Drill Tobacco Chamber Charring & Smoking. Help...

[mrsmitty]

I'm drill my first pipe bowl on my SB lathe and I have it on the highest speed without changing gears. While drilling the tobacco chamber it fills the entire workshop with smoke. I pre-drilled the tobacco chamber with a 1/2" bit. Furthermore, I'm using a rounded end 7/8" router bit on a 1/4" bit extension. Could it be the bit, the speed? And help would be greatly appreciated.

A video of me drilling the bowl http://youtu.be/WjMONAQRauU[/youtube]
http://youtu.be/WjMONAQRauU

Pictures of the bit I'm using and bowl...

[andrew]

Your bit is dull. Sharpen it properly and your smoke problem will go away.

andrew

[andrew]

Unless the router bit is made for plunge cuts, it is the wrong tool for the job.

andrew

[mrsmitty]

This is the exact bit I used if that helps any http://www.ebay.com/itm/7-8-Cutting-Dep ... 35cdfdefa3

Also, this was the first time I used the bit. I went a little slower plunging the bit and the briar didn't smoke nearly as much. Maybe it was a bit of going to fast with a dull bit. I just placed an order for some ebauchon briar 2nd's to practice on so once those come in I'll try again with the bit sharpened.

Thanks for replying Andrew.

-Josh

[Alden]

Holy shit dude. That ain't right. No Sir, not at all.
Whats wrong about it, I can't say. A combination of all of the above most likely.
Wrong speed, wrong bit etc.
You have a bench grinder ? Get you a 3/4" Spade Bit. Carefully grind the point off the bit and reshape the head of it into the shape you want the bottom of the bowl to be. Be careful to keep both sides of the bit as closely matched as possible.
Set your lathe as slow as possible, around 400 RPM if you can.
Don't drill a pilot hole before drilling with the spade bit. Just drill slowly.
There shouldn't be smoke, and your chamber should definitely not be charred.
Good luck !

[andrew]

I would look at shaping your own spade bits. Cheaper and will work better than the router bit.
If that was the bit's maiden voyage, something is definitely not right with the cutting geometry (at least the way you are using it).

andrew

[caskwith]

Slow slow slow. I drill chambers at around 100rpm.

[WCannoy]

Also, your lathe appears to be turning in reverse.

[caskwith]

Yep I think walt has it right, I just looked at the vid and you seem to be running in reverse.

[mrsmitty]

Ha. I guess that could cause problems as well. Feel like such a dummy here, but I guess that's why you ask for help.

[WCannoy]

Running forward will help a lot!

At this point, you will still need to sharpen that bit as it might have lost its edge. All of the other suggestions are still valid... I use a ground spade bit, FWIW.

[wdteipen]

I laughed through that whole video. That was awesome!

As has been mentioned, slowing way down and going forward should do the trick. Another thing to consider is shortening the shaft on your bit. It's not what's causing your problem but it will reduce flexing which will reduce chatter marks in your chamber.

[Ocelot55]

I just think its a creative way of precarbonizing the bowl.

[mrsmitty]

Wayne, I'm glad I could be of some entertainment to you lol. Thanks everyone for your tips. I will post back with hopefully some better results.

[Red]

I trust you know there's a backgear on the lathe? Slows it down a lot. Just be sure to stop the spindle completely, engage the backgear and make sure it's fully engaged to keep from breaking gear teeth.

[mrsmitty]

I don't have the backgear installed yet. I just got done restoring this lathe from a complete tear down. I needed an eccentric lever which just came in the mail so I will be installing that shortly.

[PremalChheda]

As long as your high speed is below 1800 you can still drill. 1000 is the speed for me. It has got to be the bit you are using. Spade bit modified or silver deming modified are both very good for drilling the tobacco chamber.

[baweaverpipes]

I drill at 560.

[Nate]

I drill at 560.

I drill at 561

[andrew]

I don't know what I drill at

andrew