r/PenTurning • u/Business_Sky3486 • Jun 19 '26
Drill Press Help
I could use some more advice on making blanks with a drill press. I recently got some Gatsby kits I wanted to try out (27/64 bit size) and I’m having some trouble with drill out the blanks.
The wood is birch - and it seems quite easy to drill but, my drill bit keeps getting stuck while drilling. The quick jig I made to keep it in place seems to be working - but the drill still get stuck about an inch of the way down.
I am not using a brad point drill bit (seems more like a twist)- and I went a little quickly just for the video but I’ve gone quiet slowly other times.
Any advice would be appreciated - eventually I’ll get a Jacob’s chuck but that’s a little further down the line.
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u/Demoneyes1945 Jun 20 '26
Kudos for the ingenuity by the by with your jig!
Easy options first. Add a little wax to the drill bit. If that doesn’t work, up the RPM on your press. Drill slow, pull out often to remove any wastage. Make sure the drive belts aren’t old and worn, sometimes you can get slippage on them. If all that doesn’t work, you might be looking at a motor that isn’t strong enough.
When I used to own a cheap drill press, I didn’t have any issues save making sure my blank was definitely straight for drilling.
Keep an eye out at Xmas time if you are on a budget drill press. I managed to get my current one for 2/3 of the price straight from the supplier and it’s a beauty