Invention is the mother of necessity

[orezok]

The cutting edge on my back blade has worn out. I flipped it once and it's worn out again. I looked for a new edge, but I couldn't find one that had the same 12" bolt spacing as mine. The closest tractor place to me is about 60 miles away, so I wasn't willing to make the drive. I did find some online, but with shipping the cost would be well over $200.

I did some more research and found that Bobcat bucket cutting edges are common, but are designed to be welded on. I decided to take the risk and drill matching holes myself. The 72" blade cost $71 at Amazon with free shipping.

Now this edge is made from 1055 steel which is harder than the hinges of HE**. Again some research which indicated that cobalt drill bits would probably cut it but 5/8" ones are again pretty costly. I finally found out that carbide masonry bits work great on steel if resharpened to a drill bit configuration. Each hole took 5 to 10 minutes of drilling at 290 RPM and moderate to heavy pressure. The bits required resharpening about half way through each hole and I used pipe cutting oil as a lubricant.

Below are progress photos and the final product.

 

[atsah]

Believe it or not, I use wood hole saw bits on steel and they work like a charm.. Your blade should stay in good shape for years..

 

[PILOON]

Dormer makes excellent drills and I have drilled thick truck leaf springs with proper cutting oil more than a few times.

 

[stuckmotor]

Believe it or not, I use wood hole saw bits on steel and they work like a charm.. Your blade should stay in good shape for years..

What brand?

 

[thepumpguysc]

Wow.. I'll bet that was tedious.!! Nice job..

 

[Thomas]

Nice job and coins still in your pocket. :thumbsup:

 

[shooterdon]

Nicely done! Having some brains and internet access helps solve a lot of problems.

 

[newbury]

Nice job, how long did it take to resharpen to a drill bit configuration? I've never even sharpened a regular drill bit.

 

[oosik]

I really do like that solution. Bits are cutting well. I had to do the same on my Land Pride RB3596 after about 20 years of use. I was able to obtain two brand new road grader blades. Used one on the RB3596 and the second one is waiting in the work shop - it will go on the Rhino 950 - if ever needed.

I dam near gave up on the entire project though - both blades are 14 foot and had to be cut down to 8 foot. I didn't think my hack saw was EVER going to get thru those two cuts. I don't have a cutting torch either. However, persistence and several hacksaw blades finally paid off.

Drilling the holes for attachment went a lot better. I have good drill bits and I did purchase Drill DR to resharpen - often.

I have no idea what type steel they are made out of - but after 15 years of use - the blade on the RB3596 is just beginning to show wear on the outboard edges.

 

[flyerdan]

For the question about hole saw brand...Lennox makes a good bi-metal saw that works well in steel. I'd use a 1.875" one to cope for the uprights when building big gates.