Pin Mandrel

[Freck Fraser]

Hi folks,
looking for a bit of advice on pin mandrels, Ive tried a search on here and can't find much on them.

Any tips, hints, or links would be appreciated.

I've tried to grind down a punch that fits the tube I want to use and trimmed a nail, but it won't lock. Do I need to use a pin roller recovered from a bearing to make it work??

Cheers

Freck

 

[Bammer]

Jam chuck .... is that the same as a pin mandrel ?

 

[flexi]

I bought mine from the US....very good but again should be easy to make.
The principle is the pin should be forced off center to lock up tight but if in the center a snug fit.

 

[flexi]

Hope this helps??

 

[rayf6604]

I made my own from some aluminium rod I bought from eBay, turned it down to diameter I wanted and filed a flat bit and used a wire pin cut to length and Bobs your uncle. Pencrafts used to sell them in various sizes but they don’t have them listed. It might be worth a call to see if they still have them.

 

[woodhacker]

as Ray says...for slimline 1/4 bar file a flat and use a nail.

 

[silver]

Hi folks,
looking for a bit of advice on pin mandrels, Ive tried a search on here and can't find much on them.

Any tips, hints, or links would be appreciated.

I've tried to grind down a punch that fits the tube I want to use and trimmed a nail, but it won't lock. Do I need to use a pin roller recovered from a bearing to make it work??

Cheers

Freck

Buy yourself some transfer punches and file a flat edge on them, that's what I have done and work well.

I brought some 2mm and 3mm brass model engineers rod for around £3 a piece of e bay to use as the pins.

Filing is a slow job and worth the effort of getting it right, little at a time otherwise you will go too far. Then you will need the next size brass rod. (There was a reason I brought two sizes)

 

[Penpal]

Simply and easily made in your workshop. There are commercial ones I have used brass, aluminium and timber with welding rod of differring sizes for pins.

Peter.

 

[Freck Fraser]

Jam chuck .... is that the same as a pin mandrel ?

Don't think so Brad. But another method to try. Ta muchly.

I bought mine from the US....very good but again should be easy to make.
The principle is the pin should be forced off center to lock up tight but if in the center a snug fit.

View attachment 33752
Hope this helps??

Cheers Mark. Think I've over ground the flat I also seem to be using a pin/nail of too fine a gauge, will file a bigger flat and source a bigger dia pin, welding rod looks good.

I made my own from some aluminium rod I bought from eBay, turned it down to diameter I wanted and filed a flat bit and used a wire pin cut to length and Bobs your uncle. Pencrafts used to sell them in various sizes but they don’t have them listed. It might be worth a call to see if they still have them.

Ta Ray, I have a set of punches and intend to do a few to cater for different kits, looks like the pin is too loose, I'd say my tolerances are slacker than "Good Time Mary", a saloon lady from Alaska during the goldrush of 49' !!!!

as Ray says...for slimline 1/4 bar file a flat and use a nail.

Thanks Peter, thats what I tried, I have been too heavy handed with the removal of the flat by the looks of it!!!

Buy yourself some transfer punches and file a flat edge on them, that's what I have done and work well.

I brought some 2mm and 3mm brass model engineers rod for around £3 a piece of e bay to use as the pins.

Filing is a slow job and worth the effort of getting it right, little at a time otherwise you will go too far. Then you will need the next size brass rod. (There was a reason I brought two sizes)

Ta Eamonn, thats what I used, intend to do a few for different projects, it appears I just need to tighten up on my tolerances!!! Like the idea of the brass engineers rod

Simply and easily made in your workshop. There are commercial ones I have used brass, aluminium and timber with welding rod of differring sizes for pins.

Peter.

Thank you Peter, I would say I now know the cause of the pin not locking.

 

[Phil Dart]

I haven't checked recently, but I think PSI used to sell one if you can't be bothered with the all the filing thing.

 

[Bill Mooney]

I cut the head off a 11/4” panel pin & used the pin, this works fine for me.

 

[Graham_C]

Lots of good advice here as always!

I have to say I was nervous about making a pin mandrel, but having been given an old mandrel, I shortened it and filed a flat as described. I then used a modified panel pin as the locking device, and it worked a treat. Go for it if you're thinking about making one

 

[wm460]

I posted a couple, I made a while ago see if I can find the pics again.

 

[Pierre---]

I use pin chucks regularly, I made them in wood: not too good in the slimmer diameters, perfect above 10 mm. After a while (or at first use if I filed too much), the wood gets grooved by the pin (I use simple nails), so I glue a sheet of paper and it is brand new! If I file more and get a bigger nail, it will weaken the chuck.