Drilling pen blanks

rdewinter · Post by **rdewinter** » Fri Jun 26, 2009 2:34 am

Major Bob,

I use a pen blank drilling fence sold by Rockler. It holds the blanks extremely well. I think it sells for around $15.

I chose to mount the Rockler fence to a longer board which enables me to clamp it to my saw fence. I also put a sacrificial 1/2" plywood strip under the fence to protect my table.

I much prefer the drill press mode for drilling notwithstanding the change over time. I feel i get more accurate results.

Bob
San Diego

major_bob · Post by **major_bob** » Fri Jun 26, 2009 9:50 am

Thanks, Bob.
Many trips to Rockler and never noticed that pen drilling jig. For $15 I might try it. I like the 360 degree hold around the blank it appears to have. With a little imagination I should be able to use it in horizontal boring mode if I wish.

bob

rdewinter · Post by **rdewinter** » Sun Jun 28, 2009 2:48 am

Major Bob,
The Rockler pen drilling jig could easily be clamped to the main table and therefore drill in the horizontal mode, however, you will really have to crank down on the vise knobs to hold the blank from slipping when boring. i think in time it would compromise the holding power of the jig.

Bob
San Diego

beeg · Post by **beeg** » Sun Jun 28, 2009 10:56 am

Why couldn't ya back it up with the fence?

rdewinter · Post by **rdewinter** » Mon Jun 29, 2009 2:34 am

Beeg
Sure you could use the fence to backup the jig, but I seem to have better luck aligning the center hole in the horizontal mode. Although I might have better luck since I got the adjustable stop collar.

Bob
San Diego

tom_k/mo · Post by **tom_k/mo** » Wed Jul 01, 2009 6:34 pm

I just wanted to add a pic of my new Barracuda2 Chuck in action. What a great way to drill a pen blank, centered every time, automatically.

Sorry for all the sawdust.

joedw00 · Post by **joedw00** » Wed Jul 01, 2009 7:55 pm

tom_k/mo wrote:I just wanted to add a pic of my new Barracuda2 Chuck in action. What a great way to drill a pen blank, centered every time, automatically.

Sorry for all the sawdust.

With out the sawdust it would look like a staged picture.

fjimp · Post by **fjimp** » Wed Jul 01, 2009 8:34 pm

Given that sawdust was created using that plated chuck I'll bet it could be packaged and bring a lot of money. fjimp

charlese · Post by **charlese** » Thu Jul 02, 2009 2:17 am

Tom- that gear is just as pretty while at work as it is in it's case. Very handsome!:)

Glad to see someone else uses this simple set-up with success! I was beginning to doubt I was getting the accuracy I thought I was getting!;) What with the stories of funnel shaped holes and loose, wobbly tail stocks.

I've found the small floor nozzle (as shown in your photo) works a lot more efficiently if you can find a way to get it to sit on the back side of the carriage. I use a length of 10/3 or 12/3 shielded electric wire and tie the hose in place. Not pretty, but it works!

tom_k/mo · Post by **tom_k/mo** » Thu Jul 02, 2009 12:12 pm

Charlese,

I'll have to give that a try. The setup works pretty well during the sanding mode, but not-so-much when the chips really fly...

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Drilling pen blanks

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