How often do you replace your bushes?

[corbs]

It's something I've been thinking about for a while and am interested in what others are doing.

[dai sensei]

Because I do all my sanding on Delrin bushes, no need

[Nai84]

I now only use them to get it close to finish size about 1mm or so then I turn between centers with the bushes and do the rest with vernies :-D so probably once in a blue moon now :-)

[m.t]

Because I do all my sanding on Delrin bushes, no need
delrin bushes??????? and were do you get them.:?

[corbs]

While I like the idea of turning between centres but I can turn two pens (bolt actions) from start to finish at a time on the mandrel. When I have so little time in the shed with work and three kids with sport & social lives, I like to maximise my time in the shed. I threw two bolt action bushes out yesterday because they were too worn. I ended up measuring them on the vernier calipers and got rid of the ones which were too worn :)

[seriola]

I like my bushes undersize, I shaved about 1mm off a new set yesterday. I also always use verniers anyway, the bushes let me know when I'm almost there. I can leave them in place to sand without contaminating the blank, if I need to be adding ca to stabilize pods etc they are not in the way and as I use a light wax coating on them it is out of the way too. I sometimes leave them there for my finishing ca other times use tapered cones.

[dai sensei]

delrin bushes??????? and were do you get them.:?

You can buy Delrin, or Acetal as it is also known, from Ebay or some major suppliers in Aus. I buy it from USA in 12" lengths, or Brisbane in 1m lengths. I generally buy the 20mm rod, drill it down the centre with a 1/4" drill, then turn a cone down before parting off.

Alternatively, cut some cutting board into little squares and turn them down, they just don't last as long. See here: http://www.woodworkforums.com/f69/teflon-bushes-final-sanding-finishing-polishing-80767/