Drilling blanks using lathe

[Jim]

I have a pillar drill sat in the shed, with one of those pen holder vices, my intention was/is to prepare all my blanks in the shed ready for turning in the lean-to .. Not got there yet, but projects as big as this does usually take me a year or two to get them finished ..

 

[Baldy]

Cost is a big part of this for me.. I have a pillar drill but it doesn't run true.. just a cheap one.. I think it got bashed in the move as the bit wobbles a fair bit will be trying to fix but the fastest and cheapest way was to do it on the lathe. That and wanted the chuck as have seen a couple demonstrations that required one for advanced projects.. ok I am putting the cart way in front of the horse but I am an old boyscout. .. Be prepared and all that

 

[Lons]

The biggest safety problem arises if the drill bit jams in the work and the tailstock is then withdrawn far enough for centrifugal force to snap the drill bit and hurl the chuck off the lathe. Working in the way you describe that isn't going to happen so the worst that will happen is that you will have too tight a grip on the chuck or not let go quickly enough and maybe get a fairly minor abrasion injury to your hand or possibly a twisted wrist. I am sure that you and the others who like to hold on to the chuck are sensible enough not to let that happen.

However, in my opinion, holding onto the chuck whilst drilling serves no purpose and here is why I believe this.

If the Morse taper is properly seated in the tailstock I can neither turn it by hand nor pull it out. Thus the friction between the chuck and tailstock is greater than the torque I can apply by hand. If the bit jams and starts to turn the chuck then the torque applied by the lathe turning the jammed bit must be greater than the friction between the chuck and tailstock. It therefore necessarily follows that the torque applied by the lathe is also greater than the torque I can apply by hand. Thus me holding on to the chuck is not going to stop it from turning. So although the risk of injury is minor and avoidable by an experienced turner, I do not recommend holding on to the chuck whilst drilling to beginners.

Once drilling has stopped and the bit is being withdrawn either to clear the flutes or at the end of the job and the lathe is still running, holding the chuck lightly once the bit is disengaged from cutting in case it catches in the hole and is pulled out of the tailstock is in my opinion perfectly safe and sensible.

Fitting a drawbar, as suggested by Eamon would make holding onto the chuck whist withdrawing the bit unnecessary too.

A logical argument Walter and I certainly wouldn't disagree with any of that. Holding the chuck is a habit for me I suppose which goes back 30 years or more and very correct to be cautious with advice given to the inexperienced, 'cos if you don't know - you don't know!
I think a minimum 7mm dia drill bit snapping would be a very rare occurrence however and would have to be caused by serious carelessness or a faulty drill bit. As a builder who drills thousands of holes on site and has severely abused, twisted and levered bits whilst doing so, I've never managed to snap a bit of that size.

 

[Grump]

I just cant do it, I would love to sit back and read without comment but it hurts so much.

What has been said above that is any different to what was said here, or here, or may other threads on the forum.
A search would have saved all this init?

You don't have to be weak or limp wristed not to be able to hold a chuck, what about dozy, old, drunk or just plain caught by surprise.
I have a big red button on my lathe, I would rather cover that with my hand than the chuck.

serious carelessness or a faulty drill bit

Shit happens, stupid is as stupid does Forest.

 

[Lons]

I just cant do it, I would love to sit back and read without comment but it hurts so much.

What has been said above that is any different to what was said here, or here, or may other threads on the forum.
A search would have saved all this init?

You don't have to be weak or limp wristed not to be able to hold a chuck, what about dozy, old, drunk or just plain caught by surprise.
I have a big red button on my lathe, I would rather cover that with my hand than the chuck.



Shit happens, stupid is as stupid does Forest.

Shoud have tied your hands behind your back Brian so you couldn't type:wink:

You're absolutely right and I hadn't read those 'cos its before my time on the forum so makes you think a bit before offering advice.

We all tend to stick with our own experiences though and really don't always know the full facts of others accidents.
I had a neighbour years ago who managed to drill a rather nasty hole in his penis. Wasn't the method at fault - he was just a dick - excuse the pun

 

[Jimjam66]

Wow - Grump stirring the pot again, leading to SEVEN pages of posts in 24 hours! A new record, Brian?

I don't drill on a pillar drill because mine is cheap and nasty, with drill runout measured in centimetres ...

I don't use a drawbar because my Record CL3 doesn't have a hole bored through the tailstock (1) and because getting an MT1 arbour threaded for drawbars is only slightly less difficult than getting Grump to not pick a fight (2).



I hold the chuck as I drill and (most especially) when withdrawing it from the blank. Learned that the hard way a year or so back when I turned an inlay blank to matchwood by having the chuck come adrift from the tailstock as I withdrew the bit. Never lost a finger, smashed a toe, broke a tooth, impaled myself on a flying drill bit or anything more than a slight abrasion on my palm from the spinning chuck. Not sure how I'd write that up in a tutorial though?

 

[Walter]

I think a minimum 7mm dia drill bit snapping would be a very rare occurrence however and would have to be caused by serious carelessness or a faulty drill bit. As a builder who drills thousands of holes on site and has severely abused, twisted and levered bits whilst doing so, I've never managed to snap a bit of that size.

In normal use (and abuse by a builder) I would agree with you Bob but with an otherwise unsupported half pound chuck on the end and revolving at 400 rpm it becomes a little more probable as the second of Grump's links shows. That said, allowing that situation to arise would constitute serious carelessness.

 

[Grump]

Whajew mean stirring it? All I did was point out that it is a subject with history and to search Felicity init?
Am I write or a meringue.

 

[silver]

I just cant do it, I would love to sit back and read without comment but it hurts so much.

What has been said above that is any different to what was said here, or here, or may other threads on the forum.
A search would have saved all this init?.

I have just. Re read the posts and it makes even better reading second time around..

Did Maurice ever come back? Just shows that its a debate that may never go away.

Nice to re kindle it though.. Also gives new members a chance to give their views on the subject..

 

[Woody]

It will if all you bloody old men shut up

 

[Buckeye]

I just cant do it, I would love to sit back and read without comment but it hurts so much.

What has been said above that is any different to what was said here, or here, or may other threads on the forum.
A search would have saved all this init?

But it wouldn't have been as entertaining and if only one person searches then only that person gets to read past conflicting advice.

You don't have to be weak or limp wristed not to be able to hold a chuck, what about dozy, old, drunk or just plain caught by surprise.
I have a big red button on my lathe, I would rather cover that with my hand than the chuck.

Yes, I have to say that I hadn't given any consideration to being drunk, but now that I have, I think losing a finger while tanked up on the lathe is quite reasonable and what a great unforgettable part of the learning curve.

Shit happens, stupid is as stupid does Forest.

Peter

 

[Walter]

Penturners.co.uk is . . . . . . most of all a place to learn from others

Need I add anything to that quote?

 

[Baldy]

I have to say I didn't mean to start a fight.. I did use the search facility but obviously used the wrong terms. I think next time I run a search will use web and not the tapatalk app.. but all advice is most greatly appreciated

 

[paulm]

If you stood your lathe on its end, would it then be a pillar drill and easier to drill with? Ok coat is on.

 

[Buckeye]

I have to say I didn't mean to start a fight.. I did use the search facility but obviously used the wrong terms. I think next time I run a search will use web and not the tapatalk app.. but all advice is most greatly appreciated

All search facilities are flawed and unless you are lucky you will struggle to find what you want straight off. Nobody is forced to answer a question so ask and see if you get an answer that is relevant, you can ignore answers that are irrelevant or poke fun at them :pray:

Peter

 

[Grump]

I have to say I didn't mean to start a fight.. I did use the search facility but obviously used the wrong terms. I think next time I run a search will use web and not the tapatalk app.. but all advice is most greatly appreciated

Hey don't apologise, that is what makes this forum such a great place, the fact we can air our views be individual and help each other.
Have a row and still be pals when we meet init?
This ain't a fight it's a debate. One which we have again and the same things will be said again init?

 

[silver]

I have to say I didn't mean to start a fight.. I did use the search facility but obviously used the wrong terms. I think next time I run a search will use web and not the tapatalk app.. but all advice is most greatly appreciated

You haven't started a fight, you have started a valid and healthy discussion that brings out the best in our forum members

In all honesty I believe that if you can't find anything through the search facility then ask away, that is what we are all here for, to help one another believe it or not....

To be honest I'm looking forward to the next new member asking the same question

Don't forget Baldy, there is never, I repeat NEVER a stupid question, don't let this thread stop you asking in the future because all of is have a debate on the correct way of drilling blanks on a lathe.. Any way..

WHAT IS THE CORRECT METHOD OF DRILLING BLANKS ON A LATHE....??

 

[Baldy]

I have to say that the forum is so welcoming to the newbie and I have enjoyed the fact that people will take time out to help and as there are plenty of opinions so you will get an answer that will help you out.. not to mention the entertainment value [emoji6]

 

[paulm]

SO.... what is the answer, did we get one?

 

[Walter]

OK as promised I have written up a tutorial. I have tried to include as many options as possible. Feel free to comment on any errors or omissions or just to hurl abuse as you choose.

Here is the link:

Drilling Pen Blanks Tutorial