Center drilling hole in dowel?

[Rvjimd]

I have started searching the web and thoughts would check with you guys as well.

I working on my first conveyer and want to drill a hole thru the center of a dowel. The dowel will be the roller at each end of the conveyer and I may also use them along the conveyer as belt supports.

I don't have a lathe yet, sounds like that is the best way to do this.

My drill press chuck does not open quite wide enough to get the dowel in it. I was going to try that.:o

The dowel is about 1" long and 5/8" diameter.

http://i1291.photobucket.com/albums/b554/Slotcarjim/3e352d0cd1b7fa94bb47269ad38723aa_zps36b94517.jpg

Maybe instead of searching for how to do this I will search for a descent table top lathe. Any tips on that sort of lathe is also welcome.


Thanks for any tips!

Jim

[louie r/c nut]

Hey Jim you might want to set up a jig and use your drill press .

Take a scrap piece of ply wood cut a 5/8 hole stick the rowel in the hole then line it up to the drill press clamp the ply down so it does not move then drill .

Drill very slow so you don't crack the rowel should have no problem .

I have done this for parts on my boats and it has worked well .

[Rvjimd]

Louie,

I have a clamping fixture for the press, but I am having trouble getting the hole started in the center.

Any advice on simply marking the center? And then, is there a special bit I should be using to drill the hole so it won't wander?

Thanks

Jim

[louie r/c nut]

5/8" is pretty wide what size whole are you looking to make in the rowel .

If it is walking on you you can use a body remer or an ice pick to get it started .

Also it a good idea to use a good wood bit make sure it is sharp this way you can drill slow .

Finding the center is a little tricky I do it mostly by eye you will have to dill a few as test pieces as long as you get it close and make them all the same you should be fine .

[Rvjimd]

I m trying to put 1/8 hole to start out. That may be the final size, or I may enlarge it for a bearing or bushing or drive gear. At this point 1/8" is what I'm trying.

[9W Monighan]

If you don't have a center head for your combination square ;A quick search on internet I found this picture.
http://atelierdubricoleur.files.wordpress.com/2012/11/4-find-the-center-of-a-circle.jpg?w=450&h=337

Try some brad point drill bits so you keep the drill centered. The wood grain will pull a regular twist drill off center.

[Rvjimd]

Ah, that helps, I have all that stuff here, let me try that to at least find the center.

Thanks

[Dieselchopper]

To give your drill bit a spot to start on a light tap with a centre punch to make a divot just like you would in metal. I mark thing out on round stock in steel all of the time just as in picture above. It does work well. You cannot beat the accuracy gained with a centre punch to start the hole unless you are on a lathe or mill.

[Rvjimd]

I think I found a way to get a good center hole.

I found it on a google search. You mount the bit just snug, upside down in the drill press. Then lower it down to the fixture on the base and get the base lined up and clamp the bit into the base fixture. This supposedly get the chuck in the center. On my setup it was not quite centered, probably my base is not perfectly true to the chuck and spindle.

Then, raise up the chuck leaving the bit in the bottom fixture. Mount the dowel in the chuck and drill.

Works pretty good. I wish I had a 5/8 chuck, cause I cant fit my 5/8 dowel that I wanted to use, but I think 1/2 is going to work.

http://i1291.photobucket.com/albums/b554/Slotcarjim/30024bb532e949c231bbd255abe46808_zpse169bdce.jpg

I bet this is why somebody invented the lathe!

Thanks for the tips

Jim

[Espeefan]

That's actually a very handy tip, for doing a quick and dirty center hole into something round. Thanks for sharing it!

[CrewCab59]

A Bell Punch is a nice tool to find the center on round stock .

[grumpygrady]

Louie,

I have a clamping fixture for the press, but I am having trouble getting the hole started in the center.

Any advice on simply marking the center? And then, is there a special bit I should be using to drill the hole so it won't wander?

Thanks

Jim

sure take a funnel and find a str8 punch that is tight in the opening of the funnel put funnel over dowel and mark with punch

[grumpygrady]

sure take a funnel and find a str8 punch that is tight in the opening of the funnel put funnel over dowel and mark with punch

lol or use a bell punch lol

[Radio Control Trucker]

If using a funnel to line it up - then why not a Dremel rotary tool to drill the hole :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :thinking:

- RCT

[kaptain Jack]

Two things, first: Lee Valey tools sells center finders for different sizes of dowels,secondary: you have to use brad point drill bit (designed specifically for wood) to drill your dowel. Its long pointy tip helps to stay centered and borrow into the wood.
http://i1059.photobucket.com/albums/t436/2750709/endgrain.jpg (http://s1059.photobucket.com/user/2750709/media/endgrain.jpg.html)