Lathe Boring/Drilling Speed?

Frank · Post by **Frank** » Thu Nov 10, 2005 4:40 pm

As yet I have not turned or drilled/bored any stummels, but in preparation I want to practice on some scrap wood that I have, like black walnut, so as to get the "feel" of it.

My metal cutting lathe (12" swing over bed, 7" over table, 20" between centres) runs at the following speeds: 160, 250, 400, 630, 1000, 1600 rpm.

Based on your experience I would like to ask the following questions.

What is the optimal speed for drilling/boring the: (a) Tobacco chamber; (b) Mortise; (c) Shank draft hole; (d) Stem draft hole;

Also, what is the optimal speed for turning the: (1) Bowl; (2) Shank; (3) Tenon?

I included the stem questions since it's easier just to lump all the drilling/turning questions together.

Thanks,
Frank.

LexKY_Pipe · Post by **LexKY_Pipe** » Fri Nov 11, 2005 3:09 pm

I drill somewhere between 1,000 and 1,200 rpms.

I turn bowls and shanks at a much higher speed, in the 3,000 rpm range.

Post by **Tyler** » Fri Nov 11, 2005 3:35 pm

My general rule of thumb:

Drill as slowly as you can, and

Turn as fast as you can.

Tyler

LexKY_Pipe · Post by **LexKY_Pipe** » Fri Nov 11, 2005 4:58 pm

Yeah . . . that's what I meant.

Thanks Tyler. Glad to see you on the boards.

Frank · Post by **Frank** » Fri Nov 11, 2005 7:38 pm

I guess 1600 rpm is as fast as I will be able to turn.

Is 160 rpm a bit too slow for drilling/boring?

Frank.

P.S. Tyler, hope you don't mind that I downloaded your pipe making videos from your site. If it's OK, I'd like to burn them to disc for quick reference when needed. Yep, I'm still a

at this.

P.P.S. Nice shots of the back of your head whilst peering into the tobacco chamber. (chuckle)

Post by **Tyler** » Fri Nov 11, 2005 10:31 pm

Downloading the videos is fine with me. I just want people to be able to use them.

As for drilling at 160 rpm, I don't know if that is too slow. My lathe won't go that slow. I doubt it is. That's where I'd start if I was you, and if you find it isn't working well, step it up.

Tyler

geigerpipes · Post by **geigerpipes** » Sat Nov 12, 2005 6:27 am

Hey Frank

I drill at 160..works fine for me thats also the speed i turn tennons at

Love
www.geigerpipes.com

StephenDownie · Post by **StephenDownie** » Sat Nov 12, 2005 7:10 pm

I'm with the others go as slowly as possible when drilling. If you go too fast when drilling stems you'll melt the material and the interior of the stem have a rough texture.

Post by **KurtHuhn** » Sun Nov 13, 2005 11:40 am

160 RPM is probably about perfect for drilling. The slowest I can get is 350 RPM, and even that is too fast for my comfort. However, it will have to do until I can scrape up the scratch for a size extra large metal lathe.

For turning, I use whatever the harmonics of the lathe/table/block tell me to use. Some blocks will set the lathe vibrating like there's no tomorrow at 1800 RPM, but will be steady as a rock at 1200. Others are the exact opposite. However, I've found that I dislike turning above 1800 unless absolutely necessary - like if 1200 and 1800 vibrate too badly.

Good to see you coming around Tyler!