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Knowledge You Can Build On — Est. 1998

Question from non-turner

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Question from non-turner

#1

Question from non-turner

Joe in a Cleveland suburb

>Hi Folks.

I have a Jet Mini w/extension bed. Bought it over a year ago and have never used it. Just haven't had time...

In a recent woodworking mag, Chris Schwarz wrote about marking knives and making your own. I made one and thought a handle would be nice.

So I took a scrap of Cherry, drilled a hole for the knive to eventually be set into, and put it on the lathe. Now I wondering if I shouldn't have turned it firstm, then drilled the hole. But if I did that, how do you mount something like a tool handle and then drill a hole in the center?

I guess my real question is, when turning tool handles, do you drill the hole first or last for the tool?

Someday, when time permits, I will get into this whole turning thing and revisit my friend Jim in Ohio who is here often.

Thanks,

Joe

Re: Question from non-turner

#2

Re: Question from non-turner

Joe Herrmann

>Joe:

For tool handles, I always drill the hole after the handle is turned. However, for a knife handle or for another turning where the hole has to be centered, you are better off drilling the hole first and then "turn around the hole".

Drill the hole and make a wooden mandrel to fit snugly in that hole. Put the mandrel in the hole and mount the entire assembly between centers and turn it that way. If you try to turn the object first and then drill the hole, it will never be perfectly centered.

Good luck.

Joe

Re: Question from non-turner

#3

Re: Question from non-turner

DWFII

>Joe,

I make a few tool handles (not knives) where the hole should be centered.

I find it best to chuck the raw blank and drill the hole first (on the lathe). Then using a 60 degree live center I turn the handle between centers. I tried it several other ways--drilling after the handle was turned...that was a disaster...and drilling beforehand with a drill press...not so good either.

...just another 2 cents to the kitty.

DW

Re: Question from non-turner

#4

Re: Question from non-turner

john Lucas

>I drill the hole first and then turn the handle. I also do knife handle for a blacksmith friend. I glue these up with a paper joint in the middle and turn them. Then I split them at the joint and sand off the paper. His knife tangs are flat and show though the side of the handle. They are riveted on.

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