Pen Mills

[mick61]

G`day folks just a quick question for you lerned pen makers .Do you have to use the exact or bigger pen mill to get the best fit,eg I have a 12mm pen mill but the baron bush size is 14mm can I get away with that or do I need to buy a bigger mill or do I set up a sanding disk to finish the ends of the blanks before I turn them.
Mick

P.S. this is my first barron.

[timberbits]

You could you a sanding disk to clean the pen ends. This takes a little longer than a pen mill. If done correctly you would end up with a better finish.

The 12mm could be used, but you have to chase the tube around by slowly working around the tube. I have in the past did this but the $30 to upgrade to a larger mill was well worth the investment.

Timberbits.

[Buzz]

The sander is your best option. But get a larger mill as soon as you can, they can be used on smaller diameter pens too, but as you have discovered, not the other way around.

[Les in Red Deer]

I turn down Corian Inserts with a 7mm tube that fits inside all the larger pen kit tubes.
This way I only need a 7mm pilot shaft to mill the larger tubed kits.
I use the inserts on my disk sanding jig as well.
I also use these inserts for doing finishing of the larger tubed kits on my "A" Mandrel.

Les

[mick61]

Thanks Les but the problem is the head of the mill is not large enough I can make inserts too.
Mick

[Mobil Man]

Mick, you can buy just the milling head & put it on you're shaft. Get the 3/4". It will mill any size blank you need, & make spacers to go from the mill to the inside of each different size tube.

[mick61]

G`day mobile man where can you just buy the milling head?
Mick

[DJ’s Timber]

G`day mobile man where can you just buy the milling head?
Mick


Addictive Pen Kits has them (http://www.addictivepenkits.com.au/product_info.php?cPath=57_80&products_id=234) for $8.95

[mick61]

G`day thanks for the help fellows.
Mick

[Mobil Man]

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