HI FOLKS I AM HAVING TROUBLE WITH PEN BUSHINGS I SEEM TO TURN THESE DOWN ALL THE TIME WHICH GIVES ME THE WRONG SIZE BLANK. IS THEIR ANY THING I CAN DO ABOUT THIS, OR IS THEIR ANOTHER MATERIAL I CAN USE THAT WONT WEAR DOWN SO EASLY.,

the bushes will wear out if you turn down to to then or sand with the bushes on

so turn down to close to final size then put the tubes between a live centre and a dead centre to do your final sanding

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regards
Nick (I really don't need a Stubby!)
veni, vidi, tornavi

I am by no means an expert in turning but if you are wearing bushes down that badly you are definately turning them wrong. There is no need for the tools to touch the bushes very often at all and even by leaving the bushes on to sand it should they do not wear down very quickly. I have had some of my bushes for years.

Cheers Ian

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www.huntervalleycustompens.com

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I must say I leave the bushes on when sanding but reckon then don't get too worn down too quickly if you are careful. I think that they are a consumable, so if they give grief throw them out, a bit like sandpaper.

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Michael

Wood Butcher

Like the other guys have said, avoid touching the bushings with your turning tools & sandpaper. If you find they are now undersized, get a set of digital calipers to check the measurements of your blank as you turn and sand down
To the specified size. The main problem I experience is CA build-up on the bushes. I just clean them up while spinning on the mandrel with an old sharp half inch wood chisel.

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I never forget anything I remember !!

I don't have a lot of problems with the bushes wearing down either. The cheaper ones from China need to be replaced every so often but are not expensive. Then again if you practice and keep the tools off the bushes there is not a problem. I only use sandpaper for the final trim to the bushes and if you are careful their contact with the bushes is very minor and light.

I only use delrin bushes for applying the CA and they clean up easily with the dry CA breaking off with slight pressure from a pair of pliers. Some will shudder

You can get a pair of electronic calipers from Aldi at the moment for around $14. They are good value for the cost.

If you want much tougher bushes you could go to the metal turning site on this forum and ask if anyone is interested in making them you but I doubt they will be cheap.

Greg

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The Pen is mightier than the Sword

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I always try to keep my chisels clear of the bushes as touching them will only take the edge of the tool, especially if they are only carbon steel. As others have said, just sneek the sandpaper slowly up to the edge of the bush and try not to overlap onto it, or only slightly if you do. Try to get as close to size with the tool so that you only need to do minimal sanding to finish off. Sanding on the bushes with coarse paper will certainly reduce their diameter quickly. I have not had to replace any of my bushes in probably about 2 years

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Cheers,
Dallas

I have been told or read that the bushing need to be replaced every 20 to 40 pens. So I would suggest that you keep an eye out for spare bushes