# Power drill lathe question

**URL:** <https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/power-drill-lathe-question/76816>\
**Category:** Yo-Yo Mods and Maintenance\
**Created:** [September 8, 2015, 9:24pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/power-drill-lathe-question/76816 "2015-09-08T21:24:03Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 7\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![FoolsGoldDigger](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/foolsgolddigger/32/7928_2.png) [@FoolsGoldDigger](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/FoolsGoldDigger)\
**Post date:** [September 8, 2015, 9:24pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/power-drill-lathe-question/76816/1 "2015-09-08T21:24:03Z")

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If anyone here has ever used a power drill as a lathe to mod a dunan yoyo, what volt drill do you need to muscle enough power?

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**Author:** ![kyo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/df705f/32.png) [@kyo](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/kyo)\
**Post date:** [September 8, 2015, 9:49pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/power-drill-lathe-question/76816/2 "2015-09-08T21:49:31Z")

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It has been done a lot… it is NOT recommended for safety reasons.

Kyle

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**Author:** ![FoolsGoldDigger](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/foolsgolddigger/32/7928_2.png) [@FoolsGoldDigger](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/FoolsGoldDigger)\
**Post date:** [September 8, 2015, 11:52pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/power-drill-lathe-question/76816/3 "2015-09-08T23:52:36Z")

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> [@kyo](#):
>
> It has been done a lot… it is NOT recommended for safety reasons.
> 
> Kyle

what do you mean?

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**Author:** ![Erik\_kerber](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/erik_kerber/32/7939_2.png) [@Erik\_kerber](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/Erik_kerber)\
**Post date:** [September 9, 2015, 2:45am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/power-drill-lathe-question/76816/4 "2015-09-09T02:45:29Z")

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> [@FoolsGoldDigger](#):
>
> what do you mean?

Well using a power tool in a manner that it is not designed for can be dangerous

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**Author:** ![kyo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/df705f/32.png) [@kyo](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/kyo)\
**Post date:** [September 9, 2015, 3:11am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/power-drill-lathe-question/76816/5 "2015-09-09T03:11:15Z")

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The most common version of this uses a drill (unstable and prone to snagging) and a screwdriver (NOT meant for lateral torque)… risk of injury is much, much higher than with a ‘real’ setup that can be obtained for a few hundred bucks. As such, I will never recommend this method.

Kyle

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**Author:** ![FoolsGoldDigger](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/foolsgolddigger/32/7928_2.png) [@FoolsGoldDigger](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/FoolsGoldDigger)\
**Post date:** [September 9, 2015, 3:41am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/power-drill-lathe-question/76816/6 "2015-09-09T03:41:51Z")

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I have a vice and a screwdriver sharpener. Even if the screwdriver is filed down to a sharp edge and the drill is vice locked in place, will it be okay to do it?

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**Author:** ![jhb8426](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/jhb8426/32/631_2.png) [@jhb8426](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/jhb8426)\
**Post date:** [September 9, 2015, 5:30am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/power-drill-lathe-question/76816/7 "2015-09-09T05:30:55Z")

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With the drill motor firmly attached to a work bench, and holding the screw driver such that it drags on the surface rather than having the sharp edge facing into the rotation you should be fine. You are scraping the surface rather than cutting. The result is basically the same.