Making Pen Blanks

[yarydoc]

I have found that I can take a ¾ wood & metal hole saw and with a little modification cut round blanks with a 7mm hole in the center. The hole saw comes with a ¼ in. drill bit but you can dress the end of a 7mm drill bit so it will fit in the arbor of the saw. I let the 7mm drill bit stick out of the hole saw around 1 3/4 in. I cut my board that I am going to cut my blank from a little longer than needed in case the bit chips out the wood when it breaks through. Drill with the hole saw a little over half way or until the bit goes through the board and flip the board over and use the drill bit hole as a pilot for your hole saw to finish your blank. I have found that if I let the edge of the saw blade hang over the board just a little the shavings will go to the outside and the blade wont overheat. When the blank breaks free there will be about half of it hanging out of the saw. You can use a pair of pliers to get it out. Just hold it and turn the drill press on. I have made 8 pens using this and it works for me. Let me know what you think.
Ray

 

[jskeen]

Interesting technique. Do you try to align the endgrain and sidegrain sections of each disk, or do you alternate them. Or are you crosscutting the boards then drilling into the endgrain?

Some pictures would be nice, so we can see how they turn out.

 

[yarydoc]

After the blank is cut the grain is clear enough to match up. Mostly I drill through the end grain but you can drill through the grain also. I have found that red cedar is brittle when drilled this way but I am new at this so that may be my problem. I have enclosed 2 pics. The first one is the finished tool with blanks that it cut and the second is some pens I have made using it. The blanks are a little over 1/2 inch.

 

[Ligget]

Cool!

 

[leehljp]

PSI and I think a few others offer "blank cutters" as seen here:

http://www.pennstateind.com/store/SUPSYST2.html

Type in "Blank Cutter" in the "find" and you can see and order individual bits instead of the set.

 

[yarydoc]

I know they sell those online but this one is $8.95 at Lowe's. This will do about the same job, you get to put it together and its MADE IN USA. Keep sending comments. If you think there is a way to improve this tool, make it for less or if you just don't like it let me know. Thanks
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Ray Cody
Florence, Alabama

 

[leehljp]

I know they sell those online but this one is $8.95 at Lowe's. This will do about the same job, you get to put it together and its MADE IN USA. Keep sending comments. If you think there is a way to improve this tool, make it for less or if you just don't like it let me know. Thanks
____________________________________________
Ray Cody
Florence, Alabama

That is inexpensive, IMO. It seems like that is what I paid for mine 25 - 30 years ago in Louisiana. Still have it. Mine is the 1" - O.D. And I bought it at an industrial supply store that supplies oil field crews.