How do you square your blanks?

[DaddyG]

I use a barrel trimmer for my 7 mm slimlines and am going to be ordering other kits so don't know the best way to square kits with different bores.

So just wondering how you guys do it.

Thanks in advance.

 

[flexi]

I use a combination of ways.....a barrel trimmer with various stems to suit different dia tubes.....but lately i have also been using a disc sander with pin punches and a v block.....when set correctly its very quick and easy....
I think there is a file on this too in the archieve

 

[Bill Mooney]

I use a disc sander & jig. The jig is a v block with the appropriate size transfer punch & the sliding mitre square. Just make sure your table & square are square to the disc. Quick & easy.

 

[DaddyG]

Going to have to ask what do you use the punches for?

And next question best place to get said punches in suitable sizes?

 

[flexi]

E bay......and you select the best fitting dia punch to the tube....clip it to a 'V' block and possition it 1/2" short of your disc.....turn on sander and slide blank forward on snug punch
Silverline 250575 Transfer Punch Set, 2 - 13 mm 28-Piece 689744733384 | eBay
I have these...

SILVERLINE MAGNETIC V BLOCK - 244994 5055058132697 | eBay

And a v block

Ps i have no links or connections to any of the sellers they are just representative of whats available!

 

[wm460]

This is what I made for my lathe.

I turned this up on my metal lathe, can be made out of wood, corian what ever.



Sand paper attached with double sided tape.



Transfer punch in drill chuck in tail stock.

 

[wm460]

Going to have to ask what do you use the punches for?

A transfer punch is a punch (usually in an index set) of a specific outer diameter that is non-tapered and extends the entire length of the punch (except for the tip). It is used to tightly fit the tolerances of an existing hole and, when struck, precisely transfer the center of that hole to another surface. It can be used, for example, to duplicate the hole patterns in a part, or precisely set locations for threaded holes (created by drilling and tapping) to bolt an object to a surface.

Being used.

Transfer Punches

 

[Penpal]

I use two sets of transfer punches (metric and imperial) in a captive drill chuck (the type used in hammer drills for long,strong holding ability) facing a 12 inch sander dedicated to the task. I stress absolute care in set up to get accurate right angles in every direction.

Peter.

 

[Penpal]

I found some pics to show my squaring set up for all blanks.

Peter.

 

[DaddyG]

Thanks for all the help, good to see the setups I think for now I'm going with a trimmer with different size bits help keep the cost down.

Now I've seen how others do it will get this lot on my ever growing wish list!! Going to add the disc sander to my watch list and see if I can save a few pennies!?

Thanks again.

 

[21William]

Disc sander for me as well.

 

[Paul hd]

Thanks for all the help, good to see the setups I think for now I'm going with a trimmer with different size bits help keep the cost down.

Thanks again.

I like my 4 blade 7mm trimmer but it is a pain with the bigger tubes.

So I ordered one of these today. Woodturning Lathe Pen-Mill/Trimmer HSS 7- Piece set New 6 edge | eBay

 

[DaddyG]

Thanks I've just found a 7 bit set on Stiles and Bates I'm going to order for now should keep me going with what I need for now, but going to get a sander setup soon as I can.

 

[Penpal]

I found no joy in losing heaps of work due to the roughing,splitting that comes with using Pen mill trimmers. Can be a boon to clean out the tubes after glueing.

Peter.

 

[Penpal]

This is my thirty plus yr old blank trimmer called those days a step drill,always used by hand for utmost care and precision is guaranteed by the neat fit of the front stem. It carefully cleans the brass end with a champher. This one I use for all my Slimline pens. I enclose some variations of this.Food for thought this was the only device you could buy when I started,most people used it in a hand drill.Too clumsy for me so I handled mine.

If you look back up the page at my 212 inch sander you will see a block of wood with a piece of mandrel set in it that I used to face these blanks,it is held on a square mitre in the bed groove.

Peter.