Thread: In search of perfection (or close to it)

Originally Posted by tdrumnut

I've virtually kicked bushes altogether and only TBC using callipers for sizing and are getting much better results, it does add a little time to each turning but thats what works for me. I dont do a lot of slim/stream lines anymore but if the occasion arises I turn one barrel at a time on an adjustable mandrel using a mandrel saver and I seem to get virtually no out of roundness. I have also with the use of shims got the alignment on the woodfast pretty good with minimal play in the tailstock.

Ok so after reading though this thread and having issues with mandrels in the past I got some of Fred's bushes for Sierras which work a dream. But I seen Trev doesn't use bushes at all so I had a crack his way and it does add a bit more time to making the pen but hey it is worth it. I ended up with a awesomely turned pen. I turned it down a little over sized 12.15 (Sierra) and sanded it the rest of the way down to 12.11 it there abouts and what a smashing pen it is. I just turned another one using the standard bushes most of the and I have no loaded it to turn the rest with out so will see how I go. Trev and chance of some pics of your set-up mate

Ian

Originally Posted by Nai84

Ok so after reading though this thread and having issues with mandrels in the past I got some of Fred's bushes for Sierras which work a dream. But I seen Trev doesn't use bushes at all so I had a crack his way and it does add a bit more time to making the pen but hey it is worth it. I ended up with a awesomely turned pen. I turned it down a little over sized 12.15 (Sierra) and sanded it the rest of the way down to 12.11 it there abouts and what a smashing pen it is. I just turned another one using the standard bushes most of the and I have no loaded it to turn the rest with out so will see how I go. Trev and chance of some pics of your set-up mate

Ian

Ian I'm turning a couple of exec clicks innthevnext couple of days and I'll try to remember to take some pic for you

Originally Posted by tdrumnut

Ian I'm turning a couple of exec clicks innthevnext couple of days and I'll try to remember to take some pic for you

Thanks mate that would be awesome ;-)

Ian

Originally Posted by Ironwood

The road to perfection is a never ending one, the closer you seem to get, the further you will move the goalposts out.

I know what you mean about the shop-bought mandrels, never found a good one yet.
That is one of the reasons I got myself a metal lathe, so I could make bushes and things for myself.
The best system I have found so far is the between centre bushes.
Though one 8mm mandrel that I made myself, that is held in a collet chuck with a homemade madrel-saver type live centre on the tailstock end, does a pretty good job, but I still finish off with the blank between centres, no bushes.

This is what you need the check mandrel runout, runout on mandrel is have to be within 0.03mm otherwise it shows up then you are assambling the pen. I have been using that setup for 6months, without any problem
Lathe Spindle Runout Dial Gauge KIT Wood PEN Turning Woodworking Tool | eBay

Greg,
The mark on mine is from an accidental contact with the carbide cutting tool in the metal lathe…look before you feed if you get my meaning!
As in one of these replies, a run out dial indicator is rather inexpensive, and careful use will show you which way to go…additional plus is you can mount your blanks between centers once you solve the alignment issue and see if the finished pen is truly round…a little math work and you can use it in place of a caliper to measure the “thickness” of the blank and finish.

Originally Posted by plantagenon

Thanks Ed. I bought a set of the 60 degree pilot hole/counter sinker for the metal lathe. Got a set off EBay from somewhere in China. I haven't used it yet. I also bought a set of Robert Sorby live centres which is the poor 60 degree that has been turned into something other than 60 degrees. I have one of the heavy live centres you showed in the photograph. I bought that from McJing tools and I have been using it for a while now. I noticed the one of your in the photo has been marked a bit too. I bought a new mandrel at the WW Show in Brisbane last week and I bought some special bushes from Fred (Bigshed). No matter what I use there is a distinct wobble when the metal lathe and wood lathe are turning at slow speed. It is not so bad in the wood lathe.

Given that it happens with whichever type of mandrel/bushes I use, the problem is obviously with the set up of the lathes, particularly the metal lathe. While I can still turn pens and sort out most of the problems with sandpaper at the end, it is bloody frustrating.

My problem is I have the equipment I need but I lack the technical expertise to sort out the problems. Nevertheless, with the assistance I have been given by members on this Forum, I am beginning to slowly learn how to adjust or adapt things. Damned if it is going to beat me; I will get it right eventually. Once I get the lathes set up properly, I will buy some new replacement bushes from Fred and a couple of new live centres to replace the damaged ones,then it might turn without a wobble. I will have to get this done before I leave work, yet again, and the money begins to dry up

Greg

Originally Posted by tore

This is what you need the check mandrel runout, runout on mandrel is have to be within 0.03mm otherwise it shows up then you are assambling the pen. I have been using that setup for 6months, without any problemLathe Spindle Runout Dial Gauge KIT Wood PEN Turning Woodworking Tool | eBay

I wonder if they are available in oz? the postage is more than the item itself.

Hi all
Get this one and make your own holder to slid into tool rest holder
NEW 0 10mm X 0 01mm Dial Indicator Free Postage | eBay

Originally Posted by tore

Hi all
Get this one and make your own holder to slid into tool rest holder
NEW 0 10mm X 0 01mm Dial Indicator Free Postage | eBay

I have one of these in metric and imperial, but with my old eyes I needed something smaller for my small metal lathe, ended up with a digital one push button to zero, push button to change from metric to imperial
My eyes are much happier these days cheers ~ John