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Having partly satisfied my pen turning urge I now am onto salt and pepper mills. Would any of you experienced spinners like to recommend the best method of boring the blanks. I have read a couple of alternatives, but was keen to explore the "on-lathe" method. In this regard I am interested to hear the most favoured type of drill bit. I am thinking that forstner bits would be the best suited but am open to your experiences.
Tks
Foxy
Forstner bits for sure :) depending on what size and which mechanisms you use ,will determine what sizes you will need , I am no expert and have made about a dozen 12" pepper/salt mills :) My original cutters were el cheapo ,but have since switched to Carbide cutters and find them much superior ,not that expensive on Ebay either . So far I have stuck with the crush grinders with a 25yr manufacturers guarantee :) A few of our Kit suppliers and stockists have them available . I started making them as a break from pens and enjoy the challenge (most times) lol.
Have fun with them ,cheers ~ John
Have a look at these , It's something I bashed up for working S&P on the lathe
nothing fancy just quick and dirty - let me know if it does what you need
Salty
I am interested in making pepper & salt shakers. Thanks for the info you supplied salty72. What size blanks do I need to start with??
depending on the length of the rod in the S&P kit you will need a blank approx 35mm longer and 50mm round is a good starting point..
remember you can also make the rod in the kit shorter
Tks John (again) and Salty for your input. All very valuable. Can,t wait to generate some more shavings. Obviously there are a lot of alternative methods to turning the mills, found yours to be fairly straight forward Salty. Had you tried other methods before settling on this one?
Foxy
As someone who makes a few $$ from turning runs a business and works full time for an employer, I try to ensure I streamline everything as much as possible For me this is the fast method I've found. you can turn the top the other way around by this is a bit harder
Hi Foxy,
I have turned a few pepper grinders mostly using redgum. Yep pretty tough stuff but very rewarding finish. I find an old fence post is about the right thickness, square it up and away you go. I think my first was about 8" long in the old measure, the longest so far is about 18". I have tried several methods of boring and have found a spade bit for a start to suit the mechanism or top piece is good, then drill through using a long auger. Yes I have made some smoke and come close to the side but I have learned too.
I use mechanisms from the local "C" wood work suppliers and have had no issues.
Contrary to pen turning, I drill through before final finishing.
Dave
As it turns out I finished these three yesterday, one from laminated hardwoods (was a support post) One from Huon pine and one from Black heart Sassafras , these use a crush grind mechanism that pushes in to the bored holes and is retained with a clip into a groove inside ,not meant to come apart :) all are just on 12" tall and approx 60 mm dia at base and ball top. So many ways to do these just have to find what you like and go for it :)
I did the same, got tired of bowls and got into mills. Then I wanted something different and came up with these.Attachment 367809
I don't see a lot of activity on here.
I turn mostly pens, bottle stoppers and several inconsequential different things, but mostly pens.
I have also made very few "grinders", the latest a pepper mill, clear acrylic body with wooden knob and base of Eastern Red Cedar, what a trip that was. When put on a Barracuda, the cedar will separate between the white and the red and I had to superglue them several times. I drilled the first hole, which was 1/4" deep and 1 3/4" dia., with the drill press and a Forstner bit. Then I used the Barracuda and my drill chuck on the tailpiece, to drill the other side, also with a Forstner. The knob, or cap, I drilled on the drill press, a 1 1/2" x 1/4" recess and the 1/4" hole for the stem. Over all, a Royal PITA. But I have another in progress, as we communicate. =)
Attachment 381518
I use the Barracuda, a drill press, and a drill-bit chuck on the lathe, in conjunction with the Barracuda, and I do MOST, but not all, of the drilling on the lathe.
I'm in Maryland, USA, on the East Coast, about 65 miles South of Annapolis, where the US Naval Academy is located.
Gonna look around here, as I am a newbie, but I'll be back whenever allowed. LOL
Geez guys, how about staring your own thread in Woodturning, rather than dredging up a 2011 thread in the wrong subforum
Quote:
Originally Posted by dai sensei
Because, geez dai, I'm new here and I don't know anyone and haven't been here before, so if this thread isn't to your liking, adios, eh!
And... I believe the "subforum" is pepper/salt mills, which we are talking about here.
So, it looks as if your wandering in search of wood has left you with nothing left to do is complain, where you're not wanted.
Actually, this is the "Pen Turning - Pen Types and Instructions" subforum. The "thread" is pepper mills, and as I said previously, in the wrong subforum to start with.Quote:
Originally Posted by Robert_M42
Quote:
Originally Posted by dai sensei
So... anything constructive, or should I say instructive, to add, since we ARE here?