THO Game Calls Forums
The Art of Handcrafting Custom Game Calls => Handcrafting Custom Duck Calls => Topic started by: longbeardfever4ever on January 14, 2010, 07:11:42 PM
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Hey guys,
I've tried to drill out a few duck call barrels on the lathe, didnt work too well. I have a 4 jaw chuck, and a drill chuck, drilled slow with a 5/8" bit, but it comes out crooked. I cant drill on the drill press with a forstner bit because i have a small drill press. Should i just try a regular bit on the drill press? Or do i fix this by using an extra thick blank to drill out? I was drilling it while it was square still. Any help is appreciated, im a newbie to it. Been turning turkey calls, want to learn to drill correctly so i can do a few duck calls, grunt calls, crow calls, tube calls, and yote howlers..
Thanks!
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Hmm I wonder what is going on :huh: I have had no problems since I have gone to this set up. The only thing I do different is I drill at a higher speed.
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Only thing I can think of that may be a problem is be sure to square off the end you are drilling first. I use a chilse to start an indention for the bit ti start in so I know it starts out dead center and have had good luck that way.
I drill at the slowest lathe speed. If you drill at high speeds you will burn the wood from the heat.
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I drill with a 4 jaw chuck all the time and have no problem. First to make drilling easier the blank should be square and catch between the gaps of the chuck jaws. If the blank is cut square it will rest against the back of the chuck and should make it pretty square to the drill bit. I ordinairly drill a 1 1/2 blank and sometime it does run off a little but the hole is straight anyway so it should not make any difference if the blank is large enough to start with. You can also mark a center point on the end and check to see where the drill lines up to and it does help to drill a starting center hole although I don't do that all the time either. I use a #2 morse taper drill bit in the tail stock.
Sometime if the square blank is so lopsided you can turn it round between centers and chuck that up and you have the center point and should drill straight through.
ben
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Explain the crooked part or better yet post a photo of the hole.
Marvin
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Couple of great answers, thank you!!
I will try again this weekend, if that doesnt work out i will post up some pics. Thanks!!
Mike
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I drill on the lathe also, on square duck call barrel blanks. I chuck the blank up and mark the center point using a straight edge form corner to corner making an (x), then using a 60 degree live center I ensure the blank is centered in the chuck then re-tighten the blank in the chuck and then turn the lathe on for it to settle for a minute then drill it straight thru. I also use a 5/8 brad point bit in a Jacobs Chuck. It may not be the best way but it works for me. Good luck Mate!!
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Any reason why you don't think it is the bit? Dogcatcher told me to get set up with the Harbor Freight Silver Deming drill bit set as a cheap starter bit set for this type of drilling, and I use them for my goose calls, and everything is working out great for me.
Parker
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Try this to see if it helps.
http://thogamecallsforums.com/index.php/topic,4196.0.html
Brian
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ANother thing that will help is buying a set of small center drills from Harbour freight. Square the end before you start drilling, then start the hole with the center drill first. You'll be amazed at how easily a good, sharp drill bit will follow a small starting hole.
Good luck!
Bob
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ANother thing that will help is buying a set of small center drills from Harbour freight. Square the end before you start drilling, then start the hole with the center drill first. You'll be amazed at how easily a good, sharp drill bit will follow a small starting hole.
Good luck!
Bob
Same here.
I make sure the ends are square as can be. Chuck up the blank and bump it a little till it turns pretty true. I then use a #4 center drill, followed by using a 1/2 drill bit and drill in 1/2. Then use a counter sink to get a nice entey taper to the hole that matches my 5/8 bit. Then drill with a 5/8 bit.
If you are drilling to fast or get the bit to hot it will cut off center
STUMP
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A nail point or awl mark will do the same thing as a center bit. All the drill bit needs is a dimple to start on, the blank still has to be aligned with the bit to get a straight hole.
Marvin