Awl From an Old Drill Bit
I do a little metal smiting, woodworking, plastic and leather working. I use awls for hole locations and scribing lines.
I enjoy using unique items in my hobbies and if I can make these unique items ...then all the better.
Never had luck sharpening drill bits, plus I can not throw anything away.
So... combine these two aspects together and I repurpose into something I like.
I have to say that the brass handles really give a nice feel to these tools.
I grind down drill bitts and add handles to them to use as awls
the awls I am showing in this instructable are using solid brass door handles.
Supplies
Awl
Drills
- 3 1/2 inch length by 13/64 inch diameter
- 6 1/4 inch length by 1/4 inch diameter
Handles
Solid brass door handle / knobs
- 1 1/8 inch height by 1 1/4 inch diameter
Embellishments
- brass hose barbs
- Stainless steel spring
Tools
Tools
- Ear protection
- cordless drill
- 6 inch grinder with coarse stone wheel
- water can - for cooling
- wooden clamp
- Drill bits for drilling undersize hole in handle to seat the drill awl
- 13/64 inch diameter
- 1/4 inch diameter
- bench vise to set the handle on the drill awl
- gel glue to hold the handle and the awl together
- Hammer = preferably something that will not mark the brass - I used my poly mallet
Grind Drill Bit
Start by mounting the drill bit in cordless drill (keep it in right twist mode)
Using the drill with the grinder helps keep the point centered.
I used my 6 inch bench grinders coarse stone with the rotation towards the ground
Make sure a can of water is available to dip the drill in to keep cool.
I really do not use my awls for steel, so I do not harden and temper to use them.
plus I hand push the awl and do not strike it with a hammer.
If this is something you intend to do --- strike with hammer, I would suggest learning how to treat the steel bit.
I grind at an approximately 20 degree angle.. in relation of the drill to the grinding wheel.
The end taper is a preference -- but you will need a point.
You could also put some flats on the end if you need, I do not
So grind to a preferred taper.
Optional
I remove from the drill and I hand hold the drill and run it across the grinder and emery paper to remove the burrs.
Drill Out Handle
In drilling out the handles, I wanted to undersize the hole in relation to drill awl to get a press fit.
I did not get as much oversizing as I thought I would - perhaps since there was already a pilot hole and the brass is soft.
In this instructable
- Drill bits for drilling undersize hole in handle to seat the drill awl
- 13/64 inch diameter for the 13/64 inch drill awl
- 1/4 inch diameter for the 1/4 inch drill awl
Using my cordless drill, I held the handle/know in a wooden clamp.
These brass handles / knobs drill fairly well, since they already are drilled for the screw, plus they are brass.
Press Handle on Drill Awl and Add Embellishment
Add a little gel glue in the hole of the handle
Holding the awl in the bench vise I tap on the handle / awl
Drilling the holes 1 to 1 did not take a lot of force to press on.
Add embellishment by sliding it up the awl
add a little gel glue on the embellishment to hold in place.
Thank You for Viewing My Instructable
Thank You For Viewing My Instructable