Need some assistance in making segments

[Texatdurango]

Lately I have taken a liking to segmented pen designs and have been working with some ideas of drilling holes in the blanks, equally around the blank.

Everything I have tried so far has either been a flop or very labor intensive. My latest attempt was to create a hexagon blank then drill in the center of each side. While it works pretty well, there has got to be an easier way.

I even drilled holes freehand into turned blank but what a pain in the rear that is and not a pretty picture.

There has got to be an easier way of drilling a series of holes around a blank to where they are equally spaced and perpendicular to the cylinder.

Any thoughts anyone would care to share?

 

[hrigg]

I haven't made one yet, but jig for a plunge router mounted over the lathe bed is the method I'm going to try. Use a ¼" spiral bit. My lathe has an indexing head, which should help make sure the holes are evenly spaced around the blank. Hadn't thought of making the blank hexagonal.

 

[gketell]

A "lathe top router table" as shown here http://www.penturners.org/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=27648&SearchTerms=lathe,top,router and modified to have a drill bit guide (a block of hardwood clamped across it) and then an indexing jig like this http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=170107774014 and you have exactly what you want.

A way to drill straight, stable holes in the same spot over an over and a way to turn the blank in precise increments.

GK

 

[skiprat]

If you want to keep it simple, I think the easiest way is with an index ring and one of those tool post drill bit guides. Someone here was selling them not too long ago.

 

[Texatdurango]

Greg, Yep, that's exactly what I need, thanks. I just visited the ebay store and after reading through the specs, believe the same indexer ring can be used on different lathes by simply changing out the ring jamb nuts. I've emailed them for clarification on a pending order.

Looks like it's time to use some of the baltic plywood I have in the shop to make a mount router/drill moto mount.

 

[Blind_Squirrel]

http://www.ghwg.ca/techniques/Drill%20Guide.pdf

Edit in: It looks like this could also be easily modified: http://www.woodcraft.com/family.aspx?familyid=380

 

[its_virgil]

George, you could use one of these to keep holes equally spaced. This is advertisd for the jet mini but I don't see why it can't be used on any lathe with a 1"x8tpi spindle, or maybe they make other sizes. http://tinyurl.com/yur86m

Do a good turn daily!
Don

Originally posted by Texatdurango
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Any thoughts anyone would care to share?

 

[Texatdurango]

Don, Thanks, that's the same outfit Greg mentioned and I emailed Alisam engineering yesterday with my needs, they quickly replied and I sent them a Paypal just moments ago. I should be indexing by weeks end!

Actually, since I have two lathes, the mini and the Jet 1642EVS, I ordered the "universal" 1 1/4 inch indexing system, WIS-1.25 for 39.99 and also another 1 inch indexing plate #JIP-001 for $19.99, which comes with a jamb nut to fit the 1 x 8 Jet mini spindle.

 

[gketell]

If you buy the indexing jib straight from their website you will get it cheaper than on ebay. http://alisam.com/page/14g9e/Woodworking_turning.html

They have the "jet specific" where the indexing pin bracket bolts to the lathe and they have a "generic" that has the indexing pin in a magnetic base. They have that in various sizes for various lathes. Same price.

If you make the table, see if you can't cut an opening in the side so you can easily reach inside to clamp it down or pick up the dropped item or ... DAMHIKT would be good idea...

GK