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Drilling a Resin blank

Mad

Apprentice Member
Joined
Dec 9, 2020
Posts
7
Location
Uk
First Name
Mandy
Hi guys, I have been asked to make a pen for a friend and they want it made from resin. When I have been drilling my wood blanks I have noticed that the blank was getting hot and smoking slightly and I am scared that I get a blowout with the resin blank. I have read that you can use a dry lube like WD40 but I’m not sure if it will affect the gluing of the brass tubes.
Is it ok to use that or should I be using something else? What would you guys recommend?

Thanks
 

Frederick

Registered
Joined
Apr 8, 2018
Posts
871
Location
Chatham
First Name
Frederick
Hi guys, I have been asked to make a pen for a friend and they want it made from resin. When I have been drilling my wood blanks I have noticed that the blank was getting hot and smoking slightly and I am scared that I get a blowout with the resin blank. I have read that you can use a dry lube like WD40 but I’m not sure if it will affect the gluing of the brass tubes.
Is it ok to use that or should I be using something else? What would you guys recommend?

Thanks

I would not use any form of lube on any pen blanks as it does effect adhesion properties. If your blanks are becoming too hot it is IMHO because you have a blunt drill bit and/or drilling too hard. Also it is imperitive that when drilling to clear the flutes often by extracting the bit and brushing if necessary. A sharp bit and gentle pressure will solve the problem.

Cheers
Frederick
 

Curly

Graduate Member
Joined
Nov 3, 2019
Posts
420
Location
RM of Aberdeen, Saskatchewan, Canada
First Name
Peter
Water and a drop or two of dish soap work as a lubricant for drilling plastics. You just have to rinse the blanks when done. Keep the lathe bed covered so it won't rust.

Cooking oil also works. Wash and rinse when done. Don't use petroleum based oils and solvents as some plastics will craze (a fine matrix of surface cracks). WD-40 falls into that group.

Pete
 

pittswood

Fellow
Joined
Mar 14, 2016
Posts
1,249
Location
Rhigos, South Wales
First Name
Kelvin
As said above, Sharpe drill, little pressure, let the drill do the cutting and clear out any chips from the flutes. Do not use any lube.
Good luck.
Kelvin
 

Mad

Apprentice Member
Joined
Dec 9, 2020
Posts
7
Location
Uk
First Name
Mandy
Thanks for you input everyone.:thumbs:
Terry Q what rpm should I be using? ATM I have my drill set at about 1200 rpm. I wasn’t sure so went mid range of what the drill will do :thinks:
 

Penpal

Grand Master
Joined
May 26, 2013
Posts
25,340
Location
Canberra AUSTRALIA
First Name
Peter
No lube many short bursts drilling I have never changed my drilling speed in 40 yrs,does not make precedence just successful practice.

Peter.
 

Pierre

Graduate Member
Joined
Sep 2, 2015
Posts
996
Location
Southern Central France
First Name
Pierre
For anything the drill rpm should be under 1000 rpm try 4-600, as penpal says 'woodpeckering' or short penetration followed by long withdrawal works as well :winking:
 

Terry Q

Fellow
Joined
Oct 8, 2014
Posts
3,847
Location
Roanoke, Illinois USA
First Name
Terry
Thanks for you input everyone.:thumbs:
Terry Q what rpm should I be using? ATM I have my drill set at about 1200 rpm. I wasn’t sure so went mid range of what the drill will do :thinks:

Friction heat is not your friend. As stated somewhere between 400-600 rpm. Good luck.
 
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