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caskwith wrote:Are these bits hardened?

Hi, I am good friend of Dimitris. Here is 4:45am now but as I am night owl, I will try to answer to your question and he can clarify it later.
As far as I know, his bits are not hardened, to make the honing process easier, but that doesn't means that it can't be done. You can ask him to make for you, any spoonbit that it will fits to your needs, so if you want them to be hardened, he will produce them with this way for you.
That's the philosophy behind the "Custom Spoon Bits" title at his site. To give you the ability to order spoon bits that it will be made to fit to your needs, following your own preferences, as long as this is practicable of course. He also offers the standard spoon bits as well, in case you don't want something custom.

I hope this helps clarify the things a little.

Guys, for the record--and I haven't even bothered to look at website or video--a spoon bit that is properly made and hardened should never have to be sharpened. I've been using the same set for over a decade, and they still cut curls. I wouldn't let the inability to sharpen these things dissuade you from buying them if that's the one and only sticking point.

TJ

caskwith wrote:Are these bits hardened?

Sorry for the late response.

Yes, It can be done, but it will take some time (7-10 days extra) plus 20 Euros.

Plus:
It will last longer.

Minus:
if you drop it you lost it.
Tool holding. You will need a collet holder, it's a bit dangerous.
Extremely difficult if not impossible to sharpen.
Extra time extra money.

Thank you for the response. What type of tool steel are you using?

caskwith wrote:Thank you for the response. What type of tool steel are you using?

I can't reveal too much, but why you ask?

Dimitris wrote:

caskwith wrote:Thank you for the response. What type of tool steel are you using?

I can't reveal too much, but why you ask?

If I knew the alloy I could harden it myself

caskwith wrote:

Dimitris wrote:

caskwith wrote:Thank you for the response. What type of tool steel are you using?

I can't reveal too much, but why you ask?

If I knew the alloy I could harden it myself

I don't recommend it. To be honest with you I can't do it either. I will send it to a specialist, if you order one of those.

caskwith wrote:Thank you for the response. What type of tool steel are you using?

It's a hard steel as is (18 Rockwell C- hardness). I don't think you'll have any problems. How many pipes per year can somebody make?

If we harden it, can go above 60Rc. You can cut metal with that. Do you really need it?

I bought my first spoon bits from Dimitris on late November on two different tapered shaped designs.
I was really happy and used them on over 20 pipes each untill late January -note that today, they still cut as if they are new- when I ordered him two new spoons with large diameter.
I prefer to use them with 8-10mm pilot hole, where they cut really efficient and easy.
I've tried one J.Alan spoon bit, but I still prefer Dimitris.

I don't think that's possible to find a better spoon bit on that price anywhere.

I finally got around to using this for some freehand and lathe mounted drilling, with a 10mm pilot, and I was pretty impressed.
Nice clean cut with a good finish, easy to judge depth to perfection.
It was my first use of spoon bits, but a definite improvement on an end mill, flat bit or hand turning which i have used before.

Might pick up a few more sizes when my budget allows.

im thinking about ordering some spoon bits. have any of you American makers had any experience recently with this outfit in Greece? I don't have a lot of money to spend and these seem to be the most affordable. any info is much appreciated. thank you

I had several from Demitri, fine quality for the price they work better than the J Alan bits
Imo spend the money

not an american but I've recently gotten 2 of his bit, quick service and they work beautifully.

Steve at Vermont Freehand has them. Check his website

Hi Guys, my tools, the original Grecian, are only available at http://www.spoon-bits.com.

-Dimitris

Dimitris wrote:Hi Guys, my tools, the original Grecian, are only available at http://www.spoon-bits.com.

-Dimitris

These aren't yours? http://vermontfreehand.com/product/spoon-bits

Hi, my tools are only available at http://www.spoon-bits.com.

scotties22 wrote:

Dimitris wrote:Hi Guys, my tools, the original Grecian, are only available at http://www.spoon-bits.com.

-Dimitris

These aren't yours? http://vermontfreehand.com/product/spoon-bits

I thought they were the same too...

The photo was taken a long time ago and it's actually from my tools. I've stopped selling my tools to other distributors two years ago.

Dimitris wrote:The photo was taken a long time ago and it's actually from my tools. I've stopped selling my tools to other distributors two years ago.

That may be the case, but Steve still has some in stock or they wouldn't be listed on his website.