what's the thinnest blank you've made a slim with?

[redfishsc]

I have a couple pieces of heart pine that are well over 150+ years old, and someone wants me to make a couple of slims (b2b) out of them, but the problem is they are barely 3/8". I drill using the lathe and I'm sure a brad point will keep hole straight.

I can drill a test scrap piece soon to see how it works, but in the meantime, I was wondering if you all have done such a thing...??

 

[woodworker]

My thinnest so far has been .45 x .45.
.375 or less would scare me but I am a novice pen turner.
Maybe some of the pros will answer this one.

 

[gketell]

I've seen it done with only 9mm of wood. Make sure to hit it with thin CA first in case it has any week points.

GK

 

[redfishsc]

Originally posted by gketell

I've seen it done with only 9mm of wood. Make sure to hit it with thin CA first in case it has any week points.

GK

Good point-- this old wood is someone light and porous.

 

[mrcook4570]

I've made slims from 3/8" square blanks. I drill on the drill press with a PHD Vise.

 

[karlkuehn]

Best I've ever done was 7/16". Took me a day and a half to unpucker. heh

 

[PaulDoug]

To be sure why not cast it first, have more to work with although I Think 3/8" is enough.

 

[JayDevin]

here are a couple I did a while back

 

[gketell]

Jay is who showed me the 9mm drill. Drilled on the lathe. Worked great until he found the hidden crack in the blank, which is why I said to stabilize with thin CA. [}] But he did complete some others just as thin.

GK

 

[redfishsc]

Thanks for the pics, Jay!

I do drill using the lathe. Looks like it may be easier to pull off than I suspected. Thanks!

 

[fiferb]

1/2" corian is the smallest I've done. Good luck.

 

[MobilMan]

3/8 aluminum rod. Pen parts fit perfect in drilled hole, but never assembled it. Didn't like the "stainless steel" finish after sanding.

 

[Paul in OKC]

Originally posted by mrcook4570

I've made slims from 3/8" square blanks. I drill on the drill press with a PHD Vise.

Same here.