Drilling holes in bar

[xpuser]

What is the best kind of drill bit to drill holes in a saw bar? Is the bar and the replaceable tip the same material?

 

[BobL]

What is the best kind of drill bit to drill holes in a saw bar? Is the bar and the replaceable tip the same material?

The bearing bosses in the nose are generally much harder than the bars.
Carbide tipped drill bits will drill all bars and bearing bosses in the nose.
Cobalt drill bits will drill the bars but not all noses.
I use a drill press on the slowest speed possible and plenty of water soluble oil as lube. You have to apply a lot of pressure but don't let the bit just turn without cutting or you will work harden the metal.

 

[Hillbilly3995]

A solid carbide center cutting endmill works excellently as well,
but they are brittle you must use a drill press or a mill and clamp your workpiece because a little squirm will break it, dont drop it either.
you can buy a solid carbide drill that will drill glass but they are easier to break than a endmill. Good Luck

 

[BobL]

A solid carbide center cutting endmill works excellently as well,
but they are brittle you must use a drill press or a mill and clamp your workpiece because a little squirm will break it, dont drop it either.
you can buy a solid carbide drill that will drill glass but they are easier to break than a endmill. Good Luck

I've also successfully used new masonry bits.

 

[Hillbilly3995]

I've also successfully used new masonry bits.

Those will work much better if you'll find an old machinist to resharpen them for cutting metal, I say old cause I grew up in the shop sharpening drills by hand but nowadays most younger fellas only know how to regrind them in a machine for that purpose, plus you need a "green" wheel like is used to grind lathe cutters. Good Luck all...