Thread: Mandrels for pen turning

Greg, what you are after are "A" and "B" mandrels, nominally 1/4" and 5/16" respectively.

They are normally held in a collet or chuck, so the MT2 part is a bit puzzling?

Easy enough to make your own, buy some Silver Steel in 1/4" and 5/16", cut to correct lenght and use a 1/4" or 5/16" die to cut a thread on one end, voila.

Hey Greg,

The next best thing yu can do is buy a Mandrel Saver from either GPW or Carrolls,and then if you bend the mandrel rod with one of them, you better wrap the wheel on your tail stock with Barbed Wire so you cant tighten it so much.

HazzaB

I am making some long #2 arbors as we speak for future projects since my taper attachment is set up. They are just cold rolled steel if you would like one let me know.. I could prob finish to your specs..Bob

ive made my own MT2 mandrels for pen turning, if your still interested PM me and see what we can work out.

Fred

My lathe, a Woodfast Midi, uses a Morse Taper No 2. Therefore, I screw the mandrel into the No 2 fitting which then slips into the lathe head. Forgive me for my lack of knowledge of the proper terminology as I haven't been using a lathe for long. I don't use anything other than that. The problem is the mandrel metal is so weak that even a moderate pressure on it during turning will eventally bend it. I though a stainless steel rod (mandrel) that I could screw into the head would help to stop bending. Maybe I should post some photos of what I am after.
Greg

Greg, I'm assuming the MT2 is internal to the Woodfast Midi headstock spindle.

If that is the case you can use a variety of methods and chucks to hold a mandrel.

This has been covered by several people, including me, in the past, here is a link to my diatribe on the subject.

https://www.woodworkforums.com/f69/mandrel-94172/

These ER collet chucks are also available to screw on the the outside thread of the headstock spindle, Vermec supply them, I have one for my WL_46 spindle (M30x3.5).





The advantage of this type of chck is that the mandrel can be pushed through and be made as short as possible.

All this helps to prvent run-out when turning pens, or other small diameter stuff.

To this end I might also add that since the above thread, some 2+ years ago, I have moved on and now use mainly No Mandrel Bushes, ie I rarely use a mandrel at all these days and rarely experience any runout or out of round pens.

See this link here

https://www.woodworkforums.com/f69/ne...entres-114902/

I use the same type bushed but made from Delrin for finishing with CA



Hope this, rather long, reply helps somewhat to explain about mandrels and how to hold them.