I am thinking about ordering live center for boring the shaft hole on
rolling pins. Do you order a special drill bit? Are live centers difficult
to use? Any info would be appreciated.

Gary

I am thinking about ordering live center for boring the shaft hole on rolling
pins. Do you order a special drill bit? Are live centers difficult to use?
Any info would be appreciated.

The hollow live center I have us supported by the tool post, not the tailstock.
Regardless, they use a spoon bit. I got my set from Woodcraft many years ago.

Dan

On Feb 27, 8:58 pm, "Gary & Karen" wrote:
I am thinking about ordering live center for boring the shaft hole on
rolling pins. Do you order a special drill bit? Are live centers difficult
to use? Any info would be appreciated.

Gary


Gary - live centers enable one to place a revolving spindle or other
item against a stationary tailstock. The bearings in the live center
revolve with the piece - - else a stationary holder would get pretty
hot!

You need a simple chuck like your drill press has, but with a morse
taper to fit your tailstock. Then you can use it to grip your bit,
turn the piece up to 400 - 500 rpm and drill away!

See: http://www.woodcraft.com/family.aspx?FamilyID=1759

This one uses a hollow center.

D


"Dan Bollinger" wrote in message
...
I am thinking about ordering live center for boring the shaft hole on rolling
pins. Do you order a special drill bit? Are live centers difficult to use?
Any info would be appreciated.

The hollow live center I have us supported by the tool post, not the
tailstock. Regardless, they use a spoon bit. I got my set from Woodcraft many
years ago.

Dan

"Gary & Karen" wrote in message
...
I am thinking about ordering live center for boring the shaft hole on
rolling pins. Do you order a special drill bit? Are live centers
difficult to use? Any info would be appreciated.


Shell auger if on the lathe. You need a clear path through your tailstock,
and a live center which has the same. Examples of both at
http://www.packardwoodworks.com/ I like my NOVA center system, others are
fine.

I'd make a steady to help stabilize if you're going to bore through and
through with a chuck on the other end. Though for rolling pins it's just
too easy to start with a squared block and stopped holes made on the
drillpress and avoid all the fuss. Use them to center your spindle.
Alternative B is to use the center marks made by your drive and live and a V
block to bore afterward.

Hi Gary,

I won't get into the argument re 'boring vs drilling' ie. rotating the
work vs rotating the bit. Probably only important if at all, when making
holes in burl which sort of resembles metal. I imagine your rolling
pins are made of hard wood. If so, I couldn't push a bit thru the tail
stock or push the tailstock & bit by hand so I'd have to drive a fixed
bit in increments with the tailstock handwheel & ram. (boring) or drive
the bit with a hand drill (drilling). IOW, a simple hollow MT center,
dead or alive, with no set screw or no hand drill doesn't work for this
weakling, but you may be stronger.


I have drilled axial holes with a bit thru a bushing held in the tool
post and driven by a hand drill, but only for work held in a chuck with
the headstock spindle fixed. I don't have a live hollow tail center.


Dan, centering a spoon bit was tricky for me, so for long holes I
started with a center drill followed by a twist drill, then a 'D' bit.
There must be a better way and my one old spoon bit may not have had a
sharp enough point so it wandered. Any tips for Gary & me?

Oh man, I got carried away. but I typed this confusing mess, so I'll
post it for laughs. You guys will be 85 someday.


Turn to Safety, Arch
Fortiter


http://community.webtv.net/almcc/MacsMusings

On Feb 28, 7:17 am, (Arch) wrote:
Hi Gary,

I won't get into the argument re 'boring vs drilling' ie. rotating the
work vs rotating the bit. Probably only important if at all, when making
holes in burl which sort of resembles metal. I imagine your rolling
pins are made of hard wood. If so, I couldn't push a bit thru the tail
stock or push the tailstock & bit by hand so I'd have to drive a fixed
bit in increments with the tailstock handwheel & ram. (boring) or drive
the bit with a hand drill (drilling). IOW, a simple hollow MT center,
dead or alive, with no set screw or no hand drill doesn't work for this
weakling, but you may be stronger.

I have drilled axial holes with a bit thru a bushing held in the tool
post and driven by a hand drill, but only for work held in a chuck with
the headstock spindle fixed. I don't have a live hollow tail center.

Dan, centering a spoon bit was tricky for me, so for long holes I
started with a center drill followed by a twist drill, then a 'D' bit.
There must be a better way and my one old spoon bit may not have had a
sharp enough point so it wandered. Any tips for Gary & me?

Oh man, I got carried away. but I typed this confusing mess, so I'll
post it for laughs. You guys will be 85 someday.

Turn to Safety, Arch
Fortiter

http://community.webtv.net/almcc/MacsMusings

Well, I never did like the bearing, bored handles, and so many people
(women mostly) look at mine and tell me about one that they had for
years until the handle fell off. I just make mine out one chunk of
solid wood, handles and all.
robo hippy

Dan, centering a spoon bit was tricky for me, so for long holes I
started with a center drill followed by a twist drill, then a 'D' bit.
There must be a better way and my one old spoon bit may not have had a
sharp enough point so it wandered. Any tips for Gary & me?

I've only had one wander off center. Most arrive within 1/32" of the center,
which I still find amazing. I begin with a twist drill starter, too, then
proceed with the spoon bit. I use about 3 pounds of pressure and FREQUENT pulls
to clear chips from the spoon.

Dan