Coring on an Engine Lathe

[KentCNC]

I plan to use an engine lathe to core dowels. I have an outboard chuck, but some of the dowels will not reach all the way through the lathe spindle to that chuck. Do I need to support the loose end of the dowel inside the spindle or will the front chuck alone be sufficient?

Also, do you have suggestions on RPM and feed rate?

 

[Kim Bye]

You use the steady rest.

 

[BarenbruggeCues]

In 30 plus years I've never built a cue or cored a piece of wood with a lathe that had an outboard chuck on it.
Cut all of the dowels to the same diameter and slip a delrin cap over the back side of the long pieces of wood that will slide in not to loose, not to tight and core away. Short pieces no worries if you have a good chuck. Mine are all cored and bored at 1.375 diameter.

Most important is the core drill setup, RPM, feed speed and air pressure to evac chips. Then there's the whole other set up for catching all those chips so you don't spend half a day cleaning those chips up.

 

[Coos Cues]

I dont' support the rear of the wood. My chuck has about 2 inches of contact with the wood and I leave about 3 inches sticking out the front for my dust collection setup. The rest of the wood is running free behind the chuck inside the spindle hole. I pre bore the trailing end about an inch deep so the gun drill doesn't bust out of the end grain. Or if you have extra length you can stop a half inch short of the end and then saw it off without pre drilling.

IMO the most important thing you can to is to take a clean up pass on the wood just prior to coring so it's 100% straight. I don't recall ever losing a piece of wood due to mishap. I did break a gun drill on a knot in a piece of cocobolo once but I was probably feeding it too fast. Go slower than you think you should even if it's coring like butter cuz there could be stuff lurking deep in the blank.

 

[KentCNC]

Here is what I have done for dust collection. Mounts like an easy rest but with a simple knob to tighten it. Does a very good job of dust collection. I guess I am hooked on dust collection. I have sold dust shoes for CNC machines since 2009 (kentcnc.net).

 

[Sheldon]

If they're too short to reach the back chuck you're probably fine to just leave a bit sticking out and let 'er rip.

 

[Coos Cues]

Here is what I have done for dust collection. Mounts like an easy rest but with a simple knob to tighten it. Does a very good job of dust collection. I guess I am hooked on dust collection. I have sold dust shoes for CNC machines since 2009 (kentcnc.net).

That setup looks to me like it's going to shoot chips down the v groove of the gun drill out toward the tailstock in unacceptable quantities. I don't allow anything to escape. Nothing!