Drilling pen blanks

[Anton Smolka]

Just got my new Ryobi DP120 set-up. Sweet little DP :)

Question for the pen builders: What speed do you generally use for drilling pen blanks?

Thanks!

[Dennis Peacock]

Between 900 and 1200 RPM with a standard 1/4" drill bit or a Parabolic drill bit. Remember to clear the hole a couple of times before punching all the way through....

[Aaron Heck]

What do you guys use for centering the blanks? That jig from PSI looks nice, but for $39.99, there must be another way.

Aaron

[Tom Wynn]

I thought the same thing. Went home glued two pieces of scrap together, cut a 1" deep notch in it and mounted it to the DP table. I then adjust it as needed to center the stock up. Total cost about 45 cents for the two bolts and wing nuts. I have seen others use wood clamps which seem to work well also.

Tom

[Dennis Peacock]

Yup....Tom has it.!!!!

I used a piece of scrap 8/4 hardwood, cut a V groove in the middle on the TS and I use that for drilling the blanks as well as squaring them up with a barrell trimmer. Fast, Easy and at a great price too....FREE!!!!

I use a 6" Quick Grip clamp for my pen press and I also use a mid-sized Jorgenson Wooden Jaw clamp to press in the transmission in the lower barrell. I can easily control the pressure with the wooden jaw clamps.

[Ken Salisbury]

My set up -----

[Tom Hintz]

When I started messing around with pens I noticed a 4"-wide drill press vise at Lowe's for something like $15. I also noticed the jaws were screwed on so I bought one, made a pair of taller maple jaws with a shallow V-groove in them and use that for drilling pen blanks. As long as the table is square to the bit all I have to do is line up the center of the blank and bit and drill away. It's very fast and very accurate.