Here's a quick video about making small diameter (1/16" and less) by using a jeweler's draw plate. It's fast, easy and cheap. What could be better? Enjoy. TJL
Tom, thanks for the demo. I never thought of putting the draw plate in a vice. That stability reduces the number I broke off hand holding it. Dah!. Until I tried it I never realized how much force was needed to draw the wood through it and thought I was doing it incorrectly. I think it was me who prompted this video. I pretty much actually did what you presented. I started with some bamboo tree nails, about toothpick size, but found that the parallel grain at .036 left annoying grooves. I have cotton swabs on 6 inch dowels that I salvage and save by cutting off the soiled cotton buds. I reduced these with sandpaper on a Proxxon lathe enough to then pull through a draw plate. That works very well, better finished surfaces. The next challenge was center drilling to attach the .016 rod for the harpoons, lances, cutters and boat poles. A #80 finger drill worked pretty well. I’m going to take some photos of the finished pieces for you. Thank you for confirming my approach, using the draw plate. When I bought it, I knew that one day I would use it and boy did I ever. I now have harpoons, lances, cutters, boat hooks, and waif poles for the 5 upright boats plus some extras for the roof racks. I also finished all the oars and paddles. Many, many fun hours. I love this stuff. Very gratifying always learning with trial and error. Bob Meli
Yes, you did prompt this video. I even mention your username at the end. Seem like you and I are pretty much on the same page, here. Till next time, stay well.
Thanks for another informative video. Ive recently been making Treenails for 1/64 scale deck and have had good success with a Brynes Drawplate. I was able to hold the drawplate by hand only, and draw shaved down bamboo skewers (obtained from grocery stores for making sushi rolls). As recommended elsewhere I drew the bamboo to size 31 appropriate for a size #68 drill bit.
Thank you! I was using a dowel plate that went down to 1/8” by 1/32” increments but found it too much of a jump between the smaller sizes. I need to go down to 7/64” and this is perfect.
Thanks, but I can't claim credit for it. It was in "Ship Modeler's Shop" Notes, Vol. 1, published by the Nautical Research Guild. Hope you stay tuned to this channel. More stuff is on the way.
Well done Tom! I don't remember where I got my draw plate or I would post the link. For a bamboo source I use skewers. The first thing I do is pound it with a deadblow hammer to break down the structure along the grain and pick out the straight pieces to run through the plate. Been able to easily make 0.020" dowels, which is 1" at 1:48. Unfortunately, there is a lot of waste as I am sure you have experienced.
There is a lot of waste. I think there might be less if you split the stuff with a chisel. At least you know the split is running right along the grain. I take it down to about .063", then start running it through the plate. I also have a draw plate for shapes and, although I haven't needed to make any tri-angle or half-round stock lately, it could be fun to do it just for the hell of it.
Here is a link to one place you can get them, but if you Google "draw plates", you will find a dozen places to buy them, at least. You will get better results if you buy one made from steel, as opposed to aluminum. And, Greetings from beautiful Cape Cod. www.wish.com/product/5d63936870e793330cea56ba?hide_login_modal=true&from_ad=goog_shopping&_display_country_code=US&_force_currency_code=USD&pid=googleadwords_int&c=%7BcampaignId%7D&ad_cid=5d63936870e793330cea56ba&ad_cc=US&ad_lang=EN&ad_curr=USD&ad_price=20.75&campaign_id=7203534630&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIrObY2rPZ6gIVhbLICh3YAAVTEAQYBCABEgKXCfD_BwE&share=web
If you can't find it, I certainly won't be any help. Are you looking on the web to buy one? If so, here is a link to the page I included in the video: www.wish.com/product/5d63936870e793330cea56ba?hide_login_modal=true&from_ad=goog_shopping&_display_country_code=US&_force_currency_code=USD&pid=googleadwords_int&c=%7BcampaignId%7D&ad_cid=5d63936870e793330cea56ba&ad_cc=US&ad_lang=EN&ad_curr=USD&ad_price=20.75&campaign_id=7203534630&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIrObY2rPZ6gIVhbLICh3YAAVTEAQYBCABEgKXCfD_BwE&share=web
Forgot to mention: buying a steel plate as opposed to one made on aluminum will give you better results and takes a little less effort to use. Cheers, Matthijs. Tom
I wanted to make round dowels .093" to plug guitar tuning key mounting screw holes . I don't understand if there are in MM of thousands of an inch. Is there on that wikk go that diameter? William
Hi William, I'm not sure I understand your question, but I take a shot at what I think you're asking. In this video, the drawplate I'm using is in thousandths of an inch. Hence, something like .062" would translate very closely to 1/16". If you're looking for .093" dowels, I find that single ended cotton swabs have what looks like a basswood stick that is just about .093"-give or take a few thousandths. Hope this helps.
