If a lathe is not an option now, is it possible to use a drill press to shape Eva grips?

Yes, in fact, a previous article in RodMaker showed how to adapt it to make a vertical lathe. I have also seen some folks lie the drill press on its side in this configuration.

A 2x4 block of wood, bored to accept a live center fairly well turns the press into a crude but functional lathe. One of the woodworking companies, Penn State I think, even offers a vertical tool rest to use on a drill press.

And there is always the Grizzly hobby lathe option, which is powered by an electric hand drill. It's not very much money but is entirely suitable for turning most grips.

..............

Penn State had a kit for about $20 that has a live center and tool rest that will bolt to the drill press to convert it to a vertical lathe. I used one for years before I got a real lathe.

Not sure how well they work for eva but there are some photos of "drill lathes" in the photo section. To Tom's point they are pretty crude but effective with cork in my experience.

I am still using Scott's PSI drill press attachment to this day as a matter of fact. It works great for the 10 or so handles a year I turn on it. I just lay my small drill press on its side and its almost like a real lathe. I can do cork and eva just fine. Swampland has mandrels in different diameters that accept the live center. It's a great starter without the huge price of a lathe, especially if you already have a drill press. Thanks again Scott!

This is what I have, Works Very well with TK Mandrels

[www.rodbuilding.org]

[www.amazon.com]



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 06/19/2013 06:33PM by Barry Thomas Sr.

I had been in the market for a while wanting to get a lathe for grip turning. Was ready to pull the trigger when I saw an article about using a drill press for turning grips. Got a set of mandrels
and made a base jig and gave it a shot since I had a drill press in my shop. So far it works great! Not in the market for a lathe any more.

Jeremy Johnson Wrote:
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> I am still using Scott's PSI drill press
> attachment to this day as a matter of fact.



Glad it's still working out for you Jeremy. I knew it went to someone on here, but I couldn't remember who.

I use my drill press to turn cork and poly/foam reel seat shims into seats and ramps, and it works well, although I expect not as well as a real lathe. One thing I've done is to sink a 5/16" bore ball bearing into a piece of wood which is then clamped to the "bed" of the drill press. This stabilizes the lower end of a turning mandril made from threaded rod on which the cork or shim is mounted. It is also possible to turn the shims into ramps by just cutting the shim to the length you want, then hand turning a 9/32 drill into the bore of shim, mounting the drill into the drill press, and turning them with sandpaper.

I have used the Penn State device with good success. Nothing more substantial than cork.

You can use anything that turns the handle material at the speed you want, it doesn't make any difference whether it is vertical or horizontal. You just need to be able to do your shaping the way you want it to end up.