Problems drilling a socket

[chucketn]

I’m in the process of making a Drawbar wrench/Hammer combination tool from a deep socket, a brass plug for a hammer face and an aluminum handle. I parted off the square drive end of the socket to reveal a round center. I soldered in a brass head and faced it square and turned it to match 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 first and started step drilling to the tap dia. for ½-13 thread for the handle. The first step drill went fine; the second just squealed and did nothing.
I have since tried to use an end mill and various other drills to get through the socket wall. Nothing will now touch it! What happened? Did I work harden the socket? Is this salvageable?
Chuck

[dallen]

it may be the chrome on the outside of the socket, but sockets are pretty hard also try to drill thru the flats if your drilling into the hex part of the socket that way you won't run uneven material when you break thru or hit the otherside.

DA

[stevec]

(07-15-2013, 11:53 AM)chucketn Wrote: Is this salvageable? Chuck

I don't know, do you have a carbide drill you can try?
Can you tell us the sizes of the steps? and the speeds you were using?
If only a carbide will touch it you'll then have trouble tapping.
Good sockets are pretty hard .

[chucketn]

I mounted the socket/ hammer head in the 4 jaw independant chuck and used a carbide braised boring bar to bore/counter bore the handle hole. Got the head tapped and moved on to the handle. Got it threaded and am working on the taper.

Chuck

[TomG]

Didn't happen without the pics.

Tom

[EdK]