Yet Another Bush Related Question

[Garno]

How critical is it when drilling the pen blanks that the size is spot on?
If I have some tubes measuring 9.25mm do I drill 9.2 or 9.3? also could I get away with drill a 9.5 hole for a 9.4 tube?

Really sorry for all these questions and in a few months I will look back on these and think what a dumb question but being new to all of this I feel they are important whilst at the same time thinking it will make no real difference,

 

[flexi]

Hi mate, we all like a nice snug fit... I have a set of both metric and imperial bits neither were expensive Machine mart I think... What I tend to do is go nearest size and as I use Gorilla PU which foams it tends to fill voids and holds very well.
As to how much is toooo much slack, I'm happy to the nearest mm, if I can't get that close then imperial! If I co*k up a wrap of masking tape can work, but don't overlap it...
BTW I don't use CA or two part glues just Gorilla!

 

[Garno]

Hi mate, we all like a nice snug fit... I have a set of both metric and imperial bits neither were expensive Machine mart I think... What I tend to do is go nearest size and as I use Gorilla PU which foams it tends to fill voids and holds very well.
As to how much is toooo much slack, I'm happy to the nearest mm, if I can't get that close then imperial! If I co*k up a wrap of masking tape can work, but don't overlap it...
BTW I don't use CA or two part glues just Gorilla!

What's the cure time with Gorilla and is it prone to any more fails as opposed to CA medium?

 

[Bill Mooney]

Gary I have 2 drill plates made by Silverline 1 is metric & the other imperial. They have a series of different sizes holes equivalent to drill sizes. Push the tube through the holes till you find the most suitable fit then read off the drill size. Sometimes you find an imperial drill is just as good as a metric drill. If like me you have a stock of imperial drills you might find a suitable size & save you buying a new drill. I bought my drill plates from Amazon.

 

[Dalboy]

I tend to drill the same size as the tube before doing a test fit if it slides in then it is fine if tight I go to the next size up. No tube should be too a loose fit in as much that it wobbles about in the hole.
If you go to the polyurethane glue be careful that while letting it dry that it does not push the tube out of the blank and yes it has happened to me in the past.

 

[21William]

The biggest fail for me with Gorilla glue is that it sets in the bottle before you can use it all! Apart from maybe thin CA you need enough room between the blank and the tube for the adhesive.

 

[silver]

Gary I have 2 drill plates made by Silverline 1 is metric & the other imperial. They have a series of different sizes holes equivalent to drill sizes. Push the tube through the holes till you find the most suitable fit then read off the drill size. Sometimes you find an imperial drill is just as good as a metric drill. If like me you have a stock of imperial drills you might find a suitable size & save you buying a new drill. I bought my drill plates from Amazon.

Exactly this what Bill does. I don't even look at the instructions now on any new kits (Or ones I did yesterday and forgot the drill size.)



usually get one that is not a tight fit, just snug and free moving.

I use 2 part epoxy.

 

[flexi]

I haven't had any fails with Gorilla glue, I tend to batch drill and glue blanks generally leaving overnight, but I have turned the odd one after 3 hours, but that is the exception to the rule...
I buy the small bottles and generally only get to use half, but I am happy with that!

 

[alpha1]

I tend to use CA thick but I am super careful drilling the blanks. I measure the tubes and get as close as I can with the drill size. In the beginning I lost a lot of blanks until I realized size matters when it comes to drilling the hole in the blank. I have used Gorilla glue and it definitely fills gaps better than CA.
When I very first started I was using two parts epoxy. Then I discovered CA thick.

When I first started I also used to try and turn the blank until it was level with the bushings and blew up quite a few blanks until it dawned on me sanding them is no hardship. Also the finish you achieve has a lot to do with your sanding and finishing method. So you don't need to be skimming metal of the bushings. Its all a learning curve but the Guys on here will point you in the right direction. Now we are coming out of lock down I am looking forward to booking some tuition there is a Guy not far from me in Hartlepool that is supposed to be pretty good. I am also looking forward to my local Wood Turners Club re opening.

 

[21William]

I was not a fan of using CA glue for wood until recently. Having bought larger bottles of High Viscosity CA with spray activator though I’m now a convert. If you keep the CA in the fridge it seems to last indefinitely which is a bonus.

 

[Garno]

I think with me just starting out I will be using C.A medium as that was the way I was shown on the course. Once I get more practise I may change or try other methods. Apart from that I have 2 bottles I need to use up

 

[TonyL]

I have used slightly smaller diameter drills to achieve a tighter fit. With some materials, I didn't have a problem; with others the material split/cracked when I inserted the components. Could just be me.

 

[flexi]

I have used slightly smaller diameter drills to achieve a tighter fit. With some materials, I didn't have a problem; with others the material split/cracked when I inserted the components. Could just be me.

Tony, I found that with Truestone and when I did bullet cases if I used CA to glue them in.... Sometimes the fittings being a snug fit can expand the brass tube and if there's no room to flex they break the material or with the bullet cases I was bending /destroying the fittings....
Everyday is a school day!

 

[Garno]

I have used slightly smaller diameter drills to achieve a tighter fit. With some materials, I didn't have a problem; with others the material split/cracked when I inserted the components. Could just be me.

I had never considered that happening and is something I will most certainly take into account when choosing the bit.

 

[flexi]

If you do go down the CA route, i would always advise running a small round file through the tube prior to fitting bushes or the kit hardware.....CA is almost invisible IN a tube and can add a little to the thickness of the tube wall.....it hardly ever happens but is good practice for the one occasion it actually does, again another reason i use Gorrilla.

 

[Penpal]

Plenty of wisdom here I tend to check everything including drill sizes that can be be very iffy,also a user of brown Gorilla glue .