Drilling a blank on the lathe

[mmayo]

I have a very large 17 inch Jet drill press but I choose to drill all of my blanks on one of my lathes. The tools used to allow you to drill in your lathe are far less expensive than a drill press. Curiously the reduced expense yields better results.

Made with Meta AI glasses.

 

[duncsuss]

My apologies if you said this and I missed it - do you have the drill chuck locked into the tailstock with a drawbar? DAMHIKT, but there's a risk that the drill bit seizes in the blank and the whole thing (drill bit and Jacobs chuck) can pull loose and start flapping around. I always keep one hand on the Jacobs chuck as I pull the drill bit out of the blank to avoid it happening again.

 

[mmayo]

My apologies if you said this and I missed it - do you have the drill chuck locked into the tailstock with a drawbar? DAMHIKT, but there's a risk that the drill bit seizes in the blank and the whole thing (drill bit and Jacobs chuck) can pull loose and start flapping around. I always keep one hand on the Jacobs chuck as I pull the drill bit out of the blank to avoid it happening again.

No draw bar. I have drilled untold numbers of pen blanks without issue. I am fairly slow and careful when drilling. I'm not in a hurry usually.

Your advice is useful.

My hope in sharing is to pass on WHAT WORKS. I'm fortunate to make and sell numerous pens and other items every year so I need techniques that work every time.

 

[Woodchipper]

I have the Supernova pen jaws and insert a Jacobs chuck in the tailstock. I plan on doing several pen blanks at a time; separate kits that use one size bit. Sort of an assembly line. Just need to change bits.