forming a drill or soldering one on rod

[pondoro]

No, more like this:

The nomenclature can be misleading, as they're both called spade drills. One is just MUCH easier to grind in the basement using a $40 bench grinder. :wink:

I've done this, it is pretty easy. Mine did not look this good but it drilled.

 

[fusil de chase]

Spent some more time playing with this and have decided that I need 2 drills.

Grinding the spade point on a hammered rod (to make it larger then 3/8ths) it is tough to get things shaped perfectly symetrical. My hammering while effective is not exactly precise.

Instead I ground a cutting bit on the rod as is much easier to get everything even. I will drill the hole with this and then once I have that undersize hole I will follow with a larger twist bit attached to a rod.

Good times!