Thread: Tube/drill sizes

Just because a drill has 10.5 or 12.5 marked on it does not mean that it will drill a hole that size (for a variety of reasons). Check it out with verniers.

Originally Posted by burraboy

Just because a drill has 10.5 or 12.5 marked on it does not mean that it will drill a hole that size (for a variety of reasons). Check it out with verniers.

Burraboy is spot on, I always also when you drill the hole for a tube with the recommended drill size the hole can be tight, El Grande cap tube I find is one that it happens to. I measure with a set of digital calipers and always have a drill comparison chart and a set of wire, letter, metric and imperial drills and then choose the drill to suit what I have measured.

Hey Cookie,

It also has a lot to do with the timber, some timbers pull the drill a bit as it goes through different parts of Grain. You sometimes get an egg shaped hole. I hear you it's very frustrating.

Another thing that me and Dad have found, if the drill isn't sharpened dead centre, you can get an awful runout on your hole.

just my 2c worth.

HazzaB

I measured with callipers and they were very close to size. As suspected tho I lost 3 blanks as the tube moved. ie; come out one end. This is prob because I use poly glue. Never mind experience is a good teacher.

I just drilled out a JR today, and mine was a 10.5 and a 12. 12 was a nice tight fit (to the point were there was no room for CA, but when I did a 12.5 test peice it was way to loose. I think they may have a typo in their instructions, as the last 3 I have done 12 and a wiggle seems like the riht fit.

Can I ask everyone how they drill their blanks?

Originally Posted by Gcollie3810

I just drilled out a JR today, and mine was a 10.5 and a 12. 12 was a nice tight fit (to the point were there was no room for CA, but when I did a 12.5 test peice it was way to loose. I think they may have a typo in their instructions, as the last 3 I have done 12 and a wiggle seems like the riht fit.

Can I ask everyone how they drill their blanks?

I hold my blanks with a set of Vicmarc pin jaws and drill on the lathe

I was just wondering if any of you pen makers use single flute twist drills and if they make any difference to the wandering that often occurs when drilling into end grain. I have some standard lamp or shell augers for drilling very long 8 and 10mm holes in endgrain, they are pretty good too. The hardest hole for me to drill is a 5mm hole, 300mm long, I made up a D bit for that, slow but effective.

Hey Gcollie3810. Here's a few pics of my pen blank drilling set up. Lot's of tryal & error, but this setup is very accurite and if drilled slowly, and every 10mm or so, lift the drill bit out of the hole to clear away sawdust, then when getting close to the end of the blank, ease up on the downward pressure so the end of the blank won't blow out or crack. SLOWLY does it !

Originally Posted by bdar

I hold my blanks with a set of Vicmarc pin jaws and drill on the lathe

ditto

Hey Pariss,

You sure you do stuff in that shed??

Looks far too clean still

Ady

I drill using my pedestal drill or the lathe as appropriate as some of the blanks I drill are a bit unusual . If you use the lathe, it MUST be lined up before you start, otherwise you can end up with a hole much larger than intended.

To size the drill bit I have a series of drill sizing plates (metric, imperial and numbered - from Ebay, search for drill gauge), similar to the photo attached, with drill bit sets to suit. Gawdelpus put me on to these, just put your tube in the hole that fits best, then use the drill identified.

Cheers

Hey Ady,

I reckon you are right, he goes down to the local wood work display shop and sets up photo's

HazzaB

Ps I will post a real pic in the Pen Turning Corner Thread.

Originally Posted by Adynaton

Hey Pariss,

You sure you do stuff in that shed??

Looks far too clean still

Ady

Hey Ady, yeah, of course I do, ha ha. Been milling a bunch of Red Tulip Oak this morning for the Woodwork Forums 2011 Box making challenge. And there is actually saw dust and shavings everywhere. I'm trying to stop & control myself from going back out there this arvo to clean and vacume. Won't be able to sleep tonite