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Explanation of MY STEP DRILL

Penpal

Grand Master
Joined
May 26, 2013
Posts
25,340
Location
Canberra AUSTRALIA
First Name
Peter
This is my old step drill used for reaming 7mm tubes in blanks note the rim reaming on the brass also.

The diagram shows the manufacturing steps. They are:

A. The diameter of the step that flattens the blank square.
B. The pilot diameter a close smooth slip fit into the brass sleeve.
C. The pilot length cleans the inside of the brass from glue etc.
D. The flute length (always shorter than the blank length to prevent holes in your hand use from both ends.
E. Overall length of the unit.
F. Shank diameter.
G. Countersink angle ie the reaming of the brass rim angle.
H. Material (high speed steel etc).
I. Length of shank.

Kind regards Peter.
 

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Terry

Chairman Plonker
Executive Member
Joined
Jan 31, 2013
Posts
9,504
Location
An exile Geordie living in Kingston upon Hull
First Name
Terry
This is my old step drill used for reaming 7mm tubes in blanks note the rim reaming on the brass also.

The diagram shows the manufacturing steps. They are:

A. The diameter of the step that flattens the blank square.
B. The pilot diameter a close smooth slip fit into the brass sleeve.
C. The pilot length cleans the inside of the brass from glue etc.
D. The flute length (always shorter than the blank length to prevent holes in your hand use from both ends.
E. Overall length of the unit.
F. Shank diameter.
G. Countersink angle ie the reaming of the brass rim angle.
H. Material (high speed steel etc).
I. Length of shank.

Kind regards Peter.

Thanks very much for the info Peter. Very informative!!!!:thumbs:
 

Penpal

Grand Master
Joined
May 26, 2013
Posts
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Location
Canberra AUSTRALIA
First Name
Peter
Over 20 yrs ago this was the only reamer available and from USA. The reason I gave the( today in use)specification to get one custom made is I have taken measures using the best I can afford micrometer etc and variables exist wherever I have done this. Because this is my first and used on every Slimline Pen I make I have tried on three occasions with international interstate operatives to get one made without success. I figured because the principle is sound one could be made for each brass size for a reasonable fee in major nations where population gives real specialists in grinding either high speed drills or tungsten drills as the base. My fond hope was always to find such a company and get a buying group buy to the real advantage of a lot of penturners, I note you have an Engineering leaning perhaps you could add to a debate on availability of such skills in your country. I supplied brasses and all dissapointment still followed using their specs at a distance hopeless. Indeed the only critical measure is a close slip fit in the brass a bonus would be the correct angle at point C to give champher to the brass still only a routine process. Personally these days I rely on the sanding disk to face the blank. Care would be needed to select an oversize if anything diameter at A to suit blank size. The reason I mounted this reamer in a handle is it can savage some timbers at the face and most everone simply bashed them into a hand drill or the lathe chuck IMHO a dangerous exercise with sharp cutters and a dreadful way to be precise holding the blank.

As always I hesitate to present an engineering aspect to any process as so few wood lathes, attachments designed for pens can match metal lathes or their precision. Now I present as a mug maker but commonsense tells me as I measure all drills I buy and classify them with the real size they have not display stamped or etched in them. At nearly 79 yrs I have argued with the best suppliers when they say precision I say put your product where it belongs up there with the best or not please dont lie.

Forgive me for showing this still accurate product but once they were everyday expectations and the one product to believe in if respected in use.

Thanks for any interest displayed.

Kind regards Peter.
 

bellringer

The Young one
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5,187
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Surrey
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Alex
it could be as my godfather is a precision engineering in Manchester so might just have to have a word with him
 

ataylor

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Nov 6, 2011
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1,668
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UK
First Name
Andy
I am very surprissed that these are not available on the web i do think that they would sell also. :thumbs:
 

clumsysod

GOBBY GIT
Graduate Member
Joined
Apr 7, 2013
Posts
687
Location
Grantham
Sorry to disagree with you Jim but that looks like it has an inverted taper to it which would not flatten the end but taper it away from the brass tube.
My pen mill is square to the end and I have never had tear out with it maybe I have been lucky because I certainly am not careful.
mill.resized.JPG
 

ataylor

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UK
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Andy
I have had tearouts using one of those, i found that it was only useful on very hard woods, i now use my sander to suare the edges. :bwink:
 

Penpal

Grand Master
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Location
Canberra AUSTRALIA
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Peter
I have a good use for these units I scored a box full of Dremel minidisks when they were discontinued imagine the disk is punched then cow gum glued to the back flat face of the reamer cum whatever and the stem adjusted for length from the cutter using the black disks for final flattening of the face of the blank I have them the steel in different stem sizes. Have many more pics fed up downsizing.

Bear in mind I have used a disk sander before this to squae / flatten the end and the above after mostly finishing the blank the Irish in me to be sure to be sure.

By the way George using a regular drill that length in your mill could cost you a hole in the hand depending how you use it.

Kind regards Peter.
 

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clumsysod

GOBBY GIT
Graduate Member
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687
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Grantham
By the way George using a regular drill that length in your mill could cost you a hole in the hand depending how you use it.
Thanks for the tip Peter, I am clumsy not stupid.
That goes in a jacobs chuck in the tailstock and squares up nicely to the pen jaws in the headstock.
I only extended it that much to do a single piece slimline I usually have a shorter one in there but thanks for your concern.
I like the disc idea above mate that has given me food for thought.
 
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