How to square up pen blanks: Pen Mill & Cutterhead vs. Disk Sander

How to square up pen blanks: Pen Mill & Cutterhead vs. Disk Sander.
In this video, we compare two popular methods for squaring up pen blanks.
Cutter heads and pen mills available, here:
www.penblanks.ca/Pen-mills/

[@user-vu7hv6kw3h]

Thank you for this!! I had not thought of using the drill press instead of a hand drill, and for me, the drill press will be much easier, and more accurate than the disk sander! MANY thanks!

[@papa_kenny]

I prefer using the disk sander BUT with a jig where a transfer punch goes through the tube (like on your mill) so it is square to the tube

[@chadheinz5023]

Thank you for making these pen turning videos. Your videos seem directed to first time pen turners. From my experience dealing with many, many first time pen makers: I can see some problems in your video that might need attention:
-Assuming that the brass insert is square with the outside of the blank would be a mistake. The sanding method used on a diagonally drilled blank hole would make a poor product. Most first time pen turners will not have a centering vise, and instead will be using a drill press or even a hand-held drill with a vise or clamp. Advising against using the disc sander in this case and encouraging the use of a pen mill would be helpful.
-Inserting the mill into the blank/brass tube while running can end badly. Ensuring that the mill can easily and freely enter the brass tube, and then starting the drill while the mill is inserted into the tube will prevent accidentally gouging out and ruining the brass tube (and blank).
-Your hand is not a clamp... this also can end badly. Clamping the centering vise rather than holding it by hand would be the safe method you should be promoting, regardless of what you do in practice. If your concern is centering the mill on the brass tube: insert the mill into the brass tube, then clamp the center vise in place.
-Demonstrating how to use the pen mill with a hand-held drill and a table vise would be helpful for many first time pen turners.
-A step that isn't necessary, but I find very helpful for first time pen makers is to take off the corners of the blank... which is very quickly and easily accomplished with the disc sander. Turning the square blank into an octagon prior to mounting on the lathe can save time and prevent first time pen turners from accidentally chunking off and ruining their blank the first time they put a tool to it on the lathe.

[@grahamroberts2841]

Great video…personally I use the disk sander method…as recently my pen mill has been ripping the tubes…last lot must have been cheapos 😊 I use pen mill in a cordless drill and use a drill vies to keep square…saves swapping back and forth on my pillar drill

[@paulm7627]

The disk sander method relies on a square blank or the use of a jig that centres the blank using the brass tube.

[@brentscott5359]

I found out the hard way that the mill MUST be kept clean. It builds up heat on the tube which loosens the glue. Nail polish remover works well. And keep the cutter head sharp for the same reason. Personally I don't trust using a sander although it works well for many people. Again another informative video.

[@roybeaudry4865]

As long as you have a square jig, I do believe that it's the way to go and much less expensive. You also avoid damaging, without knowledge untill completed, the copper tube.

[@bollardfamily2739]

You need to sand from a jig that is square from the tube. This ensures you get it square. They are sold by another wood turning supplier (Barry Gross)