Russknan
Member
I've been reading, with great interest, about blank drilling on a lathe. I currently do my drilling on a jig I made which is a copy of one displayed in a "Rex and Kip" book or video. (I forget which or, whether, both.) Picture is attached. I had previously used a jig I made for horizontal drilling. Neither gives the accuracy I want, although the vertical one is better than the other. I've been looking into a couple of other options, and am hoping some of the more experienced people could guide me. Each of these two options seems to offer the promise of not having to mark out the center of a succession of blanks after the equipment is adjusted. Nor would I have to fiddle with the jig placement before drilling every blank. Both are in the PSI catalogue.
First up is the "Pen Blank Drilling Center Vise" for $49.95. Looks pretty straightforward. I'd just have to align it very carefully, then attach it to a base with cleats underneath to make subsequent placement on the table a matter of guided placement and clamping.
Next option is the "Dedicated Pen Blank Drilling Chuck" for $79.95, plus a tailstock Jacobs chuck for $29.95. I'd also need to buy an adapter for the Shopsmith spindle for $16.95. So my total would be up around $150. I realize that I could go for even more versatility and get one of the Barracuda chucks (plus adapter, plus tailstock Jacobs chuck, etc.) but now we're getting into a price range that I am not completely comfortable with. Also, I'm uncertain whether having a chuck of any description on the quill feed of the Shopsmith introduces issues of its own.
Presently, I've only made one "long clicker" pen because I lack confidence in being able accurately to drill such a long blank. I only did that one because I had an acrylic blank that was round and had a hole already drilled in it. I just had to enlarge the hole and the larger bit "followed the path" pretty well.
I don't want to be stupid with my money and buy something that I will, ultimately stop using. If you tell me to definitely hold out for a larger self-centering chuck, I will just save up for awhile and do that - or do some serious hinting around Christmas time. ;-)
I will appreciate any advice you can give. Russ
First up is the "Pen Blank Drilling Center Vise" for $49.95. Looks pretty straightforward. I'd just have to align it very carefully, then attach it to a base with cleats underneath to make subsequent placement on the table a matter of guided placement and clamping.
Next option is the "Dedicated Pen Blank Drilling Chuck" for $79.95, plus a tailstock Jacobs chuck for $29.95. I'd also need to buy an adapter for the Shopsmith spindle for $16.95. So my total would be up around $150. I realize that I could go for even more versatility and get one of the Barracuda chucks (plus adapter, plus tailstock Jacobs chuck, etc.) but now we're getting into a price range that I am not completely comfortable with. Also, I'm uncertain whether having a chuck of any description on the quill feed of the Shopsmith introduces issues of its own.
Presently, I've only made one "long clicker" pen because I lack confidence in being able accurately to drill such a long blank. I only did that one because I had an acrylic blank that was round and had a hole already drilled in it. I just had to enlarge the hole and the larger bit "followed the path" pretty well.
I don't want to be stupid with my money and buy something that I will, ultimately stop using. If you tell me to definitely hold out for a larger self-centering chuck, I will just save up for awhile and do that - or do some serious hinting around Christmas time. ;-)
I will appreciate any advice you can give. Russ