Your absolutely one of the best teachers on pen turning and shop know how . I have learned so much from you the past two years and cut the learning curve and saved me a lot of trial and error . Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge and experience to the pen and lathe shop society .
you know I assumed my drill press table was level with the drill, now I will need to go grab my speed triangle and check it. what I have drilled for pen blanks has just been trees from the farm, or tube in casted so it has not been an issue - yet. my wife did has problems with some resin blanks and chip outs while drilling with the brad points so we ended up getting drill bits for acrylic for her and that has been better.
Unfortunately, due to budget and space, I do not have a drill press and have to use my lathe for drilling blanks but I have this video saved for when I am able to get one. Very helpful.
Bob, these videos are very interesting and informative. Being a retired machinist I am familiar with drilling with a drill press, however I always enjoy a little refresher demonstration as I seem to always pick up on something that I forgotten over the past 26 years in retirement. Thanks for helping us rookie woodworkers improve our skills.
Super job, Super Bob!! Shucks, when I saw the title, I knew this was gonna be a good one--so I clicked the "Like" button before the video started. And, sure enough, I'm not disappointed at all. Great work, sir!
Another informative video. A little wile back II watched your video on squaring up your blank. I perched the squaring jig and I am really impressed how well it works. Thanks
Thanks once again for another detailed "how-to." About to start my 1st blank and I'm very nervous. Needs to be straight as an "arrow" for my design to work. Really wanted to see how that custom blank came out... hope well!!
I just purchased the jig for squaring the blanks yesterday. I liked what I saw on your video on using it. You sold me on it you need to ask them for a commission(haha).
Hi Bob - Greetings from Nebraska! - Great video as always, very instructional. You have been an outstanding mentor to many of us pen turners. I have had the best results drilling all types of plastic pen blanks with bits that have a sharper grind on the end and are made especially for drilling plastics. I get them from Mcmaster Carr (McMaster.com). Of course I also still use the same method that you talk about even with these specialty plastic bits. As always, I'm looking forward to your next video - Best Regards, Dave
@@RJBWoodTurner I use water in a spray bottle and spray the bit on acrylics Also spritz water into the hole when I raise the bit to clear it. The method has not never failed me and diminishes the wait time. On some very hardwood blanks I will use alcohol to cool the bit. Agree with Bob on not using oil.
Hi Bob, great video, liked and subscribed. I'm working on an art project where I want to take a pen blank that is 1" x 6" and drill a 5" hole in it. I read all the comments here and I saw that you mentioned that quill travel is important. I'm looking to buy my first benchtop drill press and the Wen that I'm looking at has a 3 1/8 spindle/quill travel. Is there any problem with me make a first pass into the blank and then moving the table and starting the next pass with the bit already in the hole? I saw in the comments down below that you also mentioned that it is preferable to do it in one pass. Thanks. Rob
I do that all the time. Just be sure to stop and clear he chips a couple times. Otherwise they pack In There, build heat and can cause the blank to have a larger hole or to explode.
The thing you want to look for with a drill Press is quill travel. You need you make sure you can drill out an entire blank without having the adjust the table and drill twice. Regards, Bob
I was going to post this anyway, ill just do it as a response. I have a very nice Ryobi Tabletop drill press. I got a 2 axis mill setup to bolt to the table which does weigh a bit. After using the drill that way for a while the table has started to sag to the front. I have a series of blocks and wedges to stabilize the table when doing precise work now. I always level the table to the bit from the side, and the front to make sure Im really drilling straight "down". For a larger free standing drill press like his it may not be needed, but for a smaller press, table sag is something to be aware of.
Everything you need to know about turning pens! Thank you for sharing your vast knowledge.
Thank you.
Regards,
Bob
You were born to be a teacher
Thank you Edith.
Regards,
Bob
Your absolutely one of the best teachers on pen turning and shop know how . I have learned so much from you the past two years and cut the learning curve and saved me a lot of trial and error . Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge and experience to the pen and lathe shop society .
Thank you Glendell,
I really appreciate you saying that.
Regards,
Bob
Glendell Smith glendell i would agree with u
Thank you very much for your time showing us the correct way to drill
Thank you Dave.
Regards,,
Bob
you know I assumed my drill press table was level with the drill, now I will need to go grab my speed triangle and check it. what I have drilled for pen blanks has just been trees from the farm, or tube in casted so it has not been an issue - yet. my wife did has problems with some resin blanks and chip outs while drilling with the brad points so we ended up getting drill bits for acrylic for her and that has been better.
Thank you Byron.
It’s always good to make a check.
Regards,
Bob
Unfortunately, due to budget and space, I do not have a drill press and have to use my lathe for drilling blanks but I have this video saved for when I am able to get one. Very helpful.
Thank you,
Regards,
Bob
like always Bob all info is better then none that's how I'm learning from you and others, thanks Bob take care my friend god bless
Thank you Donald.
Regards,
Bob
Bob, these videos are very interesting and informative. Being a retired machinist I am familiar with drilling with a drill press, however I always enjoy a little refresher demonstration as I seem to always pick up on something that I forgotten over the past 26 years in retirement. Thanks for helping us rookie woodworkers improve our skills.
Thank you Doswell.
I really appreciate that.
Regards,,
Bob
Super job, Super Bob!! Shucks, when I saw the title, I knew this was gonna be a good one--so I clicked the "Like" button before the video started. And, sure enough, I'm not disappointed at all. Great work, sir!
Thank you Larry.
Regards,
Bob
Another informative video. A little wile back II watched your video on squaring up your blank. I perched the squaring jig and I am really impressed how well it works. Thanks
Thank you Charles.
Regards,
Bob
Hi Bob, Another great instructional video on how it should be done. Thanks Bob and take care. Cheers, Huw
Thank you Huw.
Regards,
Bob
Good job Bob.
Thank you Don.
Regards,,
Bob
Thanks once again for another detailed "how-to." About to start my 1st blank and I'm very nervous. Needs to be straight as an "arrow" for my design to work. Really wanted to see how that custom blank came out... hope well!!
Thank you Calvin,
It came out OK, I just had to leave it really thick to keep the logo from skewing.
Regards,
Bob
Thanks for taking the time to make these videos, they are always very informative and helpful to a beginner like me.
Thank you.
Regards,
Bob
Incredibly useful as always. 👍
Thank you Gary.
Regards,
Bob
Great video Bob,I liked the info on drilling acrylics,I hope we get to see the finished pen with that blank.
Thank you Norm,
I’m working to turn it soon.
Regards,
Bob
Great video Bob keep it up
Thank you.
Top tips Bob,I also use canned air to help cool my drill bits when drilling👍👍👍👍👍👍👍
That’s a great idea. Regards,
Bob
That's some great information, Bob, nice work, as usual.
Thank you Robert.
Regards,
Bob
Good information. Well done, thanks.
Thank you Bill.
Regards,
Bob
Great video Bob, thanks so much for that, a big help. Take care
Thank you Val.
Regards,
Bob
Wouldn't it be a good idea to use your square to check if the drill is perpendicular to the table at more than one position?
Yes, that would be a great idea. I have more trouble side to side so I don’t often check front to back.
Regards,
Bob
Great information. I don't have a drill press yet. However, when I do get one I'll know how to properly set it up before drilling.
Thank you Angi.
Regards,
Bob
Great info Bob! Thanks for sharing.
Take care, Dave
Thank you Dave.
Regards,
Bob
I just chuck the blank into a head stock clamp, and spin it against a drill bit in a jacob's chuck on the tail end.
I don’t like using the lathe. I prefer the drill press. If the lathe works for you then that’s the way to go.
Regards,
Bob
I just purchased the jig for squaring the blanks yesterday. I liked what I saw on your video on using it. You sold me on it you need to ask them for a commission(haha).
LOL, thank you George.
Regards,
Bob
Hi Bob - Greetings from Nebraska! - Great video as always, very instructional. You have been an outstanding mentor to many of us pen turners. I have had the best results drilling all types of plastic pen blanks with bits that have a sharper grind on the end and are made especially for drilling plastics. I get them from Mcmaster Carr (McMaster.com). Of course I also still use the same method that you talk about even with these specialty plastic bits.
As always, I'm looking forward to your next video - Best Regards, Dave
Thank you David.
Regards,
Bob
Awesome video...
Thank you.
Regards,
Bob
You should try making a pen that has a pattern like a flannel shirt
That is a very Interesting idea.
Regards,
Bob
Do you ever use a lubricant on your drill bits for added ease of drilling and keeping it from overheating?
I have but I try not to because is can interfere with the glue sticking.
Regards,
Bob
@@RJBWoodTurner I use water in a spray bottle and spray the bit on acrylics Also spritz water into the hole when I raise the bit to clear it. The method has not never failed me and diminishes the wait time. On some very hardwood blanks I will use alcohol to cool the bit. Agree with Bob on not using oil.
Hi Bob, great video, liked and subscribed. I'm working on an art project where I want to take a pen blank that is 1" x 6" and drill a 5" hole in it. I read all the comments here and I saw that you mentioned that quill travel is important. I'm looking to buy my first benchtop drill press and the Wen that I'm looking at has a 3 1/8 spindle/quill travel. Is there any problem with me make a first pass into the blank and then moving the table and starting the next pass with the bit already in the hole? I saw in the comments down below that you also mentioned that it is preferable to do it in one pass. Thanks. Rob
I do that all the time. Just be sure to stop and clear he chips a couple times. Otherwise they pack In There, build heat and can cause the blank to have a larger hole or to explode.
@@RJBWoodTurner Thank you!
Bob, Great way to present information! Do you ever use your lathe to drill your blanks?
I do for bespoke pens but I prefer using the drill
Press with square blanks.
Regards,
Bob
Great Video
Bob What rpm do drill your blanks? Thanks
Thank you Anthony.
Roughly 400 RPMs.
Regards,
Bob
good tips thanks
Thank you Peter.
Regards,
Bob
Good video Bob l was wondering roughly how fast were you drilling with the drill
I beep it slow, about 1/4” at a time.
Regards,
Bob
I’m looking into buying a drill press. Can I use a 8” or 10” table drill press to drill blanks? Can’t find recommendations on drill presses. Thanks.
The thing you want to look for with a drill
Press is quill travel. You need you make sure you can drill out an entire blank without having the adjust the table and drill twice.
Regards,
Bob
Another Great video! Question....when squaring the drill table to the bit, should you do that in more than one place?
I was going to post this anyway, ill just do it as a response. I have a very nice Ryobi Tabletop drill press. I got a 2 axis mill setup to bolt to the table which does weigh a bit. After using the drill that way for a while the table has started to sag to the front. I have a series of blocks and wedges to stabilize the table when doing precise work now. I always level the table to the bit from the side, and the front to make sure Im really drilling straight "down". For a larger free standing drill press like his it may not be needed, but for a smaller press, table sag is something to be aware of.
Awesome information thank you.
Regards,
Bob
Yes front to back squaring would be a good idea too.
Regards,
Bob
Drill RPM? I try to turn at the highest speed possible and drill at the slowest speed possible. Thoughts?
Can’t believe I didn’t mention that. I’m drilling around 400 RPM.
💖💖💖⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐👍
Thank you.
Regards,
Bob
thank u Bob... @marangozdoktor
Thank you for watching.
Regards,
Bob