USAFVET98
Member
Ok guys, What drill bit size do I use for an aluminum blank if I dont want to use a brass barrel? I will be turning a 7mm pen...
Aluminum blanks....
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GaryMadore
Member
I think 6.2mm is the diameter of the actual "hole" in a 7mm pen (i/d of brass sleeve)
Cheers!
Gary
Cheers!
Gary
broitblat
Member
I think you can get away with 1/4 inch...
-Barry
-Barry
GaryMadore
Member
the mandrel shaft is 1/4" so I do believe that would be a safe bet.
USAFVET98
Member
1/4" worked well.. Thanks
johnnycnc
Member
If you can find a 6.3mm that would be my choice if just drilling.
I use a .2485 reamer to finish size mine after drilling letter C .
I use a .2485 reamer to finish size mine after drilling letter C .
KenV
Member
OK -- Why put a brass tube in an aluminum sleeve?? I do some micro-machining and there is not enough difference in the metals to add the step and the inherant problems of adding a brass tube inside an aluminum tube. Just use the same inside diameter -- but I am only working my way up from apprentice grade machinist....
GaryMadore
Member
Ken,
I think that's the point: He was asking about the size hole he needs to drill if he doesn't use tubes (in other words, he was asking the inside diameter of the brass tubes used in 7mm kits)
A journeyman would have known that
Cheers!
Gary
MrWoody
Member
When making an Aluminum pen are you turning it on wood or metal lathe? If on wood do the normal tools work on it?
Thanks
Thanks
bradbn4
Member
The one aluminum pen that I made I just turned it on my wood lathe. It was easy to do - no fuss at all. The pen looks nice and all - not sure where I got the pre-drilled blank tho.
I guess it was included in one of the orders that I did from a group member.
Who ever you were - thanks
I guess it was included in one of the orders that I did from a group member.
Who ever you were - thanks
johnnycnc
Member
Brad, odds are pretty good I sent you that blank.
Glad it worked out!:biggrin:
Glad it worked out!:biggrin:
KenV
Member
Rob --
My poor reading -- and I got put off point by the drilling--
The drilling will not likely (there is always luck) get the control of the whole size to to mount the fittings well. The drilling is to provide the initial starting point, and the boring bar or reamer provides the control to get to within a few thousands of an inch. With a wood lathe, and a collet chuck, the drill and ream will probably work with soft aluminum (T-6 or similar) - and the use of an expandable reamer will be a reasonable investment for doing several.
with a CNC mill -- that is pure magic with fine control.
Now the outside, that would work reasonably well with high speed tooling and fine cuts by hand on a wood lathe working at centerline-
My poor reading -- and I got put off point by the drilling--
The drilling will not likely (there is always luck) get the control of the whole size to to mount the fittings well. The drilling is to provide the initial starting point, and the boring bar or reamer provides the control to get to within a few thousands of an inch. With a wood lathe, and a collet chuck, the drill and ream will probably work with soft aluminum (T-6 or similar) - and the use of an expandable reamer will be a reasonable investment for doing several.
with a CNC mill -- that is pure magic with fine control.
Now the outside, that would work reasonably well with high speed tooling and fine cuts by hand on a wood lathe working at centerline-
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USAFVET98
Member
Rob,
I turned my first one last night and it came out pretty good. I will post pictures later on. I used regular tools but I bought a real cheap set and sharpened them as I went so I didnt ruin my good set. It takes some time and patience, but it turned well. To polish the aluminum, I just used a lead and ring removing gun cloth.
I turned my first one last night and it came out pretty good. I will post pictures later on. I used regular tools but I bought a real cheap set and sharpened them as I went so I didnt ruin my good set. It takes some time and patience, but it turned well. To polish the aluminum, I just used a lead and ring removing gun cloth.
MrWoody
Member
Thanks for all of the help, I appreciate it.
bradbn4
Member
Could be I got the metal blank from you. I know I have bought a lot of wonderful stuff from you and others here at IAP.
I have always happy with what I got - but now I see a wonderful little lathe, OK - maybe not so little lathe in my future.
I have saved up for the last few months to buy a grizzly 10x22 metal lathe so I can extend my lathe fun during the winter in the basement. This should give me a chance to make some nice metal / plastic bushings and a few other tools to play with.
With a tool rest I can continue playing around during the winter months when it just is too cold to work in the garage where I have my big lathe.
Nice to see ya back online and all, now to find more accessories for the lathe that is back ordered until late Feb.
To keep it back on topic - no special tools were needed to work a metal blank - and I don't even think I had to sharpen more working on the metal than I did when working on hard maple.