pipemakersforum.com

Good morning gents,

I am not quite sure what speed I should set the lathe at for drilling?

Also, if I decide to use a drill press instead, what would be the speed?

And, as we're on that subject, if I want to turn the top half on a lathe, what would be the speed?

As you can see, I'm right at the bottom of the ladder in terms of knowledge about pipemaking. The last thing I want to do is use an incorrect speed and trash my lathe...

Thanks for all your help.

SJ

Working at precise, set cutting speeds is not so crucial in pipemaking since we do not use automatic feed and in the case of turning the wood is sanded after turning anyway. Drilling- generally the bigger the drill, the slower the speed. I drill almost everything at 1200rpm, chamber drilling can be done at ca. 500rpm - I'm not sure as I bore my chambers with a turning knife.
For turning go as fast as you can while keeping safe and comfortable- it depends on your equipment, a small lathe might try to fly away if you spin a piece of briar too fast.
Super important thing- always keep all your tools very sharp, when working with wood that's even more important than the rpms.

Sea Jay wrote:Good morning gents,

I am not quite sure what speed I should set the lathe at for drilling?

Also, if I decide to use a drill press instead, what would be the speed?

And, as we're on that subject, if I want to turn the top half on a lathe, what would be the speed?

As you can see, I'm right at the bottom of the ladder in terms of knowledge about pipemaking. The last thing I want to do is use an incorrect speed and trash my lathe...

Thanks for all your help.

SJ

What lathe do you have? What are your speed choices? What type of drill bits are you using?

@Wojtek: thank you for your precisions.

@Premal:

I would be using a 8 X 12 metal mini lathe with 1/2 HP and 4 Amps.

I am aware from members of the forum that it's really not the greatest to be using a mini, that's it's more suitable for stems; but I cannot upgrade yet to a decent one in size & power.

Your questions:

- Speed is 0 - 2500 (by hand);

- Drill bit for airhole: 5/32 from Pimo (and I suspect it might be too big?); and

- Chamber: 3/4; 7/8 and 1" (Rounded) from Pimo.

That is why I was also asking about the Drill Press speeds; because it could be an alternative if I can't make it work on the lathe (until I can buy a better lathe).

Thank you.

Sea Jay wrote:@Wojtek: thank you for your precisions.

@Premal:

I would be using a 8 X 12 metal mini lathe with 1/2 HP and 4 Amps.

I am aware from members of the forum that it's really not the greatest to be using a mini, that's it's more suitable for stems; but I cannot upgrade yet to a decent one in size & power.

Your questions:

- Speed is 0 - 2500 (by hand);

- Drill bit for airhole: 5/32 from Pimo (and I suspect it might be too big?); and

- Chamber: 3/4; 7/8 and 1" (Rounded) from Pimo.

That is why I was also asking about the Drill Press speeds; because it could be an alternative if I can't make it work on the lathe (until I can buy a better lathe).

Thank you.

Are you chucking the briar in the jaws or holding in your hand?

If by hand, do not use those pimo bits. You need spoon bits and some other modified bits to drill by hand on a lathe. It is too dangerous to use the pimo bits if drilling by hand. If chucking it, you should be ok drilling from 400 to 1000 rpm.

Turning should be done at I think 800+ rpm.

Since the motor is only 1/2 hp, make small cuts and drill plunges.

PremalChheda wrote:

Sea Jay wrote:@Wojtek: thank you for your precisions.

@Premal:

I would be using a 8 X 12 metal mini lathe with 1/2 HP and 4 Amps.

I am aware from members of the forum that it's really not the greatest to be using a mini, that's it's more suitable for stems; but I cannot upgrade yet to a decent one in size & power.

Your questions:

- Speed is 0 - 2500 (by hand);

- Drill bit for airhole: 5/32 from Pimo (and I suspect it might be too big?); and

- Chamber: 3/4; 7/8 and 1" (Rounded) from Pimo.

That is why I was also asking about the Drill Press speeds; because it could be an alternative if I can't make it work on the lathe (until I can buy a better lathe).

Thank you.

Are you chucking the briar in the jaws or holding in your hand?

If by hand, do not use those pimo bits. You need spoon bits and some other modified bits to drill by hand on a lathe. It is too dangerous to use the pimo bits if drilling by hand. If chucking it, you should be ok drilling from 400 to 1000 rpm.

Turning should be done at I think 800+ rpm.

Since the motor is only 1/2 hp, make small cuts and drill plunges.

I'm chucking it. Thanks a lot for the advice, Premal. I really appreciate.

On the drill press, slower is usually better, especially when drilling the chamber, but also when drilling the draft hole.

Literaryworkshop wrote:On the drill press, slower is usually better, especially when drilling the chamber, but also when drilling the draft hole.

So, basically. kind of same of with the lathe.

Thanks, Steve, it really helps.