A while back I mentioned in a thread that I use no mandrel for turning larger pens and my high end pens, torches etc. Terry, (Schaf) asked for some photos, so here they are. This is set up on my 19 year old Carb-a-tec lathe.
Picture 1:
The dead centre in the head stock, it was originally a ring dead centre that I reshaped to a cone.
Picture 2:
This is looking down at the dead and live centre coming together to a point.
Picture 3:
The African Blackwood blank with bushes in place between the two centres.
Picture 4:
Shows the tool rest in position.
Due to the bushes be in situ there is no flaring of the tube and it is surprising the little amount of pressure that is really neede to drive the blank for turning. Because the mandrel is eliminated there is no chance for wobble and you obtain 100% accuracy in turning. I still use mandrels but when I want something better than the average bear this the way I go.
Cheers
Darren