Facing off blanks

[mattyts]

Hi guys..after a bit of advice, I've been facing off my pen blanks in a chuck on the lathe with a parting tool but this dosent always get decent results since the chuck uses the blank for reference and not the hole, if the blank is warped slightly then the blank dosen't get faced off properly, same issue with sanding,if the blank isn't square to the hole then the tube dosen't end up flat.

I bought an end mill from Penkits UK ( which is great in theory as it uses the hole for reference and to keep it straight) but have been dissapointed with it as it is practically blunt and there is a very small gap between the head and the guidance rod for a slimline which means the wood gets reduced more than the tube,what other options do I have?

 

[Jim]

I have found that the mills aren't much help Matty, the best that i have come across is the handled one that TR sells, but only for the 7mm tubes ..

 

[Goulss]

Not trying to teach any granny's to suck eggs, but are you facing off with a live centre in the tail stock?

 

[Terry]

I made a sanding jig which is spot on. Jim might be able to find the photos!!!!

 

[mattyts]

Not trying to teach any granny's to suck eggs, but are you facing off with a live centre in the tail stock?

No and I can't,that's the problem I'm facing..unless the blank has 4 perfect 90deg angles and the hole is smack in the center,the hole will be off center

 

[Jim]

Here are two links that Terry mentions Matty ..


Link One

Link Two

 

[Goulss]

No and I can't,that's the problem I'm facing..unless the blank has 4 perfect 90deg angles and the hole is smack in the center,the hole will be off center

Is it because you don't have one or is there another reason why you don't use one?

 

[Grump]

The jig that Terry made is spot on for the job otherwise I would suggest using a parting tool and face off on the mandrel.
Or use your transfer punches in a Jacobs chuck ?

 

[mattyts]

I need something that uses the tube as a reference to keep the blank straight,I liked Alex's idea of using sandpaper instead of the mill cutter,going to adapt something similiar to that I recon

 

[mattyts]

Is it because you don't have one or is there another reason why you don't use one?

I have one but fail to see how I could use it when facing off?

 

[Jim]

Or use your transfer punches in a Jacobs chuck ?

I have good results using this method, especially on the larger tubes Brian, good call ..

 

[bellringer]

I need something that uses the tube as a reference to keep the blank straight,I liked Alex's idea of using sandpaper instead of the mill cutter,going to adapt something similiar to that I recon

have you got a disc sander if so make a jig that use steel rod of the right size as the reference

 

[mattyts]

I have good results using this method, especially on the larger tubes Brian, good call ..

How does that method work Jim?

 

[Goulss]

I have the Axminster live centre kit and that includes a very narrow insert which has a bit of length to it, so it shouldn't foul your work. If that helps!

 

[Buckeye]

If you have transfer punches put the right size one for the hole in your blank into the Jacobs chuck and a faceplate with sandpaper on the headstock and you will get good ends.

Terry's system is better, but if you already have the punches and Jacobs chuck you will be able to try it tomorrow and then build Terry's.

Peter

 

[mattyts]

have you got a disc sander if so make a jig that use steel rod of the right size as the reference

I'm thinking of using a faceplate with a sanding disc on and a jacobs chuck with transfer punches at the tailstock as reference,this should mean that the blank is squared off in relation to the tube and not the blank!

 

[mattyts]

I have the Axminster live centre kit and that includes a very narrow insert which has a bit of length to it, so it shouldn't foul your work. If that helps!

I just have usual 60deg ones,no special ones here

 

[Terry]

Jim I made a set up using a jacob's chuck and transfer punches to be used on a dedicated sander. The photos are on here somewhere and if set up correctly it is foolproof!!!!

 

[Grump]

Or use your parting tool. transfer punch, Jacobs chuck bit of tube for a spacer and bring the tailstock to it part off job done init?

 

[Jim]

How does that method work Jim?

If you have transfer punches put the right size one for the hole in your blank into the Jacobs chuck and a faceplate with sandpaper on the headstock and you will get good ends.

Terry's system is better, but if you already have the punches and Jacobs chuck you will be able to try it tomorrow and then build Terry's.

Peter

As above Matty, i use an old pen mandrel that has been squared off using sticky sand paper, the punch sizes are an exact size for the majority of tubes ..