Abstract: A method is shown for fabricating cutter elements for a drill bit, each of the cutter elements being mounted on the drill bit by a mounting stud. A plurality of composite compacts are provided, each of the compacts having an exposed abrasive diamond surface bonded to a carbide substrate portion. The exposed diamond surface is coated with a thin, metal layer, which is relatively easier to grind away in subsequent steps than the diamond surface itself. The coated surface of the compact is then ground to a depth slightly less than the depth of the diamond surface to thereby form a smoothly ground surface for the compact. The smoothly ground surface of the compact is then contacted with a heat sink while the composite compact is brazed to the mounting stud. Each mounting stud so prepared is then affixed to a suitable receiving area provided on the drill bit.