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Pen blank drills

Joiner8

Apprentice Member
Joined
Jan 20, 2020
Posts
2
Location
Falkirk Scotland
First Name
David
Hi guys, I'm new to pen turning and wan,t to buy a selection of pen blank drills, should I buy hss or cobalt also brad point or normal.
I know you can buy colt or fisch drills but find they are really expensive and do you have to buy expensive drill bits to drill blanks also a selection of sizes would be great.
Regards Dewar
 

Penpal

Grand Master
Joined
May 26, 2013
Posts
25,340
Location
Canberra AUSTRALIA
First Name
Peter
My preference
DeWalt type 2 drill point drills.Infinitely cheaper in sets.

Peter.
 

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Neil

Fellow
Joined
May 21, 2013
Posts
3,132
Location
Hitchin, Hertfordshire
First Name
Neil
Agree with Peter and Mark, de Walt extreme 2 metric drill bits for me, but dissapointly not available in metric in the uk, so use standard HSS jobber drill bits from engineering supplies or on line at ukdrills. Avoid colt, particularly the 7mm, it’s far too long and wobbles as if p****d as a f**t.
 

Neil Lawton

Longlocks
Fellow
Joined
Dec 26, 2013
Posts
3,115
Location
York
First Name
Neil
Agree with Peter and Mark, de Walt extreme 2 metric drill bits for me, but dissapointly not available in metric in the uk, so use standard HSS jobber drill bits from engineering supplies or on line at ukdrills. Avoid colt, particularly the 7mm, it’s far too long and wobbles as if p****d as a f**t.

Surely you mean Imperial?:thinks:
 

Terry Q

Fellow
Joined
Oct 8, 2014
Posts
3,847
Location
Roanoke, Illinois USA
First Name
Terry
I have sets but I also have bought individual bits. Some pens are huge and require a bit larger than 1/2". When I buy singles I get the best quality available.
To reinforce Kelvin's advice keep your bits sharp.
 

silver

General dogsbody
Executive Member
Joined
Jun 29, 2013
Posts
6,301
Location
Somewhere in Staffordshire,
First Name
Eamonn.
Another one for Brad point drills here for me.

However they aren't always available in the size you require, so use standard HSS drills.

I use this company as they have all the selection one would ever need for standard HSS.

Taps and Dies, Reamers & Milling Cutters | Tracy Tools Ltd UK

When using the standard HSS drills I use a centre drill, make a great star to making sure the drill can be centered in the blank. very good if you drill on the lathe.

CENTRE DRILLS
 
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