Beginners and Mandrels

[winchman]

Hello I am new here and want to make some pens with our son.
I have a small metal work lathe.
Mandrels look to be expensive so cant I make my own?

 

[Buckeye]

You could, or you could turn between centres instead, that way you don't need a mandrel. It might be easier to just bite the bullet and buy a mandrel though.

Peter

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p6wTnychR1U

 

[Bigblackdog]

i have done my first few pens turning between centres. The only comment that I will make is that it is slow, particularly on a pen that has a cap and barrel. i like the idea of not using a mandrel, but using one would make things easier I think.

 

[Penpal]

Not much money involved here mate a mandrel and collet chuck should last for quite some time also throw in a mandrel saver at the same time, this device helps a great deal as well.

Peter.

 

[silver]

Morning Dave and welcome

In short yes you can make your own mandrel, but if you already have a metal lathe you may already have the tools in your workshop to turn a pen.

Between centres has been mentioned above already, that is an excelent way to start.

Why don't you put a quick intro of your self, your set up and what you have done in our "introduce your self" part of the forum. That way we get a better understanding and can offer advice in an informed way so to help you and your son to make the pens.

By the way, if you have the lathe then you are 100% there toward turning your first pen..

By the way, Mandrels rods can be brought for less than £20

 

[winchman]

THanks, what would you recommend in the way of a cheap set of chisels?

 

[Jim]

You will get plenty of life out of a good mandrel Dave, turning between centers is ok, but to be honest i would get a bit of experience for you boy before doing this ..

You can buy a set of gouges of ebay for less than £20, but i will guarantee if your boy gets into this you will be spend more at a later date on better ..

 

[Buckeye]

THanks, what would you recommend in the way of a cheap set of chisels?

I would be careful of a cheap set of chisels unless they are a good set that is used, cheap tools can be dangerous, but quality tools even used they are much better.

Peter

 

[mattyts]

I make my own, I use one of these RDGTOOLS 2MT SOFT STUB ARBOUR BLANK END FOR LATHE 28MM X 30MM MYFORD | eBay

drill the hole through for your mandrel and 4 grub screw holes around the outside,the mandrels themselves I used silver steel,centre drilled and threaded one end.

For tools,you could buy individually, I bought a set of about 8 but only use 4, a parting tool,skew,scraper and spindle gouge.

 

[Penpal]

The sooner you overcome the accuracy of a true running blank the sooner it becomes a pleasure to turn pens. Like Mrs Beaton first slaughter your Ox. Wish you both much fun and success. My son is in his 50,s now opportunities taken now last forever.

Peter.

 

[winchman]

I make my own, I use one of these RDGTOOLS 2MT SOFT STUB ARBOUR BLANK END FOR LATHE 28MM X 30MM MYFORD | eBay

drill the hole through for your mandrel and 4 grub screw holes around the outside,the mandrels themselves I used silver steel,centre drilled and threaded one end.

For tools,you could buy individually, I bought a set of about 8 but only use 4, a parting tool,skew,scraper and spindle gouge.

Thanks have you by any chance got a photo or drawing?