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How do you square your blanks?

DaddyG

Full Member
Joined
Dec 11, 2017
Posts
127
Location
Redcar
First Name
Graham
I use a barrel trimmer for my 7 mm slimlines and am going to be ordering other kits so don't know the best way to square kits with different bores.

So just wondering how you guys do it.

Thanks in advance.
 

flexi

Executive Member
Joined
Sep 12, 2014
Posts
6,159
Location
Maidstone
First Name
mark
I use a combination of ways.....a barrel trimmer with various stems to suit different dia tubes.....but lately i have also been using a disc sander with pin punches and a v block.....when set correctly its very quick and easy....
I think there is a file on this too in the archieve
 

Bill Mooney

Blind old git
Grand Master
Joined
Aug 16, 2014
Posts
10,997
Location
County Durham
First Name
Bill
I use a disc sander & jig. The jig is a v block with the appropriate size transfer punch & the sliding mitre square. Just make sure your table & square are square to the disc. Quick & easy.
727E8E1C-E4CE-45B4-B2C2-2BC4AD7131F7.jpg
 

DaddyG

Full Member
Joined
Dec 11, 2017
Posts
127
Location
Redcar
First Name
Graham
Going to have to ask what do you use the punches for?

And next question best place to get said punches in suitable sizes?:thinks:
 

flexi

Executive Member
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Sep 12, 2014
Posts
6,159
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Maidstone
First Name
mark

wm460

Grand Master
Joined
Mar 16, 2013
Posts
23,095
Location
Tennant Creek, Northern Territory, Australia.
First Name
Mark
Going to have to ask what do you use the punches for?

A transfer punch is a punch (usually in an index set) of a specific outer diameter that is non-tapered and extends the entire length of the punch (except for the tip). It is used to tightly fit the tolerances of an existing hole and, when struck, precisely transfer the center of that hole to another surface. It can be used, for example, to duplicate the hole patterns in a part, or precisely set locations for threaded holes (created by drilling and tapping) to bolt an object to a surface.

Being used.

Transfer Punches
 

Penpal

Grand Master
Joined
May 26, 2013
Posts
25,340
Location
Canberra AUSTRALIA
First Name
Peter
I use two sets of transfer punches (metric and imperial) in a captive drill chuck (the type used in hammer drills for long,strong holding ability) facing a 12 inch sander dedicated to the task. I stress absolute care in set up to get accurate right angles in every direction.

Peter.
 

Penpal

Grand Master
Joined
May 26, 2013
Posts
25,340
Location
Canberra AUSTRALIA
First Name
Peter
I found some pics to show my squaring set up for all blanks.

Peter.
 

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DaddyG

Full Member
Joined
Dec 11, 2017
Posts
127
Location
Redcar
First Name
Graham
Thanks for all the help, good to see the setups I think for now I'm going with a trimmer with different size bits help keep the cost down.

Now I've seen how others do it will get this lot on my ever growing wish list!! Going to add the disc sander to my watch list and see if I can save a few pennies!?

Thanks again.
 

DaddyG

Full Member
Joined
Dec 11, 2017
Posts
127
Location
Redcar
First Name
Graham
Thanks I've just found a 7 bit set on Stiles and Bates I'm going to order for now should keep me going with what I need for now, but going to get a sander setup soon as I can.
 

Penpal

Grand Master
Joined
May 26, 2013
Posts
25,340
Location
Canberra AUSTRALIA
First Name
Peter
I found no joy in losing heaps of work due to the roughing,splitting that comes with using Pen mill trimmers. Can be a boon to clean out the tubes after glueing.

Peter.
 

Penpal

Grand Master
Joined
May 26, 2013
Posts
25,340
Location
Canberra AUSTRALIA
First Name
Peter
This is my thirty plus yr old blank trimmer called those days a step drill,always used by hand for utmost care and precision is guaranteed by the neat fit of the front stem. It carefully cleans the brass end with a champher. This one I use for all my Slimline pens. I enclose some variations of this.Food for thought this was the only device you could buy when I started,most people used it in a hand drill.Too clumsy for me so I handled mine.

If you look back up the page at my 212 inch sander you will see a block of wood with a piece of mandrel set in it that I used to face these blanks,it is held on a square mitre in the bed groove.

Peter.
 

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