Cleaning Up a Ragged Chuck Hole
by Phil Colson
Woodturner
Note: click any picture to see a larger version.
Another problem solved.
I love making weed pots. I use up the cutoffs from bigger turned pieces and I can work on my designs for pieces to be made in the future. I particularly work on the line, to get it to flow without interruptions.
I thought I would show you a quick view of the method I use. I am starting with a piece of burl cherry.
I drill a 1/4" hole and mount it on my chuck. I round it and shape it. I then sand and finish it on the lathe and then take it off the chuck.
Now for the problem. The hole in the top is ragged and has threads cut into it from the chuck. I have tried using the drill press with a drill bit that is larger and it drills off center more times than not. I tried drilling on the lathe but didn't have a way to center it. What I needed was a tapered bit that would center itself and then drill a clean and larger hole.
Solution:
the Miller Dowel 1x Drill Bit.
It is a step drill bit that start with a 13/64" X 3/4", 15/64" X 3/4", 19/64" X 3/4", then to 26/64 X 5/16". Let's just say it fits into the original 1/4" hole and enlarges it cleanly. I put the bit in a
drill chuck
and then in the head stock. I free handed the cut.
If you don't feel comfortable using this method you could use a drill press.
Happy drilling and happy turning. The picture is of me and my daughter when she was five. It was on the beach in Maine, a very happy time.
Phil can be reached directly via email at
woodturnerphil@gmail.com.
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