« back to Woodworking Skill Share forum
Forum topic by mrjello | posted 03-10-2010 08:40 PM | 12845 views | 0 times favorited | 8 replies | ![]() |
![]() |
03-10-2010 08:40 PM |
Topic tags/keywords: pen acrylic turning plastic lathe acrylic blank pen blanks pen turning question tip busted exploded help turning help I’m new to turning, brand new. Now, I’m trying to turn another Acrylic and the blank busted out when I drilled the blank. Got the tube glue in and the barrel trimmed up nice. Went to turn the blank and was able to get it in round. I would really appreciate some insight on this ( as there is wisdom in a multitude of counselors ) Questions I have: |
8 replies so far
#1 posted 03-10-2010 08:59 PM |
I’m no expert. I have read that you need to use both slow speed and feed to prevent the problems you encountered. I also read that you should not drill completely through the blank in one direction. Using a brad point bit, drill until the tip just breaks thru then invert the blank and drill from the other end. This is supposed to prevent chip out on the ends of the blank -- Lew- Time traveler. Purveyor of the Universe's finest custom rolling pins. |
#2 posted 03-10-2010 09:04 PM |
well…drill slow….heat is generated through drilling and it can brake the plastic. I use epoxy to glue in acrylics tubes. I think its better to prevent blow outs. I also turn at high speed. I think it is more important to have really sharp tools tha worry bout speed. I just like how nice it shaves at high speed. Ohhh…sharp enough to shave hair off your arm… scary sharp. I have done lots of pens both ac and wood…check out penturners.org for tutorials and the pen masters…many LJ’s are members there to. Grub -- Educator by Day, Wood Butcher by Night!! |
#3 posted 03-10-2010 09:09 PM |
in regard to drill depth…you can prevent blow outs also by not dilling all the way and then cut the end of to expose the hole on the edge…that works to on very brittle material. best of luck, Grub -- Educator by Day, Wood Butcher by Night!! |
#4 posted 03-10-2010 09:25 PM |
This is a very common problem Go to pen sites and they have libraires filled with info on drilling The Pen Shop., International assoc of penturners and one in Australia. Tons of folks there who know pens in & out. Drill for short distance, with a sharp, sharp, sharp bit, get swarf out, and drill again. Keep blank cool and as the above folks said, keep blank a tad long and drill short. |
#5 posted 03-11-2010 07:16 AM |
Acrylic can be brittle. For long bores you need to do like is good practice for boring long holes on a metal lathe. Start with a small diameter drill like 18” dia. for the first bore, then progressively enlarge the hole with larger drill sizes in about 1/16” increments. Most drills in home workshops are “jobber’s” drills which are probably too short in the smaller sizes to make it through the hole. You will have to use “aircraft” drills which have long shanks. Probably a mail order item although I found a few at Lowe’s. When boring, make sure you use a sharp drill and take it easy. Withdraw the drill frequently to clear the chaff. Rufus -- Always remember half of the people in this country are below average. |
#6 posted 03-11-2010 08:31 AM |
I teach woodshop and the pen bug has bit my students big time. My students are having some of the same problems. I can’t always be there to watch there every move since I have 17 doing different things at one time. I might take the suggestion of cutting a little long and not drilling through, then cut off the excess. The comments about the sharp tools are a must. I was told at Rockler to make light cuts also. It takes 2-3x as long to turn an acrylic for me than it does a wood pen. The chisel I have resorted to is the carbide tipped cutter from Craft Supplies. It is an $88 chisel, but I don’t have to constantly sharpen tools for my students. Going to get 2 more for next year. They are currently using my personal one that I bought at the wood show. There are replacement tips for about $18 each. Little steep in the beginning, but worth it in the long run. |
#7 posted 04-07-2010 04:46 AM |
If you have or get a collett chuck (little pricey) you can drill the blanks on your lathe. A far superior way to drill as it is less likely to blowout the end and will be exactly centered the length of the piece. Just a few pointers. Lee -- No piece is cut too short. It was meant for a smaller project. |
#8 posted 07-07-2014 11:58 PM |
I turn a lot of pens; and use a “Colt” bit available from all the pen pushers. -- Brad~Scott |
Have your say...
You must be signed in to reply.
|
Forum | Topics |
---|---|
Woodworking Skill Share
|
12026 |
Woodturning
|
2104 |
Woodcarving
|
431 |
Scrollsawing
|
340 |
Joinery
|
1369 |
Finishing
|
4900 |
Designing Woodworking Projects
|
6691 |
Power Tools, Hardware and Accessories
|
28039 |
CNC Woodworking
|
211 |
Hand Tools
|
5404 |
Jigs & Fixtures
|
1417 |
Wood & Lumber
|
6224 |
Safety in the Woodworking Shop
|
1387 |
Focus on the Workspace
|
2153 |
Sweating for Bucks Through Woodworking
|
1185 |
Woodworking Trade & Swap
|
4753 |
LumberJocks.com Site Feedback
|
2200 |
Coffee Lounge
|
8842 |