Making center bands?

[Royce Meritt]

What procedure do any of you use when making your own center bands? I have tried a couple of times to make center bands and always have the same problem. I can't seem to get the 2 ends of the band to be flat AND parallel to each other. This, of course, results in unsightly gaps between the barrels and the center band. Any tricks? Thanks.

 

[Fleabit]

I just use an end mill on both the center band and the pen tube. One thing I do that may not be the norm: I glue in a piece of brass tube so that the CB and the turned tubes are all on the same level.

 

[gerryr]

I guess I cheat entirely. I glue the two pieces up before I ever drill the blanks.

 

[kghinsr]

I take the color acrylic that I want to use, glue them together, drill a 1/4 inch hole, cut them to the size needed and turn them on the lathe.
ken
slippery rock, pa

 

[RussFairfield]

You can go to my wesite and see a description and photos of how I make center-bands. It might be helpful.

http://www.woodturnerruss.com/Pen51a.html

 

[ctEaglesc]

I have found that CB's without a tube in them are prone to cracking or breaking.
No sense looking for an unsatisfied customer for the lack of a piece of brass tube 3/16th's" long

 

[ed4copies]

Originally posted by cteaglesc
<br />I have found that CB's without a tube in them are prone to cracking or breaking.
No sense looking for an unsatisfied customer for the lack of a piece of brass tube 3/16th's" long

Where do you get that tubing in 3/16th's long????

Sorry, Eagle, the devil MADE me do it!!![}][}][}][}]

 

[Rifleman1776]

Originally posted by gerryr
<br />I guess I cheat entirely. I glue the two pieces up before I ever drill the blanks.

Mee too. []

 

[William Young]

rather than a floating center band i glue the center band to the top barrel blank before ever drilling it or turning it.
i use the long brass tubes and cut them to length on my scrollsaw to match the length of the top barrel plus the center band.
w.y.

 

[Royce Meritt]

Oh, I get it now!!!

Being somewhat new to pen turning (and sometimes being a dope) it had not occurred to me that they did not need to be "FLOATING" center bands. All I need is some longer tubes and my problem is solved. Thanks a bunch!!!