On Sat, 20 Dec 2008 14:48:07 -0600, "Paul Gilbert"
wrote:

I came across some pens maid from rifle cartridges and deer antler on the
web. It seemed like a nice thing for some of my friends who hunt so I
started out to make some.

One problem. How do you drill a hole (5/64") through a copper jacket bullet
with lead in the center? I am on drill bit number 6 without successfully
making a single pen point. The bit seizes and snaps no matter what speed I
use.

I didn't think that this project was worth buying a Beal collet chuck so I
made one by drilling and tapping a piece of walnut to screw onto my
headstock. I then drilled the appropriate whole and cut an X on the end to
allow for compression. A hose clamp completed my collet chuck.

I file off the tip of the bullet so that the jacket is slightly bigger than
the drill bit. Then using a Jacobs chuck in the tail stock I try to drill a
whole through the bullet. I have used speeds from 100 rpm to 2,000 rpm. I
withdraw the bit every 1/8" and clean out the flutes, add oil and make sure
that the bullet is cool. I got through the bullet once but then the bit
stuck and snapped off. The bullets I am trying to use are 30-06 171 grain
full jacket bullets.

What am I doing wrong???

Paul Gilbert
Dallas, TX




everthing you want to know about pen turning can be found here.
http://www.penturners.org/

skeez