Drilling blanks Part II

[Woodchipper]

Last night, I was pondering the blanks I need to drill. This is an episode from the past: I was drilling a synthetic (the catch-all term) on the drill press. I let the material and the bit get too hot. Didn't back off on the bit to cool and...the blank stuck to the bit! Had a wonderful time removing the blank from the bit. Yeh, right?
After thinking about heat generation, I came to the conclusion to lower the speed of the lathe by changing the belts; ran about 300 rpm for wood and synthetics. Went through a bunch of blanks today with no trouble. I wiped the bit with a wet cloth to cool it when I withdrew it to clean out the bank and clean off the bit. Worked great and even remembered to stick a note on the lathe to change the belts before turning.
Now to turn the blanks.
And do a good turn for a blank today!

 

[egnald]

That's great news! I'm glad you found a method that works well for you and your equipment set. - Woo Hoo! - Dave

 

[mmayo]

If I need to drill numerous acrylic blanks I use a water bath. The drill bit is cooled after each blank or half blank. I also have lots of drill bits (10 in 7 mm) so I can rotate to a cool one.

Glad you had success.

Wood blanks get hot too !!!

 

[rherrell]

I use compressed air to cool the bit and the blank, I also use a lubricant when drilling plastic.

 

[MPVic]

I use compressed air to cool the bit and the blank, I also use a lubricant when drilling plastic.

Rick,
What do you use for lubricant? How do you get the inside of the blank cleaned of all lubricant?
Thanks.