37/64" Drill Bit Woes and Question

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chaplain1101

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Joined
Oct 31, 2019
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Location
Two Harbors, MN
I purchased a "Majestic" fountain pen kit to customize as a wedding gift. The first issue was that the upper tube required a 37/64" bit. I dutifully purchased one. It was too big for my Jacobs chuck. Not coming to the forum for advice, I purchased a 3/4" Jacobs chuck. You guessed it - it would not fit either my lathe or my drill press. Will a reduced shank 37/64" bit work in my Nova Comet II lathe with a standard Jacob's chuck, or are there other recommendations?
 
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It is somewhat terrorizing when you drill a blank with a 37/64" bit. I work my way up to that size using about 6 smaller bits starting with 3/8" and going up in size using every other bit in my case (roughly).

You have to be careful that the 37/64" bit doesn't grab the wood and pull its way through. DAMHIKT.
 
I guess the deming/reduced shank bit piece was covered, but I'm just posting to repeat important information.

both THIS
KMCloonan said:
It is somewhat terrorizing when you drill a blank with a 37/64" bit. I work my way up to that size using about 6 smaller bits starting with 3/8" and going up in size using every other bit in my case (roughly).

You have to be careful that the 37/64" bit doesn't grab the wood and pull its way through. DAMHIKT.
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and THIS
d_bondi said:
100%. Make darn sure that your Jacobs Chuck's MT is very securely seated into your tail stock quill.
Click to expand...

You might want to practice with some throw away blanks. Just a suggestion.
 
duncsuss said:
... and unless you have a drawbar holding the Jaccobs chuck in the tailstock, HOLD IT there any time it's engaged with the blank, and especially while you are retracting it.
Click to expand...

Just adding on to what Duncan said. 1) NO GLOVES, you don't wan't them getting caught and pulling you in and 2) hold the chuck underhand, meaning with your palm up so that if it does grab and spin you have control. If you have your hand on top of it and it grabs it twists your wrist down and breaks your grip and you are in no position to react safely.
 
To join the thread; Sometimes the closest fit is NOT the drill bit specified in the instructions. I want to close slip fit. MSC has drill bits in exact sizes and some times I need that level of fit. I have a 12.3mm for some pens in the Cambridge class. I am lucky there is an MSC warehouse 30 minutes from my house. I just put in a "will call" order wait an hour and go pick it up.
 
d_bondi said:
100%. Make darn sure that your Jacobs Chuck's MT is very securely seated into your tail stock quill.
Click to expand...
OP; YES! a drawbar is almost a requirement with a bit this size. Some/many tapers have a threaded end (internal thread like a nut). Thread a threaded rod into the end and then add a knob, tighten. This keeps the jacobs chuck where it is. You need a hollow tail stock or drill press spindle to make this work.

Tip: DO NOT retract the drill bit with the spindle running. Stop the machine and then retract the drill bit.
 
chaplain1101 said:
I purchased a "Majestic" fountain pen kit to customize as a wedding gift. The first issue was that the upper tube required a 37/64" bit. I dutifully purchased one. It was too big for my Jacobs chuck. Not coming to the forum for advice, I purchased a 3/4" Jacobs chuck. You guessed it - it would not fit either my lathe or my drill press. Will a reduced shank 37/64" bit work in my Nova Comet II lathe with a standard Jacob's chuck, or are there other recommendations?
Click to expand...
If there is a machine shop in the area they should be able to help you out here. Most would have the ability to turn it down. I luckily have a friend with a mill and lathe in his basement that takes care of my needs and has turned bits down for me.
 
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