mdwilliams999
Member
I just started turning wood pens and have turned about 20-25 at this point. I have used my drill press (low speed - I believe 1100 rpm). I'm doing slimline so I'm using a 7mm carbide bit tip. I am also using a self-made jig to hold the wood and drill it center. I take my time and will make multiple passes to avoid to much heat or any build up that might cause the hole to go out of shape. Up to this point I haven't had any problems.
Tonight, I tried my first acrylic pen blank and had a bit of a nightmare. on a 2 1/4 piece of the acrylic I get about half way through and my drill bit starts to wobble and starts to screw up the hole. I pulled it up immediately, everything looked fine, and I tried again. Same problem. I made it through but with less than desirable results. I tried the other half and had the same problem. I checked by drill bit and press out everything seemed fine.
I decided to try wood again, and was able to run 3 more blanks through with absolutely no problem. I tried another piece of acrylic and had the same problems again. The acrylic is perfectly straight.
Does anyone know what is going on? Is a standard 7mm carbide tip bit not good enough (it's new off of Woodturningz), Do I need to drill at a higher or slower speed? A little lost right now.
Mike
Tonight, I tried my first acrylic pen blank and had a bit of a nightmare. on a 2 1/4 piece of the acrylic I get about half way through and my drill bit starts to wobble and starts to screw up the hole. I pulled it up immediately, everything looked fine, and I tried again. Same problem. I made it through but with less than desirable results. I tried the other half and had the same problem. I checked by drill bit and press out everything seemed fine.
I decided to try wood again, and was able to run 3 more blanks through with absolutely no problem. I tried another piece of acrylic and had the same problems again. The acrylic is perfectly straight.
Does anyone know what is going on? Is a standard 7mm carbide tip bit not good enough (it's new off of Woodturningz), Do I need to drill at a higher or slower speed? A little lost right now.
Mike