Justin H
Member
I've got a Barracuda chuck and the pen blank drilling jaws that go with it.
Pen Blank Drilling Jaws for C Series Lathe Chucks at Penn State Industries
I've used them quite a few times in the past with excellent results. It's been a while since I've made any pens, but I had a specific request for a few, so I fired up the lathe and went to drilling.
For some reason, I can NOT get clean drills. No matter what size, even stepping up sizes. Acrylic or wood, no difference.
The tube fits tightly, but the entry and exit hole at each end of the blank has a significant gap between material and tube. I can physically SEE the drill bit wobbling at times while drilling! First thing I did is try several different drill bits, from 3/8" to 37/64ths. (God I hate the over/under shotgun pen...) The tail stock is tight, I use a keyless drill chuck, which is without movement when checking by hand pre-drill. The chuck on the head-stock is tight as well.
I cannot figure out what is going on. Can someone please help? Ideas to try? Anything? I tore down my drill-press assembly that I used to use and sold my vice, so I'm not in a position to switch back in a hurry.
The blank I'm attempting to drill now is for a Nova Sceptra, simple single tube 3/8" drill. I'm getting really sick of ruining nice blanks.
Pen Blank Drilling Jaws for C Series Lathe Chucks at Penn State Industries
I've used them quite a few times in the past with excellent results. It's been a while since I've made any pens, but I had a specific request for a few, so I fired up the lathe and went to drilling.
For some reason, I can NOT get clean drills. No matter what size, even stepping up sizes. Acrylic or wood, no difference.
The tube fits tightly, but the entry and exit hole at each end of the blank has a significant gap between material and tube. I can physically SEE the drill bit wobbling at times while drilling! First thing I did is try several different drill bits, from 3/8" to 37/64ths. (God I hate the over/under shotgun pen...) The tail stock is tight, I use a keyless drill chuck, which is without movement when checking by hand pre-drill. The chuck on the head-stock is tight as well.
I cannot figure out what is going on. Can someone please help? Ideas to try? Anything? I tore down my drill-press assembly that I used to use and sold my vice, so I'm not in a position to switch back in a hurry.
The blank I'm attempting to drill now is for a Nova Sceptra, simple single tube 3/8" drill. I'm getting really sick of ruining nice blanks.