3DArcher Report post Posted January 6, 2011 What kind of metal is used to make awl blades? I'm wanting to make some slimmer awl blades than what I've been finding. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ferg Report post Posted January 6, 2011 What kind of metal is used to make awl blades? I'm wanting to make some slimmer awl blades than what I've been finding. Stainless Steel ferg Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BIGGUNDOCTOR Report post Posted January 7, 2011 Any good tool steel should work fine. If you use a stainless go with a 400 series like 440C which is heat treatable. For a plain steel a good choice would be 1095 spring steel. You can buy spring steels from McMaster Carr that are already heat treated to a blue (springy) temper. 1095 can be hardened so hard that it becomes very brittle. Easy to harden. Heat to nonmagnetic, and quench in some oil. Polish, then heat till it gets to a straw color, quench again. Should be good to go at that point. Do not heat past blue, or it will be softer . Old small jeweler's files files can be reshaped, and tempered down to a less brittle condition. All of these will hold a good edge. Of course this all depends on what tools you have available. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tonyc1 Report post Posted January 7, 2011 Isn't it much easier and expedient just to go and buy some good awl blades? Tony. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Aggiebraider Report post Posted January 7, 2011 Thats what I would think. Call Bob Douglass, I dont have his catalog with me so hopefully someone can post his number for the 1000th time lol. I bought one from him this summer and it is REALLY sharp!. Not sure if its the size you want but he has two that he sells, one larger, one smaller. Im sure that with his metal working ability and background, if you get one and think its still too big, he could probably make you a smaller one. They are pretty well priced for the what you get. I think I paid either 15 or 20 for mine and it works extremely well. Hope this helps, CW Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BIGGUNDOCTOR Report post Posted January 9, 2011 In regards to buying versus making. I am a machinist, and do some blacksmithing, so I know that some of us get a lot of satisfaction in making tools that we use. Also a project like this is "easy" for me since I have the skills, tools, and materials available. Yes it is often times less expensive, but sometimes we choose to go a different path. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
3DArcher Report post Posted January 11, 2011 (edited) You have a number or website for Bob Douglas? I want some small awls. Actually want awls that are narrower than what I've been finding. Edited January 11, 2011 by 3DArcher Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rickeyfro Report post Posted January 11, 2011 1-307-737-2222 You have a number or website for Bob Douglas? I want some small awls. Actually want awls that are narrower than what I've been finding. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JoelR Report post Posted January 20, 2011 I needed the same and ended up using a concrete screw as my base metal. The ones you find in the hardware store, are painted blue and have two different sizes of threads cut into them. Nice hard metal to keep a good edge but enough spring that they won't snap unlese you really abuse them. Plus, they are a good diamater so not a whole lot of work was required to cut them down. I used a fiber-reinforced dremel cutoff wheel to 'shave' everything to size. Some have suggested old worn out drill bits but I would think they would be too brittle. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
