I’d like to try turning a floor lamp out of walnut, but boring the electrical channel is the challenge.
Has anyone made a long horizontal bore (20″+) in a spindle on the lathe? I’ve seen lamp boring augers (5/16 x 28″) for sale but cannot seem to find the required hollow tailstock adaptors nor a hollow tool rest jig which would accommodate a lamp auger.
I have a Jet 1442.
PS: I don’t want to glue a bunch of short spindles together to make a long one.
MikeC
Replies
Ive done it by useing a tablesaw or band saw. First cutting the wood in half,then running a dado down one or both sides. and then glue the two halfs back together.
after the glue sets, you can turn the wood, whin the part is finished you cant tell it isnt one peice of wood.
"O" you must plug the two ends or stop the dado short of the ends then drill out the ends after you turn the lamp.
good luck. sincererly. C.A.G.
Mike , I've never bored a lamp but have done some long boring. You might be able to use a lathe if the turning fits in a chuck. Bore from each end and meet in the middle. Use a 5/8 spade bit if you have the heavy duty extension. The extension is 9/16" in diameter. If you use the smaller type you can bore with a 3/8" bit.Also you can bore with a bit the same diameter as a lamp auger, remove from lathe and finish with lamp augur. Boring from both ends is the secret, even if you go off a little the augur will jump into the previous hole.
mike
My small Jet lathe has a live center with a circular tip and a point in the middle of the circle. The point can be knocked out of the live center and a lamp auger can be used to drill the center of the spindle. I hold the lamp auger in a pair of visegrips. If you have the same live center with your Jet, try knocking the center point out.
Mike -
I think the live center on the tailstock of your lathe will let a 5/16" rod or bit pass through.
Cut the walnut blank about 2" longer than needed and about 1" greater diameter than needed. If you can get or construct a long bit (got a friend with a mig welder??) then hold the end of the bit by hand and slowly take it through the blank to within about 1" of the other end. Frequent trips in and out will be necessary. Don't rush it. May have to epoxy a wooden block on the end of the rod for more leverage.
When done boring then remove the blank and cut off the end exposing the hole. Remount the blank using the thru hole as the center and re- turn the block around the drilled hole, then true up the ends.
In other words - turn around the hole!
PlaneWood by Mike_in_Katy (maker of fine sawdust!)
PlaneWood
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