Pin Mandrel or Expanding Mandrel?

[GrantH]

Their has been mention that a expanding mandrel may be best for making closed end pens, but I want to get more info on this. I plan on making closed end pens soon, be it single or double closed ends.

I can get the pin mandrels from a member on the site, or the expanding from AZ Silhouette. I am more curious about the expanding mandrels and if multiple pens can be made off of each size, and if not...is there really a disadvantage to the pin mandrel?

 

[alphageek]

I have one of each... Both work just fine.

The expanding ones are for one size tube only - they really only expand enough to lock things in place, not enough for a variety of tubes. I personally like the pin madrel at the moment, but I havn't used either a TON yet.... the only disadvantage that I can think of to the pin one is loosing the pin. But its easier (for me) to remove the blank with the pin one than it is with the expanding mandrel which needs to be removed from the chuck and loosened.