I want to turn pens please help with lathe

[Gajic's Blanks]

Hi guys,

Ive inherited my friends lathe and i want to turn pens. My friend gave me this lathe for nothing because it has nowhere to put a morse taper aqnd hence nothing to hold the mandrel... The hole at the head is only 5mm in diameter and i have no idea how many TPI it is as i have no idea how to measure it...

So is there an adapter or a chuck i can use?

Ive included a pic below so any advice appreciated!
Thanks!

<a href="http://s390.photobucket.com/user/rgajic/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20161006_071849_zpsknmocpt2.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i390.photobucket.com/albums/oo345/rgajic/Mobile%20Uploads/20161006_071849_zpsknmocpt2.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 20161006_071849_zpsknmocpt2.jpg"/></a> (http://s390.photobucket.com/user/rgajic/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20161006_071849_zpsknmocpt2.jpg.html)

[woodPixel]

Is there an ID plate or any form of make/model anywhere on the lathe?

[Ironwood]

Have a read of this thread that is running in the pen turning forum - http://www.woodworkforums.com/f69/help-lathe-question-please-208835

This question comes up every year or so, so there will be more threads on the subject buried further down if you want to search for them.

As you will read, there are work arounds for this problem, with a bit of effort you will be able to turns pens using this type of lathe, but its likely to be a source of frustration due to the innacuracy that you will likely get from the setup you will need to use.
I havent read the other thread fully, so dont know all of what was suggested, but if I was doing it, I would determine the thread and look on ebay for an ER25 collet chuck to suit it. That will be your best chance to hold a mandrel shaft accuately, you could probably also find a straight shank dead centre that you could use to turn between centres as well. Then theres the other problem of the tailstock, did it come with a live centre ?
But..... in all honesty, you would probably be better off putting the money you would be spending towards buying a better lathe something with morse tapers in the headstock and tailstock. A decent 2nd hand one will set you back a couple of hundred dollars.

[wedgtail]

I have a GMC with th same problem after much investigation I turned the machine into a buffing station and baught a lathe with morse tapers

[wheelinround]

Just had a thought and not seeing this idea posted before anywhere. Pen mandrel shafts are generally 6 o 7 mm dia. IF you use a drill and bore the spindle out o that size and use a collett and nut to secure the mandrel shaft and the hollow tipped tail stock it sounds good not sure the hassle is worth it.

I agree with wedgetail disc sander buffing system is best use. Buy a Mini or midi lathe or slightly large you'll want to make a bowl at some stage and something longer than a pen.

[Gajic's Blanks]

thanks for the replies!!! seems i have some reading to do...

Btw, its one of these..

<a href="http://s390.photobucket.com/user/rgajic/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20161014_182820_zpsa2cr39jk.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i390.photobucket.com/albums/oo345/rgajic/Mobile%20Uploads/20161014_182820_zpsa2cr39jk.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 20161014_182820_zpsa2cr39jk.jpg"/></a> (http://s390.photobucket.com/user/rgajic/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20161014_182820_zpsa2cr39jk.jpg.html)