| Project by TheDane | posted 558 days ago | 2589 views | 8 times favorited | 9 comments |  |
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I took on a pretty good-sized commitment to turn 25 pens for the Freedom Pens Project, and needed a pen blank drilling jig.
I took one of the wooden clamps that seldom get used, cut a 45-degree ‘V’ in each jaw, and mounted it on a scrap of plywood. The corner of each ‘V’ has a tunnel to prevent chip/sawdust buildup that would throw the alignment off, and I cut a dado in the plywood to allow for a replaceable hardboard backer to keep the bit from blowing out the end grain.
Works pretty good!
—Gerry
-- Gerry -- "I don't plan to ever really grow up ... I'm just going to learn how to act in public!"
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9 comments so far
Dusty56
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10720 posts in 1885 days
#1 posted 558 days ago
Looks like a great jig , Gerry : )
-- When did quiet and quite become the same word ? I'm guessing about the same time as your and you're did.
Jim Jakosh
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#2 posted 558 days ago
Nice jig. Good thought went into that design. I’ll bet it works well for you!!
-- Jim Jakosh.....Practical Wood Products...........Learn something new every day!!
Woodwrecker
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#3 posted 557 days ago
Smart adaptation of that clamp and base Gerry.
Looks like that jig does a good job!
-- Eric
NormG
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#4 posted 557 days ago
Wow, great idea
-- Norman
Kelen
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#5 posted 557 days ago
Look great, very functional! Happy turning…
ed220
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#6 posted 557 days ago
Great idea. Have been using a commercial drilling jig but I like yours better.
TheDane
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#7 posted 557 days ago
This just proves the old saw: ”Necessity is the mother of invention.”
In my shop, Mom gets pretty tired sometimes!
—Gerry
-- Gerry -- "I don't plan to ever really grow up ... I'm just going to learn how to act in public!"
thelt
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#8 posted 554 days ago
Great idea, Dane. I was 6 pens into a 25 pen Freedom Pen project when both lathes broke. Still waiting on the parts.
-- When asked what I did to make life worthwhile in my lifetime....I can respond with a great deal of pride and satisfaction, "I served a career in the United States Navy."
joein10asee
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#9 posted 169 days ago
Just ran across this old post, so I’m pretty late to this party…. But I just hadta say
A “Gerry Rig Jig” ... How cool!
-- Perform A Random Act Of Kindness Today ... Pay It Forward
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