?

[pick_maker]

No, reheating needed and is too complicated. You have one of those nasty b!tch blades which tears up bits and grind stones.

Thankfully not all hacksaw blades are that hard so shop around and get a variety. With certain brands and styles- special flexible- only the edges of the steel are tempered and hardened which leaves the center soft and drillable. Punching steel and using a cobalt or carbide tipped drill bit is the way to go.

[Romstar]

Cobalt drill is definately the way to go.

Use a center punch to start, and then drill with a 3/32 cobalt bit.

Romstar

[carse]

hi there, thank you for replying.
what do your guys use for a handle ,to get good feedback,and how does
one affix it to the pick {hacksaw}. at the moment i use insulation tape around the handle,but it looks slobby.
regards
fanie

[Mad Mick]

As far as handles go, I used to use heatshrink tubing...a couple of layers, but is does tend to dampen the feedback a little. The next lot of picks I intend to make, will be from stainless with laminated (riveted) handles, then the edges of the handles will be contoured to blend with the pick layer. The idea is still in my head and has been for a while...

*Mental note to self: Spend less time on the site.*

[Mr. Glass]

As long as you don't need the feedback you get from a bare metal handel, one way I have had alot of success making handles for various tools with is a product called Plasti Dip. You can get it at Home Depot and hardware stores. It leaves a nice rubberized coating and comes in different colors.

(If you end up using it, it adhears best if you rough up the surface a little first. It dries & can be used overnight, but finish gets alot harder after a few days. )

Really great stuff, feel free to PM me if anyone has any questions about it.

-Mr. Glass

[Kaellman]

Actually i dont use anything. I grind the picks so that fit my grip exactly. That way i get the best feedback possible.

[sonic]

If you can find an old carbon battery and take the rod out of it, you can attach it to a 12 v battery and the other post to the pick, submerge blade in water. You can then burn a hole in the blade. Shape the end of the carbon stick to a size smaller than you want.

The carbon rod does not have to come from a battery. It just needs to be a carbon rod. Old carbon batteries are just a good place to find one.

[MrB]

If you can find an old carbon battery and take the rod out of it, you can attach it to a 12 v battery and the other post to the pick, submerge blade in water. You can then burn a hole in the blade. Shape the end of the carbon stick to a size smaller than you want.

I really don't recommend doing this. Apart from the possibility of getting burns from shorting out a car battery, a carbon arc will produce lots of ultraviolet which can damage your eyes (just like arc welding will do).

Don't try this at home, kids. Use a drill.

[Mad Mick]

Would a pencil be a good substitute here, or should I just go poke my eyes out with it?