Thread: 2 questions

Originally Posted by Rum Pig

I have 2 questions I wish to ask you mob

1: how much do you sell your pens for
eg. if the pen parts cost $10 (this include a bit for power and polish etc) what mark up do you put on them???

2: I just turned my first executive pen I think that is what it is called. When I was turning the pen I noticed the pen blank was flush with the bush on one side but when I turned it 180 degrees it was sitting proud, like it had been turned oval shape if that make sense (only on the middle bush), What could be the cause of this? is it a bent mandrel??

Your help is much appreciated.

1: Multiply your cost of material x 3
2: Check your alignment first i.e. put a dead centre in head stock and one in the tail stock bring them together and see if the are in correct alignment. If not adjust lathe to suit.

You may also bee putting to much pressure on the tail stock, just nip enough so the mandrill spins. Do not tighten the brass wheel till the tail stock is set and then only enough to hold the blanks from free spinning

Lets know how you go.

Originally Posted by Simomatra

1: Multiply your cost of material x 3
2: Check your alignment first i.e. put a dead centre in head stock and one in the tail stock bring them together and see if the are in correct alignment. If not adjust lathe to suit.

You may also bee putting to much pressure on the tail stock, just nip enough so the mandrill spins. Do not tighten the brass wheel till the tail stock is set and then only enough to hold the blanks from free spinning

Lets know how you go.

You might be onto a winner there I tighten the brass wheel as tight as I can and same with the tail stock (without going over board) I will try what you have said thankyou.

Another less obvious problem is bushing wear in the bores, a few thousandths of an inch can show up as you describe, as an eccentric ,not a lot you can do except to loosen and reposition the blanks to realign and rework ,as simo says overtightening the centre and locking screw will tend to throw the centre bush out a bit, enough to notice as you have discovered, It usually comes up ok though.

Originally Posted by gawdelpus

Another less obvious problem is bushing wear in the bores, a few thousandths of an inch can show up as you describe, as an eccentric ,not a lot you can do except to loosen and reposition the blanks to realign and rework ,as simo says overtightening the centre and locking screw will tend to throw the centre bush out a bit, enough to notice as you have discovered, It usually comes up ok though.

This was the first time these bushes were used so wear should not be a problem.
As for the pen, well to me the faults stick out like dogs giblets but everyone that I have shown (non woodturners) have really liked it so it is passable but I like to improve a bit before I give/sell them (or take photos for this forum).
I have to turn one for a birthday present on the weekend so I will see if over tightening is the problem.

Great tip about setting the tail stock first before the brass nut. I tried it today and the results were much better! Thank you!

when counting your cost of material don't forget to include the lost cost - ie wasted blanks etc as they all cost money

Thanks for that Nick I'm lucky that I do not pay for 90% of my blanks so that is not normally a problem but I will keep it in mind thanks again

You may also bee putting to much pressure on the tail stock, just nip enough so the mandrill spins. Do not tighten the brass wheel till the tail stock is set and then only enough to hold the blanks from free spinning

I tried this on the weekend and it worked a treat thank you

Originally Posted by Rum Pig

I tried this on the weekend and it worked a treat thank you

Cheers RP look after square bear