Reply by Arlin Eastman

Hairy
Mine was M2 steel and I started with a #30 and both bits were split tip or cobalt bits. I also had a cheap set of Menards tap & die set and used them. It had taken a few seconds to get threaded right with no vise, however, it went through without a problem.
I have been sick the last 36 hours and been in bed the whole time, I am chomping at the bit to get back out there.
Arlin

-- It is always the right time, to do the right thing. Lovinghandsmemoryboxs.com