Hi,
I downloaded the instructions for the PSI "Drill Blanks Anywhere Drill Press" "Device". The Instructions say to not use it on acrylics because of vibration. It is limited to (I think) 10mm maximum drill size, other issues as well. Quite a few pen turners drill on the lathe (including me). PSI also sells a "Pen Blank Drilling Chuck" in two sizes - one for pen blanks up to one inch square. The other is the "large capacity" which will hold up to 2 1/2" square If you can afford the extra $20.00, I'd recommend you get the bigger capacity one (2 1/2") which will also hold blanks for Bottle Stoppers, shaving brushes game calls, etc.. The other item you will need with that is a drill chuck for your tailstock.
Something you guys should really hear about .... That smaller size pen blank drilling chuck has PLASTIC jaws. The larger capacity version, with the reversible jaws, uses steel jaws. You should DEFINITELY invest in the larger version if you go this route!
In my case, I use a very very VERY cheap lathe from Harbor Freight Tools ... in fact, I spent 109 dollars on it, after tax. :biggrin: It does pens very well, but doesn't handle larger items all that well ... the motor just doesn't have the power.
It didn't come with a chuck of any kind, just a spur center, live center, and 2 faceplates. I had to wait a month or so to get my 3-jaw chuck, which I ordered from HFT online (2 weeks for next check, 2 weeks for delivery).
It wasn't until after I had all of that that I got my mandrel and first few kits from PSI .... but I still had to figure out a way to drill my blanks without a specialty vise on my drill press or somehow drill it on the lathe ....
So .... I found out that I can turn my blanks round between centers, and then chuck the rounded blank in my 3-jaw after cutting it to size and squaring the face, and drill right there on the lathe. I didn't start out with a Jacobs chuck ... I held the bit by hand in the keyless chuck I removed from an old drill.
These days I have the keyed jacobs chuck with a #1MT, and I use that for better accuracy, but either way works well enough to make a nice pen.
However you choose to drill your blanks, some things to keep in mind ....
Drilling exactly on center from one end to the other is NOT a critical factor for most blanks .... you can be slightly off center and still make a beautiful pen... Unless you are working with a segmented or designer pen blank with something that MUST be on center all the way through. (Like a laser cut or double cast blank).
Working on the pen blank, if it's not segmented or one of those specialty blanks, none of the measurements need to be CRITICAL except for the SIZE of the hole and it's length (it has to at least be long enough). Nothing else is critical til after you've glued that tube into the blank. After that, perfection (or as close to it as you can get) becomes the key.