Drilling of stem without tapered bit?
Drilling of stem without tapered bit?
Is it possible to drill the airhole in the stem with only normal long bits? I'm having problems in finding a tapered bit here in SA. I know it's not the ideal way to go and I will eventually get one, even if I have to get from overseas. But in the meantime I want to start trying my hand at making my own stems. I even thought of taking a normal bit and trying to grind it to a taper on my benchgrinder!
Any help would be appreciated!
Any help would be appreciated!
Thanks for the response, guys. I know Jamestown Distributors sells them and I know how to try and taper a normal bit on a benchgrinder. Just don't want to go through the agonising process of shipping and waiting to see if it gets here. A small liitle bit could easily disappear somewhere en route.
As it is, I am still doing construction work in the Congo. It is on a 2 month work and 10 day off basis. My hands are aching for the feeling of a block of wood in the hands, but somehow in that 10 days I never get a chance!
There is always so much to do! And of course the wife also needs attention!
As it is, I am still doing construction work in the Congo. It is on a 2 month work and 10 day off basis. My hands are aching for the feeling of a block of wood in the hands, but somehow in that 10 days I never get a chance!
There is always so much to do! And of course the wife also needs attention!
I know what it's like when you're itching to do something, but you're not able to accomplish what you want as quickly as you would like. There's lots of things like that.
I'm thinking go ahead and try grinding a bit to see what that gets you, but while you're at it, go ahead and order some tapered bits -- I like the 5/32" x 6" long ones, myself.
They were like $12 US each, and I bought a half dozen, the last time I ordered them. And they will hopefully last me awhile.
But the first time you draw on a pipe with a draft hole drilled by such a bit, you will see why pipemakers-in-the-know use them. That funneling action makes all the difference in the world, when it comes to how the pipe draws.
It's fine to want to get started doing something, but you also have to think long-term, as well.
I, myself, haven't made a pipe in about a month and a half because I have been busy getting my 1930's model Atlas lathe the way I want it: sourcing out replacement parts, drill chucks, live centers, and so on.
I definitely have the itch to make a pipe, myself, but I'm not losing any sleep over it, because I know that I'm still accomplishing something in the long run.
Order some taper drill bits, and while you wait, sit down and develop some designs, order some other stuff from other sources, reorganize your workspace, research some new African woods ... and definitely spend some quality time with the wife.
It will all pay off in the end.
I'm thinking go ahead and try grinding a bit to see what that gets you, but while you're at it, go ahead and order some tapered bits -- I like the 5/32" x 6" long ones, myself.
They were like $12 US each, and I bought a half dozen, the last time I ordered them. And they will hopefully last me awhile.
But the first time you draw on a pipe with a draft hole drilled by such a bit, you will see why pipemakers-in-the-know use them. That funneling action makes all the difference in the world, when it comes to how the pipe draws.
It's fine to want to get started doing something, but you also have to think long-term, as well.
I, myself, haven't made a pipe in about a month and a half because I have been busy getting my 1930's model Atlas lathe the way I want it: sourcing out replacement parts, drill chucks, live centers, and so on.
I definitely have the itch to make a pipe, myself, but I'm not losing any sleep over it, because I know that I'm still accomplishing something in the long run.
Order some taper drill bits, and while you wait, sit down and develop some designs, order some other stuff from other sources, reorganize your workspace, research some new African woods ... and definitely spend some quality time with the wife.
It will all pay off in the end.
Again, thank you to everybody.
And certainly have a good excuse to ignore the wife for a bit next time I'm home now, thanks to you pierredekat! Will print out your post when at home and show it to the wife, black on white!
Oh, and Kurt, thanks for the offer, but I suppose I will just have to wait for the proper thing.
And certainly have a good excuse to ignore the wife for a bit next time I'm home now, thanks to you pierredekat! Will print out your post when at home and show it to the wife, black on white!
Oh, and Kurt, thanks for the offer, but I suppose I will just have to wait for the proper thing.
how much of the bit gets tapered? i think i'll try this as i can't justify the expense and shipping cost for the actual bit quite yet.you can also take one of your long bits put it in a hand drill on reverse and while the bit is turning in the drill hit it to a belt grinder. Taper it your self untill you can get one. I used one of these for months, sometimes I still do.
Approx. 1" should suffice. Don't taper it to a sharp point. You need to leave about 1mm to 1.5mm width of the original cutting tip.android wrote:how much of the bit gets tapered? i think i'll try this as i can't justify the expense and shipping cost for the actual bit quite yet.
Regards,
Frank.
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Grouch Happens!
People usually get the gods they deserve - Terry Pratchett
Frank.
------------------
Grouch Happens!
People usually get the gods they deserve - Terry Pratchett
Matt, order a few items to warrant the shipping costs. Even the USA made aircraft bit is only $2.38 from Enco. You can't go far wrong at these prices: http://www.use-enco.com/CGI/INSRIT?PART ... NO=5831430hazmat wrote:Wish that were the case in my neck o' the woods. I scoured every hardware store in my area and nobody had anything long enough.Ryan wrote: I can buy a 6" 9/64 bit for about $4 at local hardware store vs. $16 at jamestown
Regards,
Frank.
------------------
Grouch Happens!
People usually get the gods they deserve - Terry Pratchett
Frank.
------------------
Grouch Happens!
People usually get the gods they deserve - Terry Pratchett
Thanks, Frank. But I did get one a while back. Was just surprised there were none available locally in the longer lengths. Even Woodcraft was a no go. They had the 3" bits but nothing longer.Frank wrote:Matt, order a few items to warrant the shipping costs. Even the USA made aircraft bit is only $2.38 from Enco. You can't go far wrong at these prices: http://www.use-enco.com/CGI/INSRIT?PART ... NO=5831430hazmat wrote:Wish that were the case in my neck o' the woods. I scoured every hardware store in my area and nobody had anything long enough.Ryan wrote: I can buy a 6" 9/64 bit for about $4 at local hardware store vs. $16 at jamestown
When you set up to drill the rod with the tapered bit, you mark it so it drills about 3/4" to 1" short of the bit end. After you've done this(this is my method, YMMV) use a long 1/16" bit to finish drilling through the rod.android wrote:this begs another point, and i know it's probably contended, but what are your preferences for draft hole, i've heard of 5/32, but hadn't heard of 9/64... and do you like to finish it off with a 1/16?
thanks.