Anyone used drills like these?

[Simpo Two]

For large holes I have a set of flat bits, but they're a pretty rough and ready answer.

By contrast twist drills give a cleaner hole more easily because they cut rather than scrape - but has anyone used a set of mofos like these?

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Metric-Sizes-Reduced-Shan...

Do they look like they'll go blunt after the first use?

[Simpo Two]

southendpier said:

these worked well for me on a recent project:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/EXGOX-Speed-Steel-Cutter-...

Not much use for a parallel sided hole any more than a few mm deep though.

ARHarh said:

It depends what you are drilling. For Wood use a forstner bit, for sheet metal use a step drill, for metal more than 3mm they will.be fine.

Wood. I have a Forstner bit, for when holes need flat bottoms (I went through a phase of making tealight holders). But the horizontal cutters, which are basically the same as a flat bit, go blunt with disappointing rapidity.

I'm reminded of my father, who somehow bored a hole right down the middle of a 5' narwhal tusk. God knows how he did it! I still have it.

[Simpo Two]

Evoluzione said:

It depends exactly what you're doing 'drilling wood' isn't very specific.
The bits you linked to are just normal twist bits, nothing special.
If you're having problems you've either selected the wrong tool or maybe they are blunt.

Yes, they're just rather bigger than normal twist drills!

Flat bits drill holes but they scrape rather than cut and are just a bit nasty to use.

Slackline said:

And piloting up to the final diameter will be kinder on the drill if it only has a half inch chuck.

That's a fair idea, as long as losing the centre is OK. I hadn't thought of the extra load on the drill.

Maybe I'll wait until I actually need them...!

[Simpo Two]

jrb43 said:

Gave a good anaesthetic first I imagine...

He would have had some in stock - but probably not enough for a whale.

The obvious answer is to put it on a lathe and shove an auger through the headstock - but his lathe wasn't long enough for that. Maybe he found someone with a longer one!

What do other people do with their narwhal tusks?