Ok, I know I'm hardheaded, my wife reminds me. I have seen several members talk about drilling blanks on the lathe but have never tried it myself. There is nothing wrong with the way I have been doing it on the drill press and if it ain't broke don't fix it. This morning while prepping two blanks I tried my lathe. WOW what a difference! I am hooked on drilling blanks on the lathe, no blow out or wobble like on the drill press. Thanks everyone for the tip, sorry it took so long to sink in.
Old dog learned new trick
- Thread starter tomtedesco
- Start date
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SteveG
Member
Take two pills of "Hard Head Softener", and call me in the morning!! 
Welcome to the wonderful world of drilling on the lathe! I have been using the lathe for this for a long time, but only after delaying too long, just as you have.
I do have one of those wonderful little red pen drilling vises mounted to the DP table, and use it when drilling a lot of "no problem" type blanks, as it is a little quicker. But anything that might be a challenge or have a tendency to blow out, etc. gets the lathe drilling process.
Welcome to the wonderful world of drilling on the lathe! I have been using the lathe for this for a long time, but only after delaying too long, just as you have.
I do have one of those wonderful little red pen drilling vises mounted to the DP table, and use it when drilling a lot of "no problem" type blanks, as it is a little quicker. But anything that might be a challenge or have a tendency to blow out, etc. gets the lathe drilling process.
Rockytime
Member
My wife also claims I am mule headed German. It is not true of course. Nevertheless, I resisted drilling on the lathe until just a few blanks ago. I resisted because I thought lathe drilling was too slow. It does take a few short minutes longer but the results are worth it. I just drill several prepared blanks at a time. I also use a pen mill on the lathe after turning the blanks round. This proves I'm a German but not mule headed.
endacoz
Member
Yes Drilling on the lathe is like upgrading to leather and heated seats!
I used to drill my pens horizontially on a shop smith.... pinch your hands a few times and I decided I had to try something else!
Make sure the end of the blank is smooth and fairly perpendicular.
Start slow and once the bit self centers I lock the tail stock and drill baby drill! (don't get too hot)
Thanks for encouraging us that we can always be learning!
I used to drill my pens horizontially on a shop smith.... pinch your hands a few times and I decided I had to try something else!
Make sure the end of the blank is smooth and fairly perpendicular.
Start slow and once the bit self centers I lock the tail stock and drill baby drill! (don't get too hot)
Thanks for encouraging us that we can always be learning!
Bill in Buena Park
Member
Tom, I upgraded my drill press for increased quill travel for pen blanks before I found out about drilling on the lathe. :bulgy-eyes: Now it only sees flat work, have been doing all my spindle and pen blank drilling on the lathe ever since. But just as with the drill press, you can have issues on the lathe - got to remember to clear chips often - I recently cracked a blank from overloading the bit and overheating the blank.
mecompco
Member
Another convert! The ONLY thing I don't do on the lathe is cut blanks, though one could (I use my band saw). Chuck it up, make a hole with the center drill, drill it, glue in the tube, true it with a disc sander in the lathe and turn, finish, and buff. Then, use the lathe as a pen press for assembly.
CREID
Member
Welcome to the Dark Side.
Edward Cypher
Member
It is the Marine in you. Only do it the way it has always been done. Congrats for stepping out of the 1970's. LOL Have a wonderful day. Enjoy drilling on the lathe. Helps if the tale stock has a long throw my little carb doesn't but Ricks powermatic can do 4 inches.
stonepecker
Member
I would like to know where to get longer drills? That way hopefully, I can drill completely through my blanks when on the lathe.
Gone down that rabbit hole. After Xmas I bought a 4 jaw chuck, a Jacobs Chuck, a 60 degree dead center and a proper 60 degree live center.
TBC is the only way I could assure that my Pool Cue Pen would turn out even.
I'm also halfway done with making a lathe based blank sanding jig.
I have the sanding disk and table done. Now just have to over engineer the jig itself and make some sanding sleeves. I only plan on using a 1/4" rod I made from a grade 5 bolt.
But I have a problem, I like making the jigs better than I like making the pens. I guess its because I don't sell them so I don't have a use for them after I make them. I guess selling is another rabbit hole.
stonepecker
Member
Maybe you have a nitch right there. Making jigs for sale.
Though I only have a few but all my bits I bought that are "pen" drill bits are long. My 7mm is maybe 5 or 6". It can go all the way through a blank for a one piece slim line. Most two section pen blanks I've made are 2.5" max.