Today I drilled my first blank on the lathe using my Barracuda and a Jacobs chuck....a little slow but straight as an arrow. I believe I'll do that again.
After a while, you'll find it's almost as fast and lots more accurate than using the drill press... you actually have more control of the speed on the lathe. I converted over a year ago and haven't looked back since.
I have a few round blanks that someone on here sold me....of course I forget who...but I will be trying to drill them on the lathe also. PSI sold me a half-inch chuck so I will be able to use my lathe for the bigger kits. I broke my blank vice so my drill press is probably out of the picture.I love drilling on the lathe.
If you round your blanks first, you can use the curved jaws on your chuck and get even more accuracy.
(I don't unless I'm cutting it REALLY close size-wise. But I do lots of casting in pipe, so they're already round... heh)
I'd never be that lucky....drill press is #2 MT lathe is #1.there is a great probability that you could use the drill chuck from your drill press on your lathe. i am lucky that my drill press and lathe both have a #2 morse taper.
After a while, you'll find it's almost as fast and lots more accurate than using the drill press... you actually have more control of the speed on the lathe. I converted over a year ago and haven't looked back since.
I don't even own a drill press, and the thought of drilling pen blanks on my milling machine kind of sounds silly, so I drill with my Barracuda with pin jaws, Now I have to get a set for the new Super Nova 2. I wonder when the money stops going out, I sell some tools and I buy some tools, it's a vicious cycle.
I always use my lathe to drill blanks...The drill press and PHD vise is "colleting dust" rarely I use it..
Best reason I can think of to have a "drilling" lathe and a turning lathe.
When you think about it, you can get a second lathe that will do a remarkable job for less than the price of a decent drill press!
I know, I know...the change over is quick....but this makes a BETTER, More ACCURATE product, QUICKER! Think my wife will buy this arguement?
I don't even own a drill press, and the thought of drilling pen blanks on my milling machine kind of sounds silly, so I drill with my Barracuda with pin jaws, Now I have to get a set for the new Super Nova 2. I wonder when the money stops going out, I sell some tools and I buy some tools, it's a vicious cycle.