I am making a tool handle and want to drill it with my drill press so I can get a straight hole but my handle is to long to fit on the table. I can swing the drill out but how do I stabilize the blank and keep it straight while I drill thanks Mike
If you can re-chuck the handle using the tail stock to help center it. Remove the tail stock after tightening the chuck. Use a drill to hold the bit for the size hole needed chucked into a regular drill. Turn on the lathe, and bring up the bit to the center of your spindle/handle, and apply some pressure making sure the bit doesn't wander. After you have drilled deep enough to get past the point on the bit, apply harder pressure until you reach the depth you need. Do not plug the drill into any outlets, nor insert a battery if you have cordless. ................ Jerry (in Tucson)
The drill press table is normally in a horizontal position, most drill presses can be adjusted so the table is vertical. clamp the tool handle to the vertical table and drill away.
On the table saw, cut a slot in the middle of the tool handle. Cut the stock in half and glue it together. I use t5his method when making turning tools. It makes a perfect slot for square holes and a pilot hole for round ones.
If lathe bed is to short for regular bits, might want to investigate stubby drill bits?
- Can buy set of stubby auger bits from HF that are only 4" long for $12. Irwn sets a more expensive stubby set.
Another option is use 'spot' drill or 'center' drill bits. They are made typically for metal machining, but work on wood and very short. Center drills are used on metal lathes to mark perfect center for next operation. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drill_bit#Center_and_spotting_drill_bits
There's always the *********************************** shorty too; cut the shaft off shorter. Works well on spade bits. Drill bit shafts are not usually hardened like tips, so hack saw cuts them off easily.
mike, the G3 closes to 1 11/16", and compression size fully open is 2 5/16". I hope you are not making a handle too large for the jaws. Hail, you had to have chucked it to turn it. Maybe you should have said, "I ll try that but not sure my chuck is small enough it is a Nova G3 with 50 MM jaws". ............. Jerry (in Tucson)
Not sure of the hole size, I am rehandling a Benjamin's Best 5/8ths bowl gouge and a Sorby 3/8th bowl gouge. Jerry I'll check the fit one blank might fir the other won't. I'll use the drill press
You might try a real cheap fast trick. Use a Forstner bit the same size as your handle. Don't drill all the way thru a piece of 2×4, maybe half way. Then run a drill bit the size your wanting thru the center. Flip it over, slip it onto the handle and drill your hole. You'll be centered and squared.
Many folks drill with the bit in the headstock on a drill chuck. You push the handle onto the drill bit. Use an electric drill to drill a 1/2" starter hole.
I would like to be able to do that but I don't have room. I have a short bed lathe 18" between center. I was looking to make a 16" handle. I glue up a blank so I was able to make it square and get good centers.
I don't understand how a notched clamp would help. I will remember that I can see other uses
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