African Blackwood Pen blank blowout!

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Daveffemtp

Member
Joined
Jul 26, 2011
Messages
12
Location
Flint, Michigan
So, I'm trying to drill African Blackwood for the PSI "over under" shotgun pen. The stabilized box elder was no problem, however, when I tried to drill the blackwood blanks, I ruined 4-5 prices due to blowing out the blank. The blanks actually cracked along the length, rendering the whole price useless.

The drill bit is nearly the same size as the blank, so there is not much room for error in the first place.

Any words of advise for drilling these blanks without ruining them?
 
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randywa

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Jul 31, 2008
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893
Location
Republic, Mo.
After I blew out a few, someone told me to keep the bit very sharp and go slow. Blackwood heats up very quick, so I drill 1/2" and then let it cool for awhile and then go another 1/2". It works for me anyway. Good luck, that stuff is too expensive to tear up.
 

ohiococonut

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Joined
May 8, 2011
Messages
397
Location
Warsaw, Ohio
I've never tried wood for the cap, I use an acrylic black or red blank. Use water and drill slowly constantly backing out making sure it doesn't heat up. My first two were a disaster until I figured out the heat was the culprit and I was clamping on the blank too tight. Someone suggested Pam spray but I haven't tried it yet.
If you want to use wood you'll most likely need to round the blank and use a collet chuck in the lathe for more support.
 

Daveffemtp

Member
Joined
Jul 26, 2011
Messages
12
Location
Flint, Michigan
Randy,
I actually bought the whole kit (new drill bits and all). The drill bits are crazy sharp. I would go in a little way and then back the drill off and make sure the bit was clean of debris before plunging again. I probably ruined 4-5 pieces of Blackwood tonight. I was getting a little frustrated to say the least. Thanks for your help!
 

robutacion

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Joined
Aug 6, 2009
Messages
6,514
Location
Australia - SA Adelaide Hills
So, I'm trying to drill African Blackwood for the PSI "over under" shotgun pen. The stabilized box elder was no problem, however, when I tried to drill the blackwood blanks, I ruined 4-5 prices due to blowing out the blank. The blanks actually cracked along the length, rendering the whole price useless.

The drill bit is nearly the same size as the blank, so there is not much room for error in the first place.

Any words of advise for drilling these blanks without ruining them?

Hi Dave,

Apart from the advice was given above, I find that rapping the blank in tape, masking tape if you have no better but there are a few other tapes that are reinforced, therefore a better option in this case, will support the blank considerably while drilling...!

Good luck...!

Cheers
George
 

Daveffemtp

Member
Joined
Jul 26, 2011
Messages
12
Location
Flint, Michigan
So, I'm trying to drill African Blackwood for the PSI "over under" shotgun pen. The stabilized box elder was no problem, however, when I tried to drill the blackwood blanks, I ruined 4-5 prices due to blowing out the blank. The blanks actually cracked along the length, rendering the whole price useless.

The drill bit is nearly the same size as the blank, so there is not much room for error in the first place.

Any words of advise for drilling these blanks without ruining them?

Hi Dave,

Apart from the advice was given above, I find that rapping the blank in tape, masking tape if you have no better but there are a few other tapes that are reinforced, therefore a better option in this case, will support the blank considerably while drilling...!

Good luck...!

Cheers
George

George, that's a great idea. Because most of the prices I ruined tonight completely blew out the side of the blank. Thank you for your advise
 

randywa

Member
Joined
Jul 31, 2008
Messages
893
Location
Republic, Mo.
Randy,
I actually bought the whole kit (new drill bits and all). The drill bits are crazy sharp. I would go in a little way and then back the drill off and make sure the bit was clean of debris before plunging again. I probably ruined 4-5 pieces of Blackwood tonight. I was getting a little frustrated to say the least. Thanks for your help!

Once I was finaly able to get a hole drilled, I learned that blackwood also gets hot and cracks with too much pressure sanding and using the sand paper too long.
 

Daveffemtp

Member
Joined
Jul 26, 2011
Messages
12
Location
Flint, Michigan
I think I figured it out!

Sorry for the poor picture quality.......I'm no photographer!
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283579_1940125465626_1317118442_31782568_661572_n.jpg
 

okiebugg

Member
Joined
Dec 5, 2010
Messages
264
Location
Jenks, Oklahoma
Blowout

Use three wooden C-clamps to support the blank. These will support three sides especially the middle as you drill. I use this method for drilling ebony and snakewood as support so they wont blowout as you get deeper into the blank. Don't get the bit or the blanks hot!. Drill 1/3 and let the whole thing rest. I've had pretty good results doing this. I still have blowouts, but not commonly, as long as everything stays relative cool
 
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