How do you mill steel milling bits? Do you need to go custom diamond milling bits?

Question

As a metal working hobbyist, I would like to modify existing milling bits without emptying my wallet.

Answer 1

Take the worn bits to a local tool and die machinist. They are well equipped to re-sharpen them. If you are considering 'making' your own, then you are in for a whole lot more than you may think.Besides it takes MUCH to complete the machining and hardening process.

Answer 2

You'd have to cut it with something harder, maybe a ceramic. When I saw that you wanted to modify existing ones (rather than make new ones) it gets a bit more difficult. If you can soften the bit and then re-harden it after machining, you don't need harder tools. But I can't say that you'd keep dimensional accuracy through the whole process. Have you considered starting from scratch with a piece of annealed tool steel that can be hardened afterward?