Drill Pens

[Peter 357]

I have been learning a lot from this group. I just posted by first 2 turning of pens. These I find easy and fun. I am having 1 problem when drilling the hole for the tube the drill is walking and the hole is not true at the bottom. I am using a drill press to drill the hole. I have to drill about 2 inches. Any ideas on how to keep the drill bit from walking.

 

[Travlr7]

There are a couple of things you can do to improve it. Go very slow! Clear the drill frequently!

Sorry, but that's the best advice I can give you.

Bruce

 

[GregD]

First, use a center punch when you have located the center. Second, Feed the bit very slowly, and third Clear the bit often.

 

[KKingery]

Peter - one other thought - (I had this problem) - I also had problems when I first started drilling blanks using my old drill press. Turns out that the table was'nt square to the bit - you might want to check it with a mitre gauge to make sure it's true and square - the second thought is to make sure that your shaft on the drill press itself is straight and not bent.

 

[daledut]

You have already gotten good advise.

I would add that a secure holding method is important too. There are a number on the market or you can make your own. I have found that suporting the blanks long most of its length helps a lot.

Also make sure the bit is sharp. And experiment with the speed, I find that about 1200 rpm works best for most of my stuff. I slow it down if I am using a large bit like for the Gentleman's pen.

I use the PSI self centering vice now but I used a home made jig for quite a while before I got it.

If you need specific help in making something post your questions here and we will make sure you get on the right track.

 

[Guest]

Even though you are going to mill the pen, it helps if the end of the blank is parellel to the table

 

[jwoodwright]

It's all been said already, table square to sharp drill bit. Solid method to support blank, drill slow and clear bit often.

A bit will sometimes try and follow grain... Easiest path. [8D]

How are you holding the blank[?]

 

[tipusnr]

I don't have any extra advice regarding your question. Regarding your pen - what kind of wood is that? I like the coloration!

 

[jkirkb94]

What kind of drill bit are you using? A brad point drill bit will wander less than one without the brad. Kirk[8D]

 

[Gary]

Most of the bits I use for pen blanks are the Norseman Magnum bits. They are top-quality bits. They will drill as straight as any brad point. IMHO.

 

[thostorey]

I 'bottom' the drill bit in the chuck and because I don't have enough throw to drill all the way through the blank in one shot, I lift the drill table not lower the bit in the chuck. I think the less the drill bit protrudes from the chuck the less tendency it has to 'flex' or follow a grain line. This doesn't always cure a wandering bit but every little 'bit' helps[]

 

[esheffield]

Anybody drill blanks on the lathe? That's what we did in the woodcraft class. Bit in the Jacobs in the tailstock, blank in the Nova chuck. I have the same problem as Tom - drill press doesn't have enough travel to go all the way through. It's a Harbor Freight deal, and there's a lot more play in the shaft than I like as well. So I may give the lathe drilling technique a go at home, though I'm no too sure about my lathe's accuracy for this kind of thing. It's a Ridgid with the large single tube bed and there's a little side-to-side play in the tailstock. Maybe I can adjust it a bit better though.

 

[woodscavenger]

If you are having tear out at the bottom make sure you have a peice of wool underneath to prevent the tear out.