Hi. I recently bought a big old toolbox full of junk tools because I needed the toolbox and also it had a nice V-swage for a post vise in it. While going through the contents to sort them out, I found a large drill bit (about 5/8") with a funny sharp point on it. Probably for brass. It was pretty mangled, and I was wondering if it could be used for anything.
A spark test showed that it was not a simple high carbon steel. The spark shower was small in volume and the lines were numerous and thin. Near where they started, they were red. This looks like high speed steel. Can this drill be untwisted into a hot work tool? It is probably air hardening, but may not be all that shock resistant. Or should I just trash it? It has a weird shank that will not fit in a taper or Jacob drill chuck.
Some time ago, I recall a post talking about high speed steel forging, but could not find it. I think that Alvin (from AZ) knows something about this topic.
Eric