On Fri, 28 Oct 2016 23:55:21 -0400, Ed Pawlowski wrote:

On 10/28/2016 8:27 PM, OFWW wrote:

I truly didn't know that. I have had a lot of HSS bits, destroyed some
on jobs and had no spares, but always seemed I could cut or grind off
that bad parts and then sharpen them and they almost always seemed to
be better than when I first got them. Never understood why, but what
very glad when it happened.

Many tools from the factory are mediocre mass produced sharpened. If
you are good at sharpening you can usually do better.

Lie Neilsen tells you that their chisels are flattened and sharpened
to #400 grit and recommends further sharpening and polishing.


Is there a minimum standard for HSS? Reason I ask is some say their
bits are, yet there is a huge difference in quality.


Not sure if there is a standard, but when cost is more important than
quality, heat treating may not be as good as another brand.