RobR
Full Member
Spent 10 minutes this morning trying to work out why I couldn't drill any deeper into this blank. I think I may be losing it.
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Hmmmmm...
- Thread starter RobR
- Start date
Ah yes, the ever-so-handy depth stop!
Can I make a suggestion when drilling? Try putting the the blank in the chuck as far as possible. You’ll have more chance of drilling perpendicular to the face, which helps a lot.
Can I make a suggestion when drilling? Try putting the the blank in the chuck as far as possible. You’ll have more chance of drilling perpendicular to the face, which helps a lot.
Drilling the blank straight and in the centre is the hardest part of pen making for me. I try doing using the method above and about 50% of the time it goes wrong so I try my drill press and the results are roughly the same. Is a drill centring pen blank vice the answer do people think or am I just in too much of a hurry?
RobR
Full Member
It definitely doesn't pay to be in a hurry.
What part do you find goes wrong generally? Slowish RPM, sharp drills and regular retraction to clear swarf usually work for me (when the tool rest isn't in the way). If you're having problems centralising the hole have you tried checking the alignment of your lathe? With a live centre and a dead centre at either end, do the points of the centres meet in all directions?
Are you using centre drills bits? If not you should.
Using one to start off creates an initial hole that is a 60 degree cone shape, the same as the end of your drill bit. You then need to advance the drill slowly into the hole and, even if there is a little bit of wobble to start with, the angled walls of the hole will “right” the drill bit and it should stop wobbling and drill straight from that point. But those first 2-3mm are key. Obviously if the drill is waving around a lot then you may have a different issue (workpiece face not flat, bent drill bit, lathe misalignment etc.).
Cheers
Ash
What Ash said.
If its for kit pens, you don't need to worry if its not centered, it's going to be round soon so it won't matter.
I've made 1000's of pens, never used a center point and always done on my drill press.
Rob, def get that blank further in the chuck, you will notice a hell of a difference
perhaps I’m worrying too much about perfection.thanks
pittswood
Fellow
It happens, more when older
Kelvin
Kelvin
Me too....I have home made adjustable jig I made to hold them aswell
Hi. If you are drilling for a pen kit tube you need not worry. After you glue the tube, the barrel trimmer and its guide will make the blank faces perpendicular and the bushes will center the work.
Gert Fitcher
Full Member
It only really matters if the blank is small and you've only a mil two to play with. you don't want to go off centre too far then.
If I ever use the the lathe with the head turned, which I do regularly (only by a little), I set a reminder to centre it again.
I seem to go against the crowd - I have a Meddings but still drill my blanks on the lathe. Engineering jaws in a Versachuck.
If I ever use the the lathe with the head turned, which I do regularly (only by a little), I set a reminder to centre it again.
I seem to go against the crowd - I have a Meddings but still drill my blanks on the lathe. Engineering jaws in a Versachuck.
Centre Drills work ok but actually aren’t designed for starting holes, they’re for drilling a recess for a Centre, hence the name! A better option which I find more durable anyway are Spotting drills. HSS are fine but if you get a carbide one it’ll last you a lifetime for spotting holes in pen blanks.
