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Rusty G

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Joined
Jun 15, 2011
Messages
9
Location
Sydney
G'day all I'am sure plenty of you guys out there have made Churchill and El grande before my question is they say to use 33/64 and 31/64 are they a snug fit or a loose fit,the metric sizes are 33/64 =1.3097 or 13mm and the 31/64=1.2303 or a 12.3. Your imput would be great.

Thanks RG

P.S if I go metric 13mm no problems for the cap but would I get away with using a 12mm or would it be to tight for the pen.
 
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ohiococonut

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Joined
May 8, 2011
Messages
397
Location
Warsaw, Ohio
I can't answer your specific question but anytime I use a new drill bit I drill a piece of test wood just to make sure. I've found too many bits that don't run true, were oversized or just the wrong size and ruined a perfectly good blank. Then, if the drill bit is different than what's called for, I keep the test blank with my bushings and the drill size is written on that blank.
 

Rusty G

Member
Joined
Jun 15, 2011
Messages
9
Location
Sydney
Thanks for that I relize you test them first but drill bits that size cost around $20 each so I don't want drill bits around that I will never use

RG
 

ohiococonut

Member
Joined
May 8, 2011
Messages
397
Location
Warsaw, Ohio
Sorry, wasn't think about that since I have complete sets of drill bits :redface:

I was just remembering how mad I was that I ruined the only two black blanks I had trying to make a particular pen because the bit I got with the kit was the wrong size. Even after I stepped it down 1/64" it was still too big. Live and learn I guess.
 

Dan_F

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Joined
Nov 8, 2007
Messages
959
Location
Spokane, WA, USA.
In my experience the fractional drills work fine for wood, but if you have transparent acrylic blanks, the 13.3mm bit works better for the cap, as the 33/64" is too tight once you paint the inside of the blank. I haven't had the same problem with the 31/64" for the barrel.

Dan
 
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