Mod thwarted...by steel. Dang its strong properties!!!

[Fattsgalore]

My mod idea has been thawrted by me not being able to drill through steel. My idea was interesting.

Had plans to replace the CS/phil with this. Just shaping it to fit was hours of work.

Unfortunately I dont have proper tools or materials to finish. Its pretty much put the kibosh on it.
Guess it'll be side lined till a later date.
Was going to look cool.

It's crooked in this pic, but nothing is fitted properly, and to top it off I ruined the liner trying to use it as a pilot hole.
Guess my beater SAK is now a parts SAK...My new beater is a Bantam. I like the Bantam.

[lowtech]

Nice idea!

[Random Dan]

Yeah, steel is a smurf to work with. Neat mod idea though!

[Syph007]

You just need a carbide drill bit.  It will punch through that easy. Or heat it to red hot sith a torch Nd that will soften it for a normal bit.  But the temper is ruined at that point.

[Fattsgalore]

Carbide drill bit, got it...Now all I need is funds.   
Well it's not going anywhere, but disappointed I have to sideline this project. Hate leaving things unfinished. Will post again when it's completed.


Has anyone attempted/accomplished this mod before?

[PTRSAK]

great idea.  I'm pinching it and putting it on my "to-do" list 

[Fattsgalore]

great idea.  I'm pinching it and putting it on my "to-do" list 

Cool...Since you'll actually complete the task.
Maybe throw some honorable mention my way.

[JAfromMn]

You just need a carbide drill bit.  It will punch through that easy. Or heat it to red hot sith a torch Nd that will soften it for a normal bit.  But the temper is ruined at that point.

I can't add anything more than what Syph007 already said.

this is what I would do

 

[n4vgm]

Think of it as "Mod Interrupted"   

[Metropolicity]

Damn! That's a great idea! I worry about the brass being too soft for torque. Maybe a steel pin when you get 'er done?


There is always a way, hack on!

[Mr. Whippy]

Damn! That's a great idea! I worry about the brass being too soft for torque. Maybe a steel pin when you get 'er done?


There is always a way, hack on!

YES!  absolutely. I cut right through a brass pin on a 111mm Vic backside Phillips.  The Al liners give no support really and the back spring will cut right through.  I replaced it with a hardened steel pin.

[Metropolicity]

Damn! That's a great idea! I worry about the brass being too soft for torque. Maybe a steel pin when you get 'er done?


There is always a way, hack on!

YES!  absolutely. I cut right through a brass pin on a 111mm Vic backside Phillips.  The Al liners give no support really and the back spring will cut right through.  I replaced it with a hardened steel pin.

I've only ever used my phillips for light duty, nothing really critical. Good to know its a massive failure point

[Fattsgalore]

I don't see the back pin being an issue with my mod or the back phillips. I view SAKs of all sizes as light to medium duty tools. Heavy duty task are best left to dedicated tools IMO.
Plus I have enough trouble just attempting to drill the hole in the shank of the 1/4 socket driver. Don't need another layer to complicates things even further.

Dang I want to wrap this up project...

[Syph007]

Damn! That's a great idea! I worry about the brass being too soft for torque. Maybe a steel pin when you get 'er done?


There is always a way, hack on!

YES!  absolutely. I cut right through a brass pin on a 111mm Vic backside Phillips.  The Al liners give no support really and the back spring will cut right through.  I replaced it with a hardened steel pin.

Yes the Al liners are very very soft. I suspect the brass pin could take alot of punishment if the liners were a better material.

[hiraethus]

Like the idea of a 1/4" drive on a SAK.  Me and a buddy were discussing it recently, trying to work out if it's possible.  Might have to pinch the idea for a mod later.

I've been trying different bits on stainless tools and springs too - HSS and cobalt aren't up to it, so I've ordered some carbide drills instead.  About £5 each in the UK off ebay.

[PTRSAK]

Like the idea of a 1/4" drive on a SAK.  Me and a buddy were discussing it recently, trying to work out if it's possible.  Might have to pinch the idea for a mod later.

I've been trying different bits on stainless tools and springs too - HSS and cobalt aren't up to it, so I've ordered some carbide drills instead.  About £5 each in the UK off ebay.

Have a look at these.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/300889133342?

they are the ones I use and they are cheap as chips compared to 5 quid each.  and they aren't crap either.

[hiraethus]

That is cheap. I'll give them a go for the next batch of drills.