Changes

== Cutting and Drilling the Blank ==

== Cutting and Drilling the Blank ==

[[File:DrillingPenBlank.jpeg|thumb]]Most pens consist of two pieces, in which case the kit includes two tubes. First, cut the pen blank to length in one or two pieces, each slightly larger than the length of the respective tube(s). Make a mark on the side of the blank before cutting so you can establish orientation later to match the wood grain. Also, mark the center of each cut pen blank on one of the small ends. (Diagonal lines connecting opposite corners intersect at the center.) Then very loosely clamp the opposite end in a 4-jaw chuck mounted to the lathe headstock. Insert a 1 MT Jacobs chuck in the tailstock, and insert one of the following brad point drills, based on the tube diameter specified in the kit instructions, in the Jacobs chuck. The Jacobs chuck currently hangs on a wall rack near the Wen lathe. Drills are stored inside the blue "Pen Turning" box. These brad point drill bits are designed to bore into the wood without wandering and are substantially more expensive than traditional drill bits. '''Please use these drills only for pen turning and make sure they are returned to the blue "Pen Turning" toolbox so that they do not get lost in the woodshop.''' The following drill sizes are available:

[[File:DrillingPenBlank.jpeg|thumb]]Most pens consist of two pieces, in which case the kit includes two tubes. First, cut the pen blank to length in one or two pieces, each at least 1/16” larger than the length of the respective tube(s), and more if you anticipate tear-out. Make a mark on the side of the blank before cutting so you can establish orientation later to match the wood grain. Also, mark the center of each cut pen blank on one of the small ends. (Diagonal lines connecting opposite corners intersect at the center.) Then clamp the opposite end in a 4-jaw chuck mounted to the lathe headstock. Insert a 1 MT Jacobs chuck in the tailstock, and insert one of the following brad point drills, based on the tube diameter specified in the kit instructions, in the Jacobs chuck. The Jacobs chuck currently hangs on a wall rack near the Wen lathe. Drills are stored inside the blue "Pen Turning" box. These brad point drill bits are designed to bore into the wood without wandering and are substantially more expensive than traditional drill bits. '''Please use these drills only for pen turning and make sure they are returned to the blue "Pen Turning" toolbox so that they do not get lost in the woodshop.''' The following drill sizes are available:

* 7 mm

* 7 mm

* 10 mm

* 10 mm

Fully retract the tailstock ram, slide the tailstock so the drill contacts the pen blank, and lock the tailstock. Push the pen blank onto the brad point of the drill at the marked center point and then tighten the jaws on the headstock. Power on the lathe and crank the tailstock ram to drill into the stock. Once the ram limit is reached, stop the lathe, retract the ram, side the tailstock closer until the drill makes contact with the bottom of the hole, lock the tailstock, and repeat.

Using a pointed lathe tool to create a pocket for the drill bit brad exactly on the axis of rotation is ideal. Compare it with the crossed lines. If it is substantially off center, reposition the wood blank in the lathe chuck, and try again.

Tips: First, use the pen blank to determine the depth that the drill will need to enter the wood and make a mark with tape on the drill bit. Also, a drill emerging from the end grain can tear out wood. Make sure the blank is long enough to account for possible tear out. Masking tape placed over the end grain of the pen blank can help reduce tear out. Also, keep in mind that this is an inexpensive lathe with rather high runout, so expect some difficulty drilling.

 

Tips: First, use the pen blank to determine the depth that the drill will need to enter the wood and make a mark with tape on the drill bit. Also, a drill emerging from the end grain can tear out wood. Make sure the blank is long enough to account for possible tear out. Masking tape placed over the end grain of the pen blank can help reduce tear out. Also, keep in mind that this is an inexpensive lathe with rather high runout and little precision in tailstock alignment, so expect some difficulty drilling.

== Gluing the Tube ==

== Gluing the Tube ==