Drilling Acrylic/Resin Blanks

[Penpal]

The more I hear and see of Acrylic Blanks the experiences vary so much, to me they are messy and improbable with white curlings. Amazing how they can be so beautiful. As well the infill painting makes them creative Angelo.

Peter.

 

[Mayo Mick]

I've recently cast some acrylic blanks. I'm wondering if I should drill them from both ends on my bench drill to minimise blow out? Want to avoid wasting any if possible

 

[wm460]

Good thinking Angelo.

Haven't heard from you for a while.

 

[bigbob]

I've recently cast some acrylic blanks. I'm wondering if I should drill them from both ends on my bench drill to minimise blow out? Want to avoid wasting any if possible

Hi Michael I can drill both ends on my lathe with pen jaws on and the hole is perfect but I would not attempt it on my drill press I do not think they are as accurate drilling both ends as a lathe would try it with an old blank first

 

[Mayo Mick]

I don't have any pin jaws for the chuck that I have (its an old vantage chuck from Robert Sorby that I bought new in '97, cannot get accessories anymore for it) I'll try drilling on my pillar drill, If not successful, I'll have to get myself a new chuck.

 

[Lons]

I don't have any pin jaws for the chuck that I have (its an old vantage chuck from Robert Sorby that I bought new in '97, cannot get accessories anymore for it) I'll try drilling on my pillar drill, If not successful, I'll have to get myself a new chuck.

Do a search on youtube where there are examples of home made pen jaws which you could adapt to your chuck. From memory it looked pretty simple using aluminium angle and some earth magnets

I saved it somewhere if you're stuck as I intended making it but took the easy route and bought some.

 

[21William]

I’ve found turning between centres first then drilling on the lathe is much more accurate and less chance of a blowout.

 

[Penpal]

I use a drill press and drill point DeWalt type 2 drills so called because the lead point of the drill is shaped like a small drill.

Peter.

 

[Skin-Job]

I drill with a large drill press and DeWalt bullet points.

I drill one end to a depth of 10mm, then turn the blank over and drill through from the other end.
Never had any kind of blowout since I started doing it this way.

Karl

 

[Mayo Mick]

I don't have any pin jaws for the chuck that I have (its an old vantage chuck from Robert Sorby that I bought new in '97, cannot get accessories anymore for it) I'll try drilling on my pillar drill, If not successful, I'll have to get myself a new chuck.

Just an update on this. I've tried drilling on my drill press to some degree of success. Got some blowout on a few blanks rendering them useless
I tried some in my chuck and they actually fit into it, just! 100% success rate so far, taking it easy as I'm nearing the end of the blank

 

[Bucks]

I always have a backer block whether I’m using a drill press or the lathe, I drill very carefully especially near the end and I have never had any issues with blowout.

 

[Toon]

Once I've cut my blanks, the extra bits I have left I glue together & when they are long enough I can make a pen blank out of them ( saves a lot of waste!)

 

[Penpal]

Wow a long posting well worth while.

Peter.