Large Model Association Forum

Hi,
Do any of the engineering members out there know the name of the (or do they even still exist?) drills that were used on Inconel, Nimonic or other high nickel content super alloys?
They were triangular in section and slightly fluted and would only cut once reaching cherry red from friction when they would slice through like a hot knife in butter.
Drilling the single crystal alloys is done with lasers so perhaps they are no longer needed.
Thanks in anticipation
Alan

stallite drills, orrid stuff, eats carbide alive, wevspark errode much of our hi temp nimonics alloys, as a matter of interest, the tailplane leading edges of the tornado are inconol covered, drill by hand, wonder how many drills they went through

Stellite drills - there the ones - thanks for that Alan

Ah - you mean these things. I often wondered what they were for!

Chris

That's them - I knew I hadn't imagined it all!
Alan

What rpm did they turn at to cut through those materials?

we ran 6mm ones at high revs, for us, 1800 rpm, important thing was the keep a fair even pressure, use no coolants, and dont bottle out when all goes bright red, thats when they start to work

Have I misread things? Are these bits only good for one hole each? Expensive!

Dave

yup, but they do sharpen, but i have not used one for many years, if you wish, i will enquire with our tool guy, he has finger on the pulse with anything that comes on the market, so much is out there now,