Freehand Drilling

[tigercasual]

Hey guys,

I am thinking of putting together a freehand drilling setup. Any suggestions on where to start?

Cheers,
TC

[Sasquatch]

I'm not even sure what you're asking. A freehand setup by nature means it's... well... not a setup.

What are you trying to accomplish, and how?

[TRS]

I believe it's typically just a lathe, being used a little more dangerously but to great advantage.

[sethile]

...I am thinking of putting together a freehand drilling setup. Any suggestions on where to start?

You might want to check this out: http://pipedia.org/index.php?title=Shap ... e_Drilling

All the best,

[tigercasual]

I didn't realize that most pipemakers freehand-drilled on a lathe. I'm not sure how I thought they did it, but I was imagining all sorts of crazy ways... some of which, I may be crazy enough to try.

By the way, Scott, thanks for the link. That is very interesting.

Cheers,
TC

[KurtHuhn]

I didn't realize that most pipemakers freehand-drilled on a lathe.

I don't know if "most" is the correct modifier there. Some do, and some do not. Then there are some that do some days, and then don't on others.

[bregolad]

also, its a good idea to watch someone who knows how first. I did it for a while on a horizontal drill press. Scary as heck, finally sliced my finger open last week after months of close calls.

[tigercasual]

I guess that takes me back to my original question- which I'll clarify- What are the various ways is in which people freehand drill/ what are the various setups that they use to accomplish this?

Cheers,
TC

[KurtHuhn]

The link Scott posted is by far the safest method I know of.