Drilling pen blanks- hints
Moderator: admin
- ChrisNeilan
- Platinum Member
- Posts: 1463
- Joined: Sun Oct 27, 2013 5:30 pm
- Location: Waterford, Connecticut
- Contact:
Drilling pen blanks- hints
I was never very happy with my standard drill press when it came to centering the bit on the blank. With the Shopsmith in drill press mode, it's a snap. Just set your fence and lock the miter gage in the slot and you have a perfect way to place your pen vice where it needs to be!
- Attachments
-
- image.jpg (33.33 KiB) Viewed 5425 times
Chris Neilan
Shopsmith Mark 7, Shopsmith Mark V 1982, shortened, Shopsmith 10 ER; Craftsman table saw (1964); Powermatic 3520B lathe
Shopsmith Mark 7, Shopsmith Mark V 1982, shortened, Shopsmith 10 ER; Craftsman table saw (1964); Powermatic 3520B lathe
OK, first let me say, I haven't done a pen yet.
But if I were trying to drill out a blank, I'd probably use a horizontal drill press, if they weren't just so dang expensive. (Or, are they?)
Set the rip fence as a backstop, with a piece of scrap behind the blank, and use a c-clamp to hold it to the table. (Now, if only I could find a horizontal drill-press, with a table-saw table, and a rip fence.)
steve
But if I were trying to drill out a blank, I'd probably use a horizontal drill press, if they weren't just so dang expensive. (Or, are they?)
Set the rip fence as a backstop, with a piece of scrap behind the blank, and use a c-clamp to hold it to the table. (Now, if only I could find a horizontal drill-press, with a table-saw table, and a rip fence.)
steve
10 ER, stripped down.
Basic 10ER, Parts machine. Will be a semi-dedicated drill-press machine.
10 ER, a "survivor" of the trailer fire, in the back yard, needing restoration. Has a Mk5 headrest. Finally, stripped down.
Numerous parts, for Model 10 stuff. Except for lower saw guard, A and B adapters, I've got it.
Looking for one more, or some 9 inch extension table raisers.
Basic 10ER, Parts machine. Will be a semi-dedicated drill-press machine.
10 ER, a "survivor" of the trailer fire, in the back yard, needing restoration. Has a Mk5 headrest. Finally, stripped down.
Numerous parts, for Model 10 stuff. Except for lower saw guard, A and B adapters, I've got it.
Looking for one more, or some 9 inch extension table raisers.
drilling hint
I use the boring method. I made a jig out of some spare mdf to hold in in place and drill away. Then it's a quick table removal, switch from drill Chuck to pen mandrel and I'm all set. I'm still working out details of the jig as I go along, but it's working great.
I also made a jig to use horizontally. I cut a v-groove in a piece of scrap, attached a hold-down clamp, and voila. With the V, after I get the jig positioned and clamped to the table, I only need to adjust the table vertically if I'm drilling different sizes.
Roy
Mark V/510, Mark V/500 with parts for 510 upgrade, bandsaw, jointer, belt sander, DC3300 w/1 micron bag
Sawstop 3HP 36" PCS w/router table insert
Home designed and built CNC router, another CNC router
desktop size, Avid 5x10 Pro CNC w/ATC, CNCed G0704 milling machine
Laser engraver
Way too much other stuff and not enough space
Mark V/510, Mark V/500 with parts for 510 upgrade, bandsaw, jointer, belt sander, DC3300 w/1 micron bag
Sawstop 3HP 36" PCS w/router table insert
Home designed and built CNC router, another CNC router
Laser engraver
Way too much other stuff and not enough space
- ChrisNeilan
- Platinum Member
- Posts: 1463
- Joined: Sun Oct 27, 2013 5:30 pm
- Location: Waterford, Connecticut
- Contact:
With my setup, I never have to move the table. The vice that sits on the table is a self centering pen blank vice. I think I picked it up at woodcraft or Penn State Industries. Never fails! For repeat set ups, I have simply traced where to place the fence and miter bar with a fine tipped sharpie.roy_okc wrote:I also made a jig to use horizontally. I cut a v-groove in a piece of scrap, attached a hold-down clamp, and voila. With the V, after I get the jig positioned and clamped to the table, I only need to adjust the table vertically if I'm drilling different sizes.
I should also note that this Mark V is almost always set up as a drill press. I do my turning on a different machine.
Chris Neilan
Shopsmith Mark 7, Shopsmith Mark V 1982, shortened, Shopsmith 10 ER; Craftsman table saw (1964); Powermatic 3520B lathe
Shopsmith Mark 7, Shopsmith Mark V 1982, shortened, Shopsmith 10 ER; Craftsman table saw (1964); Powermatic 3520B lathe
Some of you might find this post of interest:
https://forum.shopsmith.com/viewtopic.php?t=13485
This is the best way I know of doing the drilling. In fact I'm about to do a little drilling today. This was an item that was well worth it price and the output has been great.
Ed
https://forum.shopsmith.com/viewtopic.php?t=13485
This is the best way I know of doing the drilling. In fact I'm about to do a little drilling today. This was an item that was well worth it price and the output has been great.
Ed