Thread: Live Centres

Hi Shirley if you can wait till next week 3rd Jan Garry Pye has these just come in worth talking to him about.

I use the fine point one normally

Hey Shirley,

I have just finished a huge Mining company order and used a Mandrel Saver in my tailstock, the bestest jigger I have ever brought.

HazzaB

Thanks fellas. That is the thingy I need, and will get it as soon as the suppliers are open.
Cheers,
Shirley.

Those things are the bees knees.

Can someone tell me how you use it please. It looks like you do not use a live centre with it. Is that correct???

Originally Posted by cookie48

Can someone tell me how you use it please. It looks like you do not use a live centre with it. Is that correct???

Cookie

The mandrel saver sits in the tailstock and is a live centre with a hole though the middle to take the pen mandrel shaft. When you tighten up the tailstock all the force is transmitted through the bushings and blank into the headstock. None of the force is on the mandrel rod. I went through a few mandrel rods and a lot of out of round pens before I bought mine. Not a problem since.

cheers
WH

Is there anywhere to get one of these things in MT1?
I have a pile of bent mandrel rods

Cheers, Mitch

Originally Posted by MitchB

Is there anywhere to get one of these things in MT1?
I have a pile of bent mandrel rods

Cheers, Mitch

Yes. If you buy direct from the US here and here.

Peter.

Originally Posted by Sturdee

Yes. If you buy direct from the US here and here.

Peter.

Thanks heaps for that Peter, I just ordered one from Penn State.
Aswell as a few other things that ill get around to.... one day.

Cheers, Mitch

Be aware of the pressure from the live centre on these. Too much can cause bowing of the pen mandrel and undue wear on your lathe bearings due to the thrust. So do not over-tighten.

I have managed to bend 3 mandrels so far - just goes to show it is easy to do

I now use an adjustable one but I am sure I will find a way to bend that too. 8mm mandrels are far better than the 7mm but then your whole set up has to change. Nevertheless, I can still turn a pen straight even with my mandrels. The trick I have found is to stand as close as possible to the blank and watch the bottom of the blank, not the top, as you turn it to get an idea as to whether it is being cut straight. Haven't destroyed a blank yet by doing that and get a near perfect cut each time, even on a slightly bent mandrel. Mind you my dust extrator has a Carbatec head which has a plastic folding top on it to stop dust blowing up into my face. I am sure it is a case of each to their own but it works well for me.

Greg

Me again - just ordered one too and a bit more stuff from Penn State as shipping is very expensive for just one item.

Greg

Originally Posted by plantagenon

Me again - just ordered one too and a bit more stuff from Penn State as shipping is very expensive for just one item.

Greg

Just a heads up on Pennstate, I buy anything I want from them through Woodturningz as they are a reseller for penstate and use the small flatrate package if possible $14.50 approx. Just choose what you want, and make a note of the item, then email the order to Ryan at woodturningz , often they are actually a bit cheaper as well hehe, cheers ~ John

Originally Posted by gawdelpus

Just a heads up on Pennstate, I buy anything I want from them through Woodturningz as they are a reseller for penstate and use the small flatrate package if possible $14.50 approx. Just choose what you want, and make a note of the item, then email the order to Ryan at woodturningz , often they are actually a bit cheaper as well hehe, cheers ~ John

Thanks John. Yes, I have been checking prices and there is a big difference in most of them.
Happy New Year. I will get those stones away as soon as I have them sorted.
Cheers,
Shirley