How to Turn Pulls Without a Lathe

Learn how to create custom door and drawer pulls using your drill press.

[@picvan]

Thank you for making a video even tho you have a lathe now. I really appreciate someone taking the time to show a way to do something they don't do anymore so others that aren't so fortunate can still learn.

[@benjam062472]

I just used your technique, it works great! Two drawer-pulls done, two more to go. Instead of using a band-saw to trim, I used my table saw sled. Worked like a charm.

[@deniseclementinoguedes-rt3xl]

I also do like this

[@lauraferriss1600]

This is just pure brilliance I am so grateful I found your video

[@attilakovacs5803]

I tried the method with some guitar end pins and it worked out marvellously. It's actually much simpler to turn small pulls and end pins with a drill press than with a lathe. I even managed to turn a 5-inch-long peg winder for my lute, too. The longer workpiece wobbled a lot first, but things got better, and I ended up with a lovely shape for the tool. The end pins and the peg winder were made from hard maple, so they were pretty difficult to turn after the first experiments with spruce. I used some leftover pieces of spruce and a maple garden tool handle as round stock for the project. Spruce got its shape very fast, but the tenon part got damaged (squeezed) in the chuck. Still, it held out until the end of the operation without major problems. In case of the maple the tenon didn't get damaged by the chuck and held perfectly. To me, cutting the tenon was the biggest challenge, because I had some very rudimentary, cheap tenon cutters. They caused a lot of friction and overheating. If I go on making end pins like this, I must get some decent tenon cutters. It's also possible to drill a hole in the workpiece, glue a piece of round stock in it and hold the piece in the chuck by that tenon. Thank you for the idea, it has encouraged me tremendously to go on with the project. The funny thing is that I originally bought my drill press a few years ago for exactly this purpose. Unfortunately it turned out to be a supermarket quality scrap. Back then, I tried to turn a few very small pieces out of ebony and eventually decided to abandon the project because of the imprecision of the machine. These end pins, however, seem to be just the right-sized items to turn with this drill press. I've done some modifications to the drill press, too. The moving column that holds the chuck was very wobbly, so I installed two bolts to limit its play. Now it's OK with only a minimal play. Still, a better quality drill press would certainly be better for the purpose. I hope my experience can be of help to someone with a similar project in mind.

[@vidskitkid]

A very clear easy to understand, helpful and well executed "How To" video, thank you!

[@richardrearick1975]

Don’t own a lathe so I’m going to give this go! Thanks for sharing your process

[@CentralNintendo1]

There are many things I like about woodworking, this is one of them, you don't always need the right tools to get a desired result. If you are passionate enough, you'll find a way with what you've got.

[@Cricce80]

If you get good results these tools are also the "right tools" ;). But yeah, I get your point, there is many ways to go about making certain things :)

[@martinhazelwood2928]

Great idea and Great job. I enjoyed watching video. Thank you

[@karlalton3170]

Just what i needed to know my friend as i need to make some knobs for the tubular back rest on some stools 😁😁👍👍

[@augustbiechy6459]

Thanks for sharing this with us all. Very clever and creative way of doing this.. I'm going to use some practice here on projects I'm working on.

[@mikekernan5388]

Thank you for your efforts! Great idea on how to make something with your available tools. Mike

[@kennyc388]

Excellent, skilled performance with a beautiful custom finished product. 5 stars.

[@IamtheActionman]

Brilliant! A true craftsman and a pleasure to watch and learn. Thanks for sharing

[@marioexpropiacionpetronilo2753]

Great clip!!! Smart and highly skilled!!!

[@rollingthunder277]

I have used a hand drill to thin dowels for various calibers of firearms in order to clear a chamber or barrel. Quick and accurate to get the proper diameter.

[@WoodenCreationz]

Very Nice! Heading to the shop to try it now!

[@jeffhall5888]

Great tip! Just discovered the channel!

[@joergwiesmann4261]

...genial !!!! soooo a good idea !!! Big compliment and kinde regards from Switzerland !!!

[@maxc1520]

Thanks for the very good video. I have a bench drill, and in my garage not enough space for a lathe. Will try your method soon

[@priayief]

Brilliant! Got some wonderful ideas for my drill press! Thanks.

[@michaeldillon4070]

What a good demo and I intend to try that on my drill press. Thanks for showing us. regards Mike

[@davidhennessy4452]

Thank you so much for this. I have been looking for a means to produce some makruk chess pieces without a lathe. Your careful presentation & method is a perfect application for me.

[@davidhennessy4452]

And my compliments!

[@cospittner3526]

Great idea - thank you for the content.

[@jeanboloblanchard3610]

Thank you very much that's a brilliant idea

[@ishortland]

Great video. I've wondered about doing this but never tried it. Now I think I will after seeing your video...

[@patfinnerty1115]

That looks so good I an going to give it a go

[@Thom4123]

Awesome idea and technic thank you for the information

[@dfu1685]

Fantastic. Thank you for sharing! I’m gonna try making a honey dipper to gift my big Brother! Big thanks 2U!

[@howiepchowepc4933]

Wow! Thanks so much for posting. I can't afford a lathe, I do have a drill press. I will try for sure.

[@soundedit]

Simple, Helpful, Useful!

[@willemkossen]

thats a great idea. i have a lathe, but no chuck. this helps a lot. thanks

[@robertjennings5558]

Impressive! Thanks for sharing.

[@francocasiddu1584]

compliments!!!! she is an artist!

[@RoomiesGarage]

thanks for the video, very helpful and inspiring

wow. veryi nice. thanks. bravo.. be happy.

[@jamartin1]

Very nice!🙌

[@0dan56]

It puts wear and tear on the bearings but good in a pinch.

[@Yahoomediaclub]

Awesome Craftmanship , Knowledge is power ⚙️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[@brianmarcum4829]

very nice work man.you make it look easy!

[@vivekkhavnekar]

Beautiful really!!!!!!

[@SceneOfAction]

That was awesome.

[@jasonrobinson9524]

Thank you! I need to make a strike button for a plane and I can apply these techniques. Greatly appreciated.

[@dhergott]

Nice job Christian.

[@ScoutSniper3124]

True Craftsmanship, and thank you for the technique ideas. I'm always looking at the cost of things, really don't make enough money not to. I can't help but think that if you're not using an exotic wood, or have a hard to find design in mind just buying the knobs at the big box store or on ebay would in the long run be the less expensive and far quicker route. By the time you buy the special bit, the jig hardware, and make everything, plus the electricity etc... they could get to be pretty expensive for a short run, and pretty monotonous for a long run of them. That said, I really do appreciate holding true to the ideals of making them yourself. Thank you for the great video.

[@robertlangley258]

Ryan Taylor shut the "F" up!!

[@BrassLock]

+Ryan Taylor : Dear Ryan, it's hard for some people to imagine the spread of KZbin, but it may amaze you to discover that it reaches all parts of the world; into nooks and crannies that you can't even find on a Google Map!! And in those little places you can't possibly imagine, there are clever people who use their hands and tools, (in some cases, corded drills, because they don't have cordless drills like yours) to make things that you just go out and buy, without even batting a eyelid. They even make their own cups of coffee. Yes, these industrious folk enjoy making stuff (they don't get bored, like you said), and if some kind-hearted folk shares a woodworking secret or two, then they're forever grateful for such generosity. You may not believe it, but Big Box Stores do not exist in some far flung parts of this Earth!! Amazing, isn't it? One day you may even get a chance to travel from your city to another part of the world, and Boy!!, will you be in for a BIG shock 😨. You'll find that people don't think like you do at all. No, they think like all the grateful people who've complimented this person's video, take the lessons and tips, and incorporate these ideas into their own working routine. If you try for 6 weeks to do that, you'll find it becomes automatic, and your life will be profoundly changed forever.

[@totilsom]

Amazing stuff!! Thank you

[@LostMountainRestoration]

Outstanding!

[@c.e.schlink9933]

Nice Knobs! (I am visualizing a little shop in Manhattan!)

[@MrPatrick7777]

I have drill press ...I don't even need knobs...but I am going to make some anyway. thank you for sharing.

[@rachidbensaid4665]

تحياتي لك من تطوان المغرب

[@SWTWHITEGSR]

Nice video.

[@briarfox637]

Mr. Becksvoort builds some fantastic furniture. I've copied some of his projects. They are nice builds.

[@donalfredisaac]

INice looking knob...I have to try this. Tks for posting.

[@duanemunn3346]

thats a very good idea ill use it thanks

[@GregoryFeeney]

excellent video my friend, very informative

[@gogo5542]

Awesome idea & v .good

[@blackswanprepping8827]

used this today, only I clamped a plank onto the drillpress table. that way I could use A chisel. DH

[@hamidahmed8076]

brilliant, thanks for sharing 👍

[@ferdigoldschagg5410]

Thanks. Great upload!

[@giddue]

Six people are knobs sellers.

[@giddue]

one of them has fled :)

[@mightyrite]

Thank you very nice demo

[@SamuraiWilko]

i did the same once.. but i layed the drill machine, almost get a lathe :) and its more easy to work though.

[@BigDaddy-ms7gm]

Where did you get the tenon cutter?

[@MrTrashman48]

Loved the video; regarding your jig...where did you buy the plunger device? What are they called?

[@tomx63]

i believe that bit he used is called a plug cutter or tenon cutter.

[@timbarton5524]

@@tomx63 I would of called it a plug bit. But you're correct Tom.

[@mrmobilemassage]

But I had to buy a drill press and a band saw...haha. Still a cool video with useful info! Thanks!!

[@attilakovacs5803]

You can do without the band saw. Use a fine-toothed handheld saw. VInstead of the drill press you can use a handheld electric drill in a drill stand. The quality of your work depends on the smooth moving of the chuck: if it has a play and it vibrates, the knob won't have a nice, circular diameter, it'll be oval.

[@GNU_Linux_for_good]

I like it.

[@juanaliriogomez]

thank, great job

[@cesarl75]

Really great idea. Thank you. Could you please tell me where I can find that kind of hole saw you are using here?

[@robertbrunston5406]

Very nice! Thank you.

[@rondanner2522]

great job anxious to try thnks

[@scrambledcitycustomz8134]

Awesome

[@markhays3182]

Christian, Thanks! I really enjoyed this video and have been collecting your Fine Woodworking articles over the years. Where can I buy a 1/2" tenon cutter like yours? I couldn't tell from the video. Hope your winter in the NE starts to slow down. We wouldn't mind some of your snow coming to us in Utah. Mark Hays

[@kryptik0]

Where do you get tenon cutting bit? Is that same as plug cutting bit?

[@attilakovacs5803]

Yes

[@williamensign1408]

Genius

[@markevans3779]

Good skills......thanks for sharing

[@anton0000001]

awesome! Great work

[@censusgary]

Way cool technique.

[@Frankowillo]

WARNING: Never try this with a file or rasp that doesn't have a handle fitted. Why? Just picture this: The rat-tail driven backwards through your hand!

[@danieljacobson74]

Wow, so more convenient that going to the hardware store and buying them...

[@bullfrogpondshop3179]

You clearly don't understand that some people derive great pleasure in making things themselves rather than paying someone else to do it for them. If all you want is a drawer pull, then by all means go to the store and buy one.

[@primitivuss3121]

Sensacional, parabéns!!!

[@crazyfrenchfrog007]

great job ty for sharing

[@Skinnymoose]

Excellent!

[@MIWESTI]

EXCELENTE MAESTRO

[@OsmarCaco]

Liked it!

[@WestCoastMods]

Nice job

[@robertappleby4734]

how do you get them all to be precisely the same size?

[@ronniesolomon5235]

I cant find a tenon cutter

[@SAHBfan]

Ronnie Solomon - drill a hole instead and insert a dowel, maybe?

[@diy-chris1332]

I think it's a smart idea for making once! but if you go on to make some more the same way.... It isn't easy to copy the shape of the first one!

[@luisadriano9755]

que top belo trabalho

[@robertlangley258]

You sir, made that look way too easy. Nice job and very good video. Hmmmm, wonder how many of us will end up going to the ER to have a file removed from our chest cavity. 😳 🐪💨

[@robertsoncletokoerner7012]

MUITO BOM, parabéns!!!

[@walkertongdee]

Do Shakers use power tools?

[@FineWoodworking]

+Walkertongdee if they were available to them they would have. Shakers were always on the "cutting edge" of technology in their day.

[@TheFlightSimFreak]

+Walkertongdee You may be confusing Shakers with Amish.

[@censusgary]

The Shakers not only used power tools; they invented a lot of them, including some we still use today.

[@TheFlightSimFreak]

In case Gary doesn't get back to you soon here are a few Shaker invented tool. Circular saw, Flat broom, Lumber-drying kiln, Metal pen, Shaker broom vise, Shaker spinning wheel, Water-powered cooling fan, Wheel-driven washing machine.

[@censusgary]

Taunter: Also cut nails, disc plows, and many fruit and vegetable varieties.

[@twasblind316]

Excelent!

[@tirpitz19]

I wonder if i can do the same,with a router.Probably the speed is to high???

[@halsonger1317]

That would be very dangerous. Even if you could get the knob shaft to fit into the collet securely a router's speed is far too fast for this sort of work. Routers will spin somewhere between 12,000+ RPM for a small laminate trimmer up to 25,000 RPM or more for full-size routers. If the wood split or your tool got caught the wrong way it could propel pieces at very high speed.

[@philcrandlemire]

I like your idea but I think I would like to make a tool rest instead of free handing it.

[@colehalford1893]

👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏

[@el1061]

CLEVER THANX !!!

[@carlosmazarim9931]

otimo video

[@robyrei51]

grazie per la tua idea, secondo me il problema è farli tutti uguali...

[@jiyesuddin163]

nice

[@joeleonetti8976]

Now if I only had a drill press.