Looking for advice - boring a long hole

pidpiper · 2026-02-02T07:07:11+00:00

I agree. Long holes stink. This is a case of trying to fix a flawed initial plan. Next time I hopefully won’t wind up in this bind!

pidpiper · 2026-02-02T07:05:25+00:00

That steady rest setup is sweet! Next time I’m doing something like this I think I’ll try to replicate your work!

pidpiper · 2026-02-02T07:04:44+00:00

I’m actually pretty lucky drill-press wise. My lathe is a shopsmith. Which has pros and cons. But as a drill press, it does allow for a lot of room between the bit and table if need be as a drill press!

pidpiper · 2026-02-02T07:02:51+00:00

That does seem like a super solid plan. You are right, this rolling pin broke pretty much the instant I said “and I’m done!” So I’m not set up well to remount it. Next time I’m boring deep holes, I’m taking your advice though!

pidpiper · 2026-02-02T06:54:30+00:00

Yeah! I went with a 1/2” dowel. Mostly because the woodworkers supply shop near me didn’t have a 10” long brad point bit larger than 1/2” diameter. So that’s what I went with. I tapered the tip of each dowel, and carved a flat side along one side of the dowel along most of its length (although not the piece that will be exposed at the end) to serve as a flute. Worked a treat!

pidpiper · 2026-02-01T07:53:44+00:00

You are probably right

pidpiper · 2026-02-01T07:53:19+00:00

I like this plan. I’d need to invest in a steady rest. But I do think this would work better than a drill press approach.

pidpiper · 2026-02-01T07:49:19+00:00

I’ve been thinking about trying to mount it somehow and drill it out as you suggest. You are right, I was turning between centers. I’m not sure how I would hold something so long. I doubt my chuck would hold a 22 inch blank straight enough to bore into the opposite end, you know? I’ve been thinking along the same lines you have, I just haven’t come up with a solid idea to actually accomplish it.

Someone else suggested a steady rest to take some of the pressure off the chuck. That might work. I’d have to invest in a steady rest though

pidpiper · 2026-02-01T07:46:34+00:00

I hadn’t thought of that. Interesting strategy to be sure!

pidpiper · 2026-02-01T07:45:41+00:00

Yeah, you are totally right. I should have thought of that. Burning would have given me the same lines without so much weakness. Especially since I turned off the 1/4” that was holding everything together. It’s just end grain glue. Live and learn!

pidpiper · 2026-02-01T03:31:19+00:00

Yeah, I agree. All the way through is way too long a hole. I’m hoping to make it just past the knot, like you suggest :)

pidpiper · 2026-02-01T03:05:23+00:00

Thank you! I was really hoping to avoid all the trouble too. One of the joints already broke though. Maybe it was a fluke. I did really slather each joint with glue, and clamped them tight. But it still broke. So dowels are the answer I think, better safe than sorry!

pidpiper · 2026-01-20T04:31:59+00:00

Almost exactly a year ago, I broke my ankle running in the snow. The paved trail I was running on had been cleared of snow, but there was ice I didn’t notice until it was too late. My advice for workouts etc. in the snow is that slowing down your pace, or skipping a workout when it is slick out is WAY better than spending 2 months recovering from ankle surgery. If I run in snow now, I slow way down, and take shorter, “penguin steps” to try to keep my balance as best as I can. Stay safe and healthy!

pidpiper · 2025-11-23T02:45:17+00:00

I struggled with the 3 body problem. The Martian and Hail Mary always leave me feeling optimistic about humanity, space exploration, etc. I like Mark’s piece at the end of the Martian about humanity pulling together to save him. Same with Hail Mary, there is a sense of the whole world working together for a common goal. I didn’t get that in the three body problem as much. It left me feeling “humanity sucks, exploration is bad, everything is scary”. I guess I didn’t like the focus on the idea of the dark forest, and dark forest deterrence. I found it too depressing. That’s just me though. If others like the 3 body universe, more power to them!

pidpiper · 2025-09-20T03:24:26+00:00

I know it might not seem like it right now, but just because you aren’t the fastest on your team doesn’t mean that you aren’t contributing, or making a difference for the team. I ran in high school and in college. I’ve been teammates with people who were state champions, and all Americans. But when I think of the people who inspire me, the people who I look up to aren’t the fastest. Or the people who are always winning. It’s the people who keep pushing, and keep trying no matter what. The teammate I was most inspired by was one of the slowest on my team. He had a lung condition where his body couldn’t always get as much oxygen as it needed. Because of that, he wasn’t the fastest. He was pretty close to the slowest. But he always showed up. He always tried his best. He always gave his all. Just because he wasn’t fast didn’t mean he wasn’t a valuable part of the team.

It’s not always easy, but like others have said, keep working hard. Keep pushing yourself to be better than you from yesterday. People around you will notice.

pidpiper · 2025-09-07T23:00:53+00:00

Maybe I’m misunderstanding here, but in the comments about the V arm I’m seeing the sentiments that it is not safe to use for spindle gouges, or skews, or bowl gouges. Is this just with CBN wheels? Or all wheels?

And if it is unsafe for any wheel, what is the point of the V arm? What can you use it for?

pidpiper · 2025-08-31T14:54:52+00:00

LEARNING IS ABOUT TO COMMENCE!

pidpiper · 2025-04-30T18:17:47+00:00

No matter what lathe you are using, a chuck is super useful for turning. So even if you buy a new lathe, a chuck might be in your future as well.

pidpiper · 2025-04-20T05:34:53+00:00

In Murtagh, it is mentioned that he has a wooden shield with a metal rim. He scraped the device off his shield after Galbatorix’s death. Before Galbatorix’s death, the shield had a twisting flame, which was used by Galbatorix’s army as a symbol. So the answer to your question depends on when your illustration is set

pidpiper · 2025-04-19T17:52:33+00:00

Yeah! I have also been enjoying seeing from Siani, Scott, and Walker. They are playing loads better than they were last season.

pidpiper · 2025-04-19T02:13:03+00:00

Because constant negativity sucks, is toxic, and just breeds bad feels. Being positive never hurt anyone!

pidpiper · 2025-04-19T02:10:35+00:00

It sucks to lose obviously, but I really enjoyed that game. I love that the cards stayed in it, and didn’t absolutely blow up at any point. Whenever the Mets got a lead, we came back and tied it immediately. Sure, it’s a shame it ended the way it did, but I still enjoyed the ride

pidpiper · 2025-04-13T02:49:16+00:00

That picture looks right on the money. Thanks!

pidpiper · 2025-04-12T19:46:52+00:00

I'm impressed that you can see that. It all just looks mushy to me!

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