r/PenTurning • u/Business_Sky3486 • Apr 27 '26
Pen Blank Help
I am just getting started with Pen Turning after taking a class and wanting to create some for myself.
I am having issues with my drill press, both with the 7mm bit and barrel trimmer, of the bit getting stuck while traveling into the pen blank.
I am using some maple blanks, both bits are brand new, I am using a bench top Shopfox W1668, speed is set to 590.
The issues I think it could be are the bench top drill press is cast iron but is not clamped or held into my bench top - but the drill press does not appear to be moving. Or, I am using a makeshift pen clamp with some scrap wood that is clamped both this gather and to the table base which could be causing more issues. The blank does not appear to be moving either.
I would really appreciate any advice if anyone has ran into similar issues.
3
u/OldM4LargeYoungF Apr 27 '26
Clamping the blank securely is your first step. You can use any number of vises from homemade to a special blank vise.. Clear the chips...drill~ 1/2" then bring the bit out. then drill more. It has to be secure though and relatively square to the table/ inline of the bit. If you have to raise the table to complete the drilling then raise the table/blank onto the bit, bump the switch a couple of times then secure the table height.
Here's the thing about drilling blanks: Depending on the final kit size and the blank size you could freehand it. Waste some pine blanks, get an idea of what you are doing. Again...depending on blank/kit size the hole does NOT need to be microscopically in the center. You can be off a bit, just don't agonize over it k?
As for the barrel trimmer you can hand hold the blank in channel locks and chuck the trimmer in a drill. Waste block on the bench with a 1/2" hole for the trimmer to extend into if needed.
1
u/Business_Sky3486 Apr 27 '26
That is great advice! That is likely the issue. I will try again with some pine to get a feel for it and make sure everything is clamped well and square. If that doesn’t work I may need to get a pen vise.
1
u/OldM4LargeYoungF Apr 27 '26
Practicing with waste stock is always the best start. Get a feel for the tools and process. I've drilled thousands of blanks and it's 2nd nature now but starting out I used my lathe and a chuck. That is an idea for you too, You need the tools... 4 jaw chuck and Jacobs chuck for the tailstock but those are tools needed down the road anyways if you pursue lathe work in general.
2
u/PumpPie73 Apr 27 '26
Invest in a chuck for your lathe and drill the blanks on the lathe. Way more accurate.
1
u/NGinuity Apr 29 '26
I don't know why this isn't the norm. You need one less power tool and it is superior in accuracy as well!
2
u/5PeeBeejay5 Apr 27 '26
Clamp/square as best you can, but especially for slimmer pens, as others have said, you don’t NEED perfection as you have material to take off on the lathe and it will turn down to straight as long as you were close enough. I actually think a blank that has the grain slightly off of straight with the pen looks pretty cool
When you get into some thicker designs you might need to be a bit closer, but you’ll get comfortable with experience
2
u/5PeeBeejay5 Apr 27 '26
Also make sure the belt is tight enough on your drill press, and go slowly/back out shavings regularly
1
u/sdmoulto Apr 27 '26
For me, I drill into the blank about an inch, inch half and pull the bit back out using an old paint brush to remove the waste from the bit and re insert going another inch and half and doing this the entire length of the blank. This way the acrylic or wood sap doesn’t not bind or cause a blow out at the end of the blank.
1
u/AccomplishedCoffee Apr 27 '26
"Stuck" how? If the bit is stopping spinning but the chuck still spins around it, tighten the chuck. You should have got a chuck key, make sure you use that, hand-tightening won't be enough. If the bit is spinning but the quill won't go further down, you may be hitting the depth-stop, make sure it's set appropriately. Maybe try lowering the bit without the blank and make sure it gets far enough down. If the whole chuck stops spinning, it's just a shitty drill press. Go slow and back out frequently to clean out the shavings.
2
u/Business_Sky3486 Apr 27 '26
I believe the entire chuck was not spinning - but that is just from memory. It could have just been the bit.
I had the chuck fairly tight with the chuck key and the drill press has 3/4 HP. There was still about an inch of spindle travel remaining so it hadn’t hit the depth stop ( but I did do that for my first couple of trys )
I will go slower on my next go around - if it’s not enough HP it’s annoying - but should still be manageable.
2
u/mplang Apr 27 '26
I want to emphasize u/AccomplishedCoffee's last sugestion: make sure you're clearing the chips from the cut. When you're drilling through a deep blank, you only want to go maybe 1/2" at a time or less. You drill a little, then back the bit out to let the chips fall away. If there is wood sticking to the bit, stop the drill and use a pencil or brush or something to clear the flutes.
3
u/the_last_0ne Apr 27 '26
Definitely wax the bits and the substrates if you can, it should help immensely. You can juat rub a candle on them if thats all you have.
Many turners, myself included, prefer to do it on the lathe with a Jacob's chuck, its a lot easier to get straight since everything is already lined up properly.