Outgassing Keen Kutter

[danno50]

Thanks for the encouraging comments everyone. My biggest problem was over reaming and countersinking the pin holes, especially the centre pin, and then I couldn't get the pins mashed down enough to fill the countersink. It is still very solidly held together, though.
Dale, how much do you pay for your metric drill bits. I bought 4 each of metric numbers 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52 and 53. I found them locally in a specialized cutting implements wholesaler and paid about $2.30 to $2.50 each for them.
Dan

[fergusontd]

Orvet, I couldn't agree with you more, but American made drills are extremely hard to find, but most drills sold today anywhere are, (sigh) made in China. ftd

[orvet]

I don't recall exactly what I pay for them, my local supplier buys in bulk; I think I pay about $1/ea for the #51 drills.
I did buy some cheaper drills online but it took me 2 drills to drill pin 4 holes in a Western tang and 2 more to drill 4 holes in each of 2 stag handle. The tang I understand, but 2 drills to drill 8 holes in stag as a bit much!

I am afraid I have cheap drills mixed with good ones.
I may have to chuck them all and get new ones.

[orvet]

Orvet, I couldn't agree with you more, but American made drills are extremely hard to find, but most drills sold today anywhere are, (sigh) made in China. ftd

I hear you Ferg.
I am fortunate to have a good local tool shop.
Even then, a lot of their stuff it's from overseas.