WayneK is a new IAP Member

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WayneK

Member
Joined
Oct 29, 2013
Messages
1
Location
Littleton, CO
Hi I am a new IAP member and only recently began making pens. I use a Jet mini-lathe. I hope some of you seasoned experts can help me improve my technique. At the moment my biggest problems are glueing the tube and drilling my pen blanks in the dead center.

1. I use Instabond CA glue but I find it sometimes sets before I can get the brass tube inserted fully. Please tell me if the epoxy glue might work better for me? Which brand of epoxy is best?

2. I use a center finder to locate the center of my pen blanks. However, sometimes the hole is badly off-center on the bottom when I drill my pen blanks. Please offer me best practices to get the drilling done better?

WayneK
 
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Hi Wayne and welcome.

Many people here use epoxy with good results. 5 minute or 15 min. I've been using loctite brand 5 min from lowes. I've used thick ca in the past too.

In a drill press you also need something to hold the blank straight up and down.

I personally drill on the lathe exclusively. If you have a chiuck, give it a try.

Dan.
 
Welcome from Southern California! This is a great place to learn the ins and outs of pen turnings. I'm not sure how visible your questions will be in the "Introductions" sub-forum, so you might want to re-post them in the "Penturning" sub-forum where you're sure to get a lot of helpful answers. :)

That being said...

I've mostly used a medium flexible stickfast CA for gluing tube into pens, but have recently started using a 5 minute epoxy especially with acrylic blanks. The epoxy is a bit messier, but it's got a longer work time and seems to hold better than the CA.

For drilling, what are you using for cutting your blanks? I use my table saw and make sure to square one end before cutting. That way, I know that the blank has a flat end which really helps on my drill press. I've also verified that the table on my drill press is perpendicular to the chuck.
 
Welcome from Tennessee. There are a few ways to drill the holes but I agree with Dan. Drilling on the lathe is much more accurate and trouble free in my experience.
 
Welcome Wayne,

I use a drill press with a vise on it to drill my blanks. I have 2 blocks of wood with a 90 degree notch or groove cut in them so that when the blocks are pressed together in the vise they make a square hole that is a little smaller than the size of a pen blank. That holds the blank vertical to the drill bit. I have cut a bunch of scrap blanks from a 2x4 that are about the size of a pen blank (3/4 x 3/4 by 2 1/2 inches or so). I use them as a test every now and then to make sure everything is adjusted squarely on my drill press. If it is off center, then make an adjustment and try another one. I also have a sacrificial piece of plywood (or something) that is about 1/4 inch thick to keep the bottoms from blowing out.

Dave
 
Welcome.
I also use Loctite 5 min epoxy now for the same reason you stated, CA sets before tube all the way in. I still use CA for my finish on wood though.

As for drilling I used a drill press with a holding fixture untill I got the chuck and 4 way jaws. Now I do everything on the lathe except cut the blanks, which is quickly accomplished on the scroll saw. THe band saw and table saw are way over in the garage, but thinking of moving the band saw inside with the rest of my equipment.
 
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