Seeing there is 8 blanks on that rod, I figure it can't be any longer than 36". With the lathe turning at low speed, I wouldn't think there would be enough flex to cause problems applying a simple ca finish.But how much flex is there even with applying light pressure when finishing?
Can confirm as I use something similar. Not that long though.Seeing there is 8 blanks on that rod, I figure it can't be any longer than 36". With the lathe turning at low speed, I wouldn't think there would be enough flex to cause problems applying a simple ca finish.
Funny thing Dave is that I stumbled across this idea because I cribbed your suggestion for these drill rods. I went and bought an extra when and one day I was looking at the unused rod and then one of my unused mandrels and, as they say, light bulb!I get my Tight-Tolerance Drill Rods from McMaster-Carr at about $9 for 3-foot lengths.
Cool. Unfortunately the first thing I did when I got them was to cut them all down to mandrel lengths. Now I wish I had a long one so I could batch finish some pens for troops like this. - DaveFunny thing Dave is that I stumbled across this idea because I cribbed your suggestion for these drill rods. I went and bought an extra when and one day I was looking at the unused rod and then one of my unused mandrels and, as they say, light bulb!
Let us know how it goes please!This is actually brilliant. I have been using multiple mandrels for CA finishing - Swapping out one mandrel at a time to apply the CA, then remove it and set it aside to dry while I install another mandrel with more blanks to apply CA to. One quarter inch rod could hold all of the in-process blanks. I will try this tonight! Thanks for sharing.
So far, not so well... Standard 1/4" metal rod stock diameter is too large to fit most of my CA bushings. I know I bought some CA bushings a couple years ago that were too large for my mandrels, but I think I threw them away. I will try to figure out where I bought them and get some more. If anyone knows where I can get CA bushings with a larger ID hole, please let me know. I can also try sanding down the rod to reduce the diameter, or I can drill out some bushings.Let us know how it goes please!
You can always buy an HDPE rod and make your own custom bushings.So far, not so well... Standard 1/4" metal rod stock diameter is too large to fit most of my CA bushings. I know I bought some CA bushings a couple years ago that were too large for my mandrels, but I think I threw them away. I will try to figure out where I bought them and get some more. If anyone knows where I can get CA bushings with a larger ID hole, please let me know. I can also try sanding down the rod to reduce the diameter, or I can drill out some bushings.