Problems drilling a socket

[chucketn]

I’m in the process of making a Drawbar wrench/Hammercombination tool from a deep socket, a brass plug for a hammer face and analuminum handle. I parted off the square drive end of the socket to reveal around center. I soldered in a brass head and faced it square and turned it tomatch the diameter of the socket. Then I put the socket /head in my mill vice,found center and started drilling for the handle. I used a center drill firstand started step drilling to the tap dia. for ½-13 thread for the handle. Thefirst step drill went fine; the second just squealed and did nothing.

I have since tried to use an end mill and various otherdrills to get through the socket wall. Nothing will now touch it! Whathappened? Did I work harden the socket? Is this salvageable?

Chuck

 

[cobweb81]

Sound like you have gotten it hot which has resulted in hardening the area. Most likely carbide is the only thing that will get through it now. Maybe you could add a saddle to the side with the threaded hole already in it and weld it to the socket.