Hey guys,

So I just finished up lathing out my first handle, it's a 12" cedar handle for a musky rod I'm building for my uncle. The problme is I have the handle done but I still need to drill a hole donw the middle about 10 inches deep.

I have a wierd lathe where I can't put a drill bit on it to drill the whole so I need to use a drill press. Problem is I don't want to hurt the handle anyway by clamping it in a press and I need to make sure the hole is straigt. I was thinking about making some kind of Jig to se it in but don't really know where to start...any ideas?? The hole would have to be .822 inch thick

Jon,

You should have drilled the hole as close to the blank diameter as possible before you turned the handle. After you drill the hole the unturned grip is put on a mandril then turned to final shape. There are lots of youtube videos that detail step by step how it id done.

Don

I have used "aircraft bits" which are 12" - 15 " long Holding the grip on one hand the drill in the other run it down thru to whatever depth you desire back fill with epoxy and set the blank you should be good to go also I have re shafted rods this way basicly reaming the old blank and replacing the new blank Larry

Jon,
Can you post a picture of your lathe?

Most lathes, can have accessories added to allow you to do this job.

Here is the setup that I used on a recent handle turning project.

By the way, I have no idea where you are located, but from your e-mail it might be Minn. If so, and if you are in the Minneapolis area, you could certainly stop over and use my lathe to drill your hole.
When doing this job on my lathe, I wrap the handle in about 4 wraps of paper towels to prevent any marks from the chuck on the grip.

[www.rodbuilding.org]

Drop me a line at
hflier@comcast.net - for any help.

Roger

See if you can find some one in your are that does wood working. Drilling any other way is a risk as far as I`m concerned. How would everything stay perfectly lined up?

I bought an old Dunlop lathe thinking I would be able to put a chuck on the tail stock. Now I find out that I cannot. I bought a Rockwell at an @#$%& all set up with a three jaw chuck, face plate, Center spru and 1/2 inch chuck for the tail stock. It`s great!

Who wants to buy an old Dunlop lathe?

Bill

Ohio Rod Builders

Canton, Ohio

Thanks for all the help, I think I'm going to take my tail stock into rockler later this afternoon to seeif there is anyhting we can come up with... I'll post pictures of what we come up with!

Jon,
Remember, when you go to Rockler, if you can't find a threaded rod of the correct size, you can go with a completely new tail stock.
You just have to match the height of your headstock and be able to have the base of the tail stock fit the bed of your lathe.

Roger

Jon,
Thanks for stopping over tonight to get the handle and fore grip drilled.

The lathe and the right size bit, made the job pretty straight forward.

Good luck on the rest of your rod build.

Roger

Thanks Roger!

I appreciate the help and it was nice to meet you! I'll be sure to send you some pictures when the job is complete! I'm sure I'll have some more questions for you in the future!

Nice Roger
really Cool

Bill - willierods.com