Have I got it right or have I missed something? I have an Evolution 9 mandrel system from T/Retreat, and after turning an acrylic blank yesterday I found that it had turned elliptical by at least 1mm. I placed the shaft of the mandrel onto a flat surface and when I shined a light from behind I could see light under the middle but not at the ends so therefore I take it that it must be slightly bent. I have ordered a new shaft from T/Retreat but I was thinking about the new idea of mandrel savers.
I have the headstock end of another old 1 MT mandrel which is hollow right through because the shaft was adjustable. I tried placing this into the tailstock and adjusting the Evolution9 mandrels length so that this old mandrel pushed up against the knurled nut used to tighten the bushes. It appeared to hold everything secure with nothing pushing onto the end of the mandrel shaft. Have I created a mandrel saver or am I missing some fundamental problem. As I have no engineering bent I would like to seek the advice from those who have.
