Ok so i have not jumped head first yet, but have done some research leading up and wanted to get some opinions or guidance from those with actual experience. I am planning to do some smaller grips for casting and spinning rods with cork and eva. What i was planning to use is something basic, with a corded drill as the power source (one have should be sufficient with 2500rpm). I have looked at some on YouTube but wanted to see anyone knew of a good plan to follow for building a basic set up to turn grips. Really just wanted some pointers on where to look and what to use in the drill whether people prefer mandrel or threaded... like i said trying to keep things basic on how to start... any help is appreciated, apologize if i missed something in the library etc...

Hello Jay.

Go to the "Photos" page(at the top) then to search and type in "Drill lathe".

You will get a lot of photos.



Tight Wraps & Tighter Lines.

Bob,

New Bern, NC.

I use an old Hirsch drill lathe that was passed on to me by another local builder. I power it with a Skil corded drill. It's a pretty simple set up with a support with a dead center at one end and a support that holds the drill with a pipe clamp at the other and a steady rest that will slide along the pipes holding it all together. A drop of oil on the dead center and only being clamped down under hand tension keeps the center and mandrel from overheating. I've been using it for a number of years, and don't really see a need for anything more for my needs.

I know you would be hard pressed to find the old Hirsch model for sale now, but Grizzly makes one that similar:

[www.grizzly.com]

I don't use anything too special tool-wise for the lathe. For turning EVA, I have a set of cheap wood chisels that I'll use to bring blocks to round and down to about 1/4" from the largest OD that I need. From there the process is the same for me whether using cork rings or EVA. A sanding block to come close to final diameters and then strips of sand paper for final shaping. Pieces of fabric-backed sanding belt work great, but ordinary paper will do, but has a tendency to tear as it heats up. For more aggressive initial shaping and to clean up glue, a Stanley Sureform rasp is handy.

Jay,
I found this picture on the "net" some years ago.

[www.rodbuilding.org]

If you have a corded variable speed, forward and reverse direction - you would build this for less than $5.

Best wishes.

Jay,
You didn’t mention a price point you’re interested in when you used the term basic. For under $100 the Grizzly is a great setup for turning grips. Best to try to learn whether the chuck on your particular drill will pass through the headstock. Though I moved on to turning wood rod parts on a 20” table lathe, and now turn grips on that, I still use the Grizzly setup if I need to reduce the diameter of an installed grip.

Jeff

"The greatest barrier to discovery is not ignorance, it's the illusion of knowledge" - Daniel J. Boorstin

Jay, if you have a drill press you can easily cobble up a stable, safe, setup for turning cork and softer materials. If you want details email me.

Hows the grizzly? Is it a good option, didnt realize they had an option for a drill mounted option.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/02/2021 07:37PM by Jay Burns.

As pictured in the Grizzly link above.

"The greatest barrier to discovery is not ignorance, it's the illusion of knowledge" - Daniel J. Boorstin

I recently got a Hirsh rig on an @#$%& forum for just this purpose but haven’t used it yet. I wish I’d known of the Grizzly option, it looks better.

Guy Taylor



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/02/2021 09:34PM by Guy Taylor.

Jay, early on when I decided to make my own grips, the Grizzly lathe with a quarter inch mandrel was the best option. It performed well, and safely for me. However, with any mechanical tool the user must use extreme caution while operating the tool. Injury can happen. So do some research about the Grizzly hobby lathe and if you go that route, proceed with caution.

"The greatest barrier to discovery is not ignorance, it's the illusion of knowledge" - Daniel J. Boorstin

Seeing as how I am a newbie to turning, besides sandpaper is there any particular tool recommendation for shaping cork and foam grips?

Hey guys,

One tool I’d recommend is a Stanley Surform. Under $10. Use it to take grips down close to size then finish with 60-120-220-400 sand paper.

Chuck

><))))">….><))))">….><))))">….Just Fish

Prior Lake Rod Building Guild
Instagram @pl_rod_building_guild

Ditto the Stanley Surform !

Rog

Thank you!

Jay, check out our video on our cork lathe set-up. Over 1 million views.

[www.youtube.com]

Its a great place to start and stay a while. It is mobile and breaks down to store away.

[flexcoat.com]

Flex Coat Company
Professional Rod Building Supplies
www.flexcoat.com

I know you’re just getting started, but when you consider the price of the drill and grizzly lathe, you’ll be about half way to the price of a Jet mini or midi lathe when one of the big woodworking suppliers has a sale. I bet that when you get better and want to start using alternative materials like wood, birch bark, and acrylic, you’ll realize the limitations of these ultra basic drill-based lathe setups, and you’ll have wished you’ll wish you had made the initial investment in the first place. I know I sure did.