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

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



I trust the bullet is not loaded. The powder may be inert enough to
drill into it then empty it out. I wouldn't. The primer is another story.

--
Gerald Ross
Cochran, GA

A millennium is like a centennial,
only it has more legs.

On Sat, 20 Dec 2008 14:48:07 -0600, Paul Gilbert wrote
(in message ):

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




Your basic drill bit is ground in such a way that there is a relief angle
behind the cutting edge, which allows the bit to advance in the material
which is being drilled, with only moderate pressure being applied to the bit.
Lead, being very soft, does not require much pressure to be drilled. You have
found that out. The drill bit doesn't know it is being used on soft stuff,
but it still responds to the pressure applied to it, and really digs in. Try
an experiment, and grind your drill bit square, so it will not dig in. Likely
you will need to make a very shallow starter hole with a regular bit, so your
square-ground bit knows where it is supposed to go.


Pull the lead bullet, and make a replacement bullet from some dark,
close-grained hardwood.

Make a wooden bullet from some close-grained hardwood, and then paint it a
copper color, then coat with some good quality clear coat finish or epoxy.

toggle mother mode on, briefly -- if you are messing around with lead,
please be aware that it is sneaky stuff which leaves deposits on your
fingers, and consider washing your hands before eating or having a smoke.

mother mode off.

tom koehler

--
I will find a way or make one.

"Stuart" wrote: I don't know anything about bullets but can you melt the
lead out of the
jacket and fill it with something you can drill easily?
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
I don't know anything about bullets either, but your suggestion gave me
another idea. Find some small round rod in which you CAN drill a 5/64 hole.
Drill the bullet with a hole that allows you to press fit or glue a piece of
the pre-drilled rod.

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




the bullet pens are not made this way. you use a .308 caliber caseing
and a slimline kit. the nib fits the .308 casing. you turn a sleave to
fit inside the casing with the tube in it. google is your friend. I've
not made any yet but have seen it done and know many turners who do
this. you only use the casing. not the lead and certainly not the
primer. what you're doing could qualify for a darwin award!

skeez

This is getting silly. The original poster said he was drilling the
bullet, not the cartridge. The bullet is the actual projectile, not the
remaining parts that many people seem to want to call a "bullet".

To be clear, the thing is called a cartridge and is composed of a
casing, primer, powder and the bullet. The casing is the brass part,
the primer is the explosive "starter" at the base of the casing that is
whacked by the firing pin of the gun, which ignites the powder inside,
which then propels the bullet down the barrel and on to it's eventual
target (and perhaps the demise of said target).

Drilling a bullet isn't typically rocket science, but there a few
tricks. First, there is the issue of drilling through the copper jacket
(which can be accomplished with a regular bit and some care), however,
once you are into the lead, the bit tends to want to "self feed" so it
can be more challenging. Another poster already mentioned the trick of
changing the angle so the bit isn't as aggressive, but I've managed to
get away with just using paraffin as a lubricant and peck drilling (a
bit at a time, removing the bit fully to extract the shavings, and so
on). One problem with drilling lead is that the shavings tend not to be
extracted, either sticking to the bit or getting between the bit and the
drilled hole and causing it to bind, which with smaller bits nearly
always results in either a spinning of the bullet being drilled
(preferred action) or breaking the bit (sad face here). I tend to not
clamp the bullet that tightly, so if the bit binds I have a half a
chance to stop the drill press and back the drill out, re-lube it and
carefully move forward.

And for the person that indicated only the casing is used, that may be
for some, but the better pens typically have the bullet involved as
well. One that makes use of only the casing just looks "half done" to me...

Thanks
--Rick

skeez wrote:
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




the bullet pens are not made this way. you use a .308 caliber caseing
and a slimline kit. the nib fits the .308 casing. you turn a sleave to
fit inside the casing with the tube in it. google is your friend. I've
not made any yet but have seen it done and know many turners who do
this. you only use the casing. not the lead and certainly not the
primer. what you're doing could qualify for a darwin award!

skeez

Recently I watched a youtube video of a guy drilling tiny holes through
a brass rod. It was a carburetor part for a model engine. The key
point was that he hand-held the drilling tool. It was simply a tiny
chuck that held the drill bit. This method gave him a very sensitive
feel for the load on the bit and he could simple let go of it and let it
spin if it stuck.
BTW, he also commeted that, as long as you get the bit started in the
exact center, the bit WILL go right down the center of the part.

Pete Stanaitis
--------------------------

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

In article ,
says...


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???


Lead tends to build up around a drill bit, so it's best to keep cleaning
it as often as posible. Your main problem is perhaps when the drill bit
breaks through the last bit of the copper jacket, drills always grab as
they break through thin material, especialy if you keep up the same
pressure. You have to back off and just barely touch for the final part,
a lathe probably isn't the most sensitive of tools for feeling your way,
gently gently is the key.

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

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


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???

Try Ballistic Tip bullets. Plastic tip will not cause you any
problems.

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

Or, you could take the easy way out:

http://www.pennstateind.com/store/PKCP2400.html

http://www.pennstateind.com/store/PKCP2410.html



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




mac

Please remove splinters before emailing

On Dec 20, 3:48*pm, "Paul Gilbert" wrote:
snip

I don't make pens but I used to do some shooting and reloaded my own
cartridges so this got my curiosity up. I found this tutorial. This
guy has a very detailed discription (including pics) for making a pen
from a rifle cartridge with an antler cap. The drilling process for
the bullet is well defined.

www.woodworkforums.com/video/270BulPenTutl.pdf

Bob

Spray with spam. Or a light spindle oil. It helps
it slip. Otherwise add Crisco and get to work.
The long vege chains hand in there and lube.

Martin

pb wrote:
In article ,
says...

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???


Lead tends to build up around a drill bit, so it's best to keep cleaning
it as often as posible. Your main problem is perhaps when the drill bit
breaks through the last bit of the copper jacket, drills always grab as
they break through thin material, especialy if you keep up the same
pressure. You have to back off and just barely touch for the final part,
a lathe probably isn't the most sensitive of tools for feeling your way,
gently gently is the key.

Your basic drill bit is ground in such a way that there is a relief angle
behind the cutting edge, which allows the bit to advance in the material
which is being drilled, with only moderate pressure being applied to the bit.
Lead, being very soft, does not require much pressure to be drilled. You have
found that out. The drill bit doesn't know it is being used on soft stuff,
but it still responds to the pressure applied to it, and really digs in. Try
an experiment, and grind your drill bit square, so it will not dig in. Likely
you will need to make a very shallow starter hole with a regular bit, so your
square-ground bit knows where it is supposed to go.

Pull the lead bullet, and make a replacement bullet from some dark,
close-grained hardwood.

Make a wooden bullet from some close-grained hardwood, and then paint it a
copper color, then coat with some good quality clear coat finish or epoxy.

toggle mother mode on, briefly -- if you are messing around with lead,
please be aware that it is sneaky stuff which leaves deposits on your
fingers, and consider washing your hands before eating or having a smoke.

mother mode off.

tom koehler

--
I will find a way or make one.

1) Try to stone a small flat at each cutting edge on the drill tip.
These flats will be parallel to the drill axis. This reduces the
relief angle to 0. You could even make the relief angle a bit
negative (1 or 2 degrees). The reduced relief angle will reduce the
tendency for the drill bit to dig in. Use a light touch, a bit of
lube, and clean cuttings frequently.

2) Get more and better advice from rec.crafts.metalworking. Those
guys know how to drill anything!

scritch