Thanks for your responses so far! Are any of you using the 3/4 x 3/4 x 5 square blanks in the chuck to drill the holes first prior to turning them?
There is also an article in the library about drilling on the lathe. http://content.penturners.org/articles/2009/lathedrilling.pdf
Thanks for your responses so far! Are any of you using the 3/4 x 3/4 x 5 square blanks in the chuck to drill the holes first prior to turning them?
So many pens, so many methods.
And, for me, a few hit the "skip"!!
I don't quite understand the emphasis on being in the exact centre of the blank.
I just don't get it
All this talk about drilling dead centre on a lathe...if the tail stock is centered with the headstock then surely it makes no difference what kind of chuck you hold the blank with? (As long as it is held securely.) Once the hole has been drilled then the hole itself becomes the centre.
Now I often round a blank first too, but mainly to see what it might look like. But if I have any doubts that the blank will be big enough then I will cut the blank exactly in half first.( not to suit the tube lengths ) Then while still in the squarish I'll drill for the body tube first. If the hole exits in the centre of the blank then cool, I'll put it back in the chuck ( same position ) and re-drill for the cap size. I want as much material as possible supporting the blank while drilling, so if there may be doubt I'll leave it square:tongue:
NO! This chuck expands to hold an item such as a small box or bowlI have a JET 1014 VS lathe. Will this collet chuck work for holding the blank after I get it turned round?
http://www.woodcraft.com/Product/20...ck-1-x-8-tpi.aspx?tab=information#information
Thanks!
NO! This chuck expands to hold an item such as a small box or bowl
You need a collet chuck that wraps around and squeezes the blank.
Have a look at the photo of this chuck and collets... http://www.pennstateind.com/store/LCDOWEL.html , the collet slides into the chuck then the blank slides into the collet then the large "nut" is tightened which squeezes the collet tight around the blank.
Two collets are widely used, the "Beall" brand chuck and the "PSI" brand along with several chucks sold on ebay and other sites.
I have the Beall chuck http://www.bealltool.com/products/turning/colletchuck.php complete with a large set of collets purchased on ebay BUT if I were to do it again, I would probably buy the chuck from PSI simply because I have used both brands and prefer the knurled nut on the PSI model. After several hours on the lathe, cutting, drilling and tapping, using oil to lubricate threads and my hands and the Beall nut getting a bit oily, gripping the smooth surface to open and close the chuck becomes a bit of a chore.