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Thread: Cutting a 1/4" solid carbide tool in half

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Mar 2005
    Location
    Prosper, Texas
    Posts
    1,474

    Cutting a 1/4" solid carbide tool in half

    I know carbide is brittle and very hard but is there a way a woodworker with typical tools could cut a 1/4" diameter solid carbide tool like the one pictured below in half? What would happen if I took a metal cut off disc on my 4.5" grinder to it?

    index.jpg
    Regards,

    Glen

    Woodworking: It's a joinery.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Nov 2006
    Location
    TX, NM or on the road
    Posts
    845
    Try a Dremel diamond cutoff blade. Diamond stones will sharpen carbide so the blade should cut it.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Oct 2011
    Location
    Greenville MI
    Posts
    156
    Most carbides have a hardness between 90 and 93. It will be difficult at best to cut this

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Jan 2015
    Location
    Brentwood, TN
    Posts
    684
    Quote Originally Posted by Marvin Hasenak View Post
    Try a Dremel diamond cutoff blade. Diamond stones will sharpen carbide so the blade should cut it.
    I have cut some of my carbide gravers using a diamond disk (Dremel type), but creating a groove all the way around, then place the bit in a good solid vise, wear eye protection, and smack with a hammer side ways. It will shear from groove to groove, and be a little coars on the new break.
    Maker of Fine Kindling, and small metal chips on the floor.
    Embellishments to the Stars - or wannabees.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Oct 2009
    Location
    Oakley, CA
    Posts
    322
    If you only have one of these to cut, I think a die grinder with cutoff wheel would work . . .eventually. If you attempt it, don't start unless you have a couple of extra cutoff wheels on hand.

    Wayne

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Feb 2018
    Location
    Cookeville TN
    Posts
    338
    Ditto what Mark said. I cut carbide and HSS bits by scoring all the way around with the Dremel and then breaking them. Put them in a vice and put a cloth over them. Then grab them and break or hit it with a hammer. The cloth keeps things from flying all over and/or hitting you.

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