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GeneW

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Oct 8, 2008
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I am looking for reliable mandrils. I was told that an IAP member made mandrils that are true, but, that member may no longer be doing so.

I am also wondering where I might find titanium gold cigar kits with top quality plating. Berea Hardwoods claims that other companies are buying their kits through brokers, whereas, they purchase directly from the manufacturer. Would someone please help? I have an order to fill and want to produce excellent quality products.

I must also add, and I'm sure this will get a few chuckles, that I use a ShopSmith and, thereby, must mount the mandrils using a three-jaw chuck.

Thanks in advance for the help.
 
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I will offer a different suggestion if you are looking for quality. Mandrels can and do offer quality turnings. However, the fact that you are looking for a "reliable" one indicates that you may not be satisfied with what you have.

What if you could eliminate the mandrel all together? See this post: http://www.penturners.org/forum/showthread.php?t=38361&highlight=skogger

Skip down to the second picture, and third and fourth. No mandrels used! The mandrel is eliminated and accuracy is dependent on less steps and less tools in the set up. Any chance you can do this with your ShopSmith?
 
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Since you use a 3 jaw chuck you won't ever be perfect but here's a little tip. I have a dial indicator mounted on a post that fits in the banjo (tool rest holder). I put it on the end of the mandrel just before the threads and rotate it by hand. When I get to the high spot I tap gently with a plastic head hammer. 3 or 4 tries and I can get the runout to under .001". You can make your own post out of anything and an indicator can be had for under $20.
Hope this helps!:wink:
I found a photo.......
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Rick,

I neglected to indicate that I am totally blind. I usually leave that fact out because it sometimes makes others uncomfortable an less likely to answer questions. I haven't found a dial indicator, at least, not one that would cost several thousand dollars, that has any kind of audio output. I own one, but, sighted assistance is rarely available. Thanks, for the suggestion, it is excellent and would work under "normal" circumstances. lol
 
I would like to add my two cents. I too have a shop smith, and have been turning pens for a while. I use the stainless steel mandrels from Woodcraft, and I try to avoid the aluminum ones. I found If I don't slam the head stock, with the mandrel mounted in the chuck, into the tail stock. I can get a decent cut with almost any tool. I would love to upgrade to a nice Powermatic lathe, but what I have works great for now.
 
Wow... I think you'll find here you will still get alot of advise and not too many uncomfortable.

I say Wow, because I can't even begin to wrap my brain around woodworking blind. I definitely can understand parts because touch will often tell me alot about the wood under tight tolerances that the eye can't see -- but anyone who can use powertools blind has way more control than I can ever hope for.

Good luck to you - i hope the answers help. My two cents - I use a removable mandrel and I find simple rolling on glass or other true surface tells me which side to 'tap' on to straighten if it needs it.
 
Hi Gene,
Titanium gold is a top quality plating...the best gold colored plating for durability issues. And, the Berea cigar is a quality pen. You may want to check the prices at http://www.arizonasilhouette.com or http://www.beartoothwoods.com Both are Berea resellers.

Do a good turn daily1
Don

GeneW said:
I am also wondering where I might find titanium gold cigar kits with top quality plating.

Thanks in advance for the help.
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Thanks everyone for the encouragement and helpful advice. I learned from the folks at Woodcraft that the 60º live center is important. In my ignorance, I thought all live centers were the same.

Hank mentioned turning pens without a mandril. Would someone explain how to go about doing that?
 
GeneW said:
Thanks everyone for the encouragement and helpful advice. I learned from the folks at Woodcraft that the 60º live center is important. In my ignorance, I thought all live centers were the same.

Hank mentioned turning pens without a mandril. Would someone explain how to go about doing that?
Click to expand...

Gene,

You need a 60 degree live center on the tail stock and a dead center/ drive center available from Grizzly. However they need to fit in a MT shaft. With a friend, you could make your own drive for the SS. I made my first dead center drive that fit in a drill chuck on the head stock end, and still have it. It worked well other than being made from aluminum.
 
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