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

Handles

Solid brass door handle / knobs

Embellishments

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

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.

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

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.

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