Thread: Adjustable Pen Mandrel

get a yank friend to buy it and ship it over and you reimburse them?

Yes that is an option, in fact I posted the same question on the IAP forum, and someone was kind enough to offer to do just that

It seems to be becoming a bit of a pattern though, whatever I want in my very short stint as a pen turner so far, I'm getting from the US. Either because I just plain can't get it here (various blanks and Sierra kits in finishes not available here) or it is just so much cheaper over there that even with postage you are way in front.

When I was setting up the local Carbatec here in Canberra sold me one. Maybe a place to start locally?

Corbs

Originally Posted by corbs

When I was setting up the local Carbatec here in Canberra sold me one. Maybe a place to start locally?

Corbs

Corbs, I know Carbatec stock and sell the A size adjustable mandrel, as does Jim Carroll (where I got mine). I have never seen the B size adjustable mandrel in Carbatec 's cattledog or indeed in the Melbourne store.

The don't sell any B size kits, as far as I know Berea Hardwoods are the only one that make B size kits, sold here by Addictive Pen Kits (froggie).

You sure you got a B size adjustable mandrel from Carbatec?

Edit:

This is the only B size adjustable mandrel I have been able to find, it is different from the A size one I use, which you have to use spanners for.

The 'B' mandrel is the bigger one isn't it? I got the bigger mandrel from the local Carbatec and it is adjustable. It is a nut type system similar to the plastic hose fittings, tighten the nut which pushes prongs down onto the shaft locking it to length.

Corbs

Yes, that sounds like the one, how long ago did you buy it?

Will give them a ring in the morning, thanks Corbs.

Rang Melbourne and they definitely don't have them.

I picked up mine 12-18 months ago. No idea if they still have them or not but that was the Carbatec here in Canberra (Fyshwick).

Corbs

Just a thought BS go to Blackwoods and see if the can sell you the collett that will grip an 8mm shaft and fit in where your existing collett goes in your mandrel then all you will have to buy is the 8mm shaft.

Froggie

That's clever thinking Froggie, will try that also. I have looked at various collet systems for MT2 and MT3 mandrels, and they are number ER16, ER25. ER32 ER40 etc.

As I am only a simple chemist and not an engineer I haven't got a clue what outside sizes they are.

There is a guy on the IAP forum that sells 1/4" (A") and 5/16" (B) collets, but doesn't sell the collet chucks. Those collets fit an ER32 chuck.

Why are you using one of them? Use the normal (common) one in a drill chuck, it's easier to adjust than the system on the mandrel you have

Originally Posted by funkychicken

Why are you using one of them? Use the normal (common) one in a drill chuck, it's easier to adjust than the system on the mandrel you have

Sorry, not the same thing by a long shot!

The main advantage of the adjustable mandrel is that you can adjust (hence the title) the length of the mandrel to suit the size of the blank.

For instance, I have just turned 6 or so Sierra blanks in acrylic and Dymondwood.

First of all the overall length of the mandrel, the Sierra blank is quite short you get 2 out a standard blank, is then quite short. No extra "padding" bushes required as you would use with a standard mandrel setup or indeed a Jacobs drill chuck. Less chance of run out and less chance to sjin your knuckles on a Jacobs chuck.

Even more importantly, I can leave it set up on the mandrel, take the mandrel out of the lathe and take it straight to the polishing mop. I couldn't do that with a big bulky Jacobs chuck hanging off the end.

Hope that explains my "logic"?

I have the 2 of the Collet Chucks made by Enzo at Vermec, one for each lathe and they are great . I prefer the screw on ones rather then the mandrel type. Ordered one of these Collet sets on eBay just the other day as I only had the one collet in the 6 to 7mm size to start me off and will be very handy as I'll be able to grip anything from 1mm right through to 16mm. To make it easier to identify the sizes to BS, the ER25 means that the hole in the collet nut is 25mm or very close to it or the ER40 is 40mm hole in the nut.

Means I could rough turn blanks between centres and then mount in collet chuck to drill if desire to do so. In fact I may start doing so, rough turn a bunch of them, then mount using 16mm collet, drill, glue tube in, then once dry, remount and true ends using the barrel trimmer.

My next step is to remove the cone on the live centre and make a bush setup like Penpal's has so that the tailstock is pushing on the bush and blank rather than the mandrel.

I have also bought some of the Silver Steel from one of the guys from either IAP or TPS, can't remember exactly who at this stage, but it is dead straight and quite hard to bend.

Basically what DJ said, Enzo has one of the best Australian collet chucks going around, and the beauty is it is made in Australia in Brisbane. I know some will pop their eyes at the price but DJ will back me on this the engineering of these chucks and any of Enzo's products are of the highest quality.

Wow....why haven't I been told about those before. Anyways thank you DJ for that link I am going to make a call tomorrow and get me one of those.
DJ can you email me with some info on how to contact the people that make them.

Froggie