Thread: How often do you replace your bushes?

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

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 )

Originally Posted by dai sensei

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

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

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

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.

Originally Posted by m.t

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: https://www.woodworkforums.com/f69/te...lishing-80767/