Problem with a princess!

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SpiritRider

Member
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Jan 19, 2020
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142
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Illinois
I have ruined at least 6 PSI princess pen lower tubes and it's really ticking me off!
It happens only on the 8mm tubes and on wood or acrylic blanks. The last time I drilled three sets and two of them the tube went halfway through and stopped.

Any suggestions or thoughts?
 
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What kind of glue are you using?
For wood, I like to use Gorilla clear and for acrylic, I use a 2 part epoxy. Let them sit over night so that glue cures completely.
Another thought would be drill out a test hole on a scrap piece to make sure you can slide your tube all the way in.
Maybe your glue is setting too fast, I have done that, but it would only happen when using thin CA glue, which is why I switched to Gorilla clear.
Just trying to trouble shoot this for you.
 
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several things could be contributing. Most glues are accelerated by heat or water, so if you drill, then glue right away, make sure the blank is not hot or wet. Also some woods contract after being drilled, so you should make a slightly larger hole to avoid seizing.
 
Always make sure that the tube will fall through the hole without pressure before gluing . As Ed suggests , some woods react to the heat of drilling which pulls moisture out of the wood , causing it to contract . Probably what is happening if your drill cuttings feel moist .

The drilled hole may not be 100 % straight , as bits like to follow the path of least resistance going through wood , following the grain .

On plastics , holes end up with problems if the drill swarf isn`t cleared out frequently . Best to peck away in approx 1/4 inch increments .

I cure these problems with a rat tail file if the tube won`t fall through easily .
 
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I drill one day and glue them the next day. 2 part 15 minute epoxy.
I don't think it could be the bit because it's only on the princess pen. I did check the tubes for everything that I drilled. About 30 different kits.
 
jcm71 said:
Try drilling with a letter O drill bit. It is slightly larger than 8mm and may prevent the binding.
Click to expand...
Yes; I have a complete set (115 bits) of Fractional, Letter, and Number bits as well as a Metric set from 3mm to 13mm in 0.5mm steps. A Bit sizing chart is your friend! There are several in the IAP Library. I often find that Acrylic drills a few thousandths (.005?) larger than wood.

I often find that the bit I use IS NOT the bit on the instructions. I want a close sliding fit, but not binding. I write that bit on the printed instructions and it goes in the binder. I always try the brass tube in the drilled hole before I leave the drill press.

Wood sometimes will have "tension" built into the wood and drilling will release that tension and make the drilled hole crooked.
 
I always debur the tubes inside and out before gluing. using an RCBS crtrige deburing tool. I have gotte kits in the past with burs on the outside.
RCBS deburing tool.png
 
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