Closed End mandrel idea

davinci27 · 12-14-2008, 11:53 PM

I may not be the first to post this, but I haven't seen it so I thought I would put it up here.

So I wanted to make a closed end pen, but I didn't want to buy a bunch of closed end mandrels, so I had an idea to make some shims. I purchased a 7mm mandrel from Arizona Silhouette, then I glued up a scrap piece of wood to a standard 7mm tube. I then turned the blank down to the same diameter as the pen kit I wanted to use. My first one was a Jr Gent. After I had the blank turned down to fit inside the tube, I split it in half with the band saw. I then had a set of shims I could use with the 7mm mandrel.

--Edit For More Details--

So I added some more pictures. Basically you start buy gluing up and turning a blank into a sleeve so that it just fits inside the tube you are using for the closed end. I turned until I was close, then finished the sleeve to size with sand paper. You also want to trim the sleeve so it is shorter than the actual tube you will be using for the closed end pen.

Next you split the sleeve in half. I used a bandsaw to do this, but be careful you've got to get those fingers pretty close to the blade. It would be much safer to use a scrap of wood and make a jig to hold the sleeve.

Now you should have 2 shims. You are ready to put everything together. first take your standard bushing, flip it around and slide it on the mandrel. Next put the shims on the mandrel. Make sure the shims are put together so they match the split in the mandrel. When the mandrel expands, you want the shims to be able to spread apart. Then you just slide it all together.

If this still isn't clear, let me know. These shims were just my initial test. I'm going to make new set sometime in the next few days, and I can take pictures along the way to put together a more complete tutorial.

--End Edit For More Details--

The nice thing about using the shims and the 7mm mandrel is I can flip my bushings around and continue to use them as well. So now I have one mandrel that i can use with any kit. You can see my first closed end using this idea in the show off your pens section.

http://www.penturners.org/forum/showthread.php?t=40198

mwildes · 12-15-2008, 05:27 AM

Can you post a few pics of your mandrel idea? Thanx!

hewunch · 12-15-2008, 06:48 AM

2nd on the pictures. You had me until the "shims" and "splitting it in half".

davinci27 · 12-15-2008, 07:36 AM

Sure thing, I'll take some photos tonight and post them.

alphageek · 12-15-2008, 02:16 PM

That is a COOL idea! I have that mandrel and now have something new to try!!!!

COOL.. Looking forward to the pictures too, though.

davinci27 · 12-16-2008, 08:23 AM

I added some pictures and some more details to the original post.

Paul in OKC · 12-16-2008, 10:22 AM

Nice, and a great idea! Nice pen, too.

WoodenDragon · 12-16-2008, 04:23 PM

Thats pretty slick! Nice job and thanks for sharing!

mwildes · 12-16-2008, 05:23 PM

Totally awesome, thanks for the pics!

VisExp · 12-16-2008, 05:44 PM

That's a great idea Ben. I have a closed end mandrel for Baron/Sedona. I might see if I can adapt it for the cap end, and also for both ends of a Jr. Gent.

I was thinking, instead of cutting the shim in half, of building a jig to allow me to cut only one side of it on my table saw. The advantage would be not having two halves of a shim to mess with and possibly lose.

12-14-2008, 11:53 PM	#1
davinci27 Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Franklin, GA Posts: 495 Photos: 9	Closed End mandrel idea - Photos Added I may not be the first to post this, but I haven't seen it so I thought I would put it up here. So I wanted to make a closed end pen, but I didn't want to buy a bunch of closed end mandrels, so I had an idea to make some shims. I purchased a 7mm mandrel from Arizona Silhouette, then I glued up a scrap piece of wood to a standard 7mm tube. I then turned the blank down to the same diameter as the pen kit I wanted to use. My first one was a Jr Gent. After I had the blank turned down to fit inside the tube, I split it in half with the band saw. I then had a set of shims I could use with the 7mm mandrel. --Edit For More Details-- So I added some more pictures. Basically you start buy gluing up and turning a blank into a sleeve so that it just fits inside the tube you are using for the closed end. I turned until I was close, then finished the sleeve to size with sand paper. You also want to trim the sleeve so it is shorter than the actual tube you will be using for the closed end pen. Next you split the sleeve in half. I used a bandsaw to do this, but be careful you've got to get those fingers pretty close to the blade. It would be much safer to use a scrap of wood and make a jig to hold the sleeve. Now you should have 2 shims. You are ready to put everything together. first take your standard bushing, flip it around and slide it on the mandrel. Next put the shims on the mandrel. Make sure the shims are put together so they match the split in the mandrel. When the mandrel expands, you want the shims to be able to spread apart. Then you just slide it all together. If this still isn't clear, let me know. These shims were just my initial test. I'm going to make new set sometime in the next few days, and I can take pictures along the way to put together a more complete tutorial. --End Edit For More Details-- The nice thing about using the shims and the 7mm mandrel is I can flip my bushings around and continue to use them as well. So now I have one mandrel that i can use with any kit. You can see my first closed end using this idea in the show off your pens section. http://www.penturners.org/forum/showthread.php?t=40198 Attached Thumbnails __________________ Ben Franklin, GA www.artturned.com - Coming not quite so soon "I've read about the bog people before, but I'm not sure they would make very good pens." Last edited by davinci27; 12-16-2008 at 08:22 AM.

12-15-2008, 05:27 AM	#2
mwildes Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Georgia, USA. Posts: 35 Photos: 0	Can you post a few pics of your mandrel idea? Thanx! __________________ Marty MJ Designs A Christian Family Business Georgia, USA mjdesigns.info Jesus Christ conquers. "Our Lord has fought; He has won control of the field of battle, on which He has planted His flag and pitched His tent." - Pope Sixtus V

12-15-2008, 06:48 AM	#3
hewunch Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Ware Shoals, SC Posts: 2,227 Photos: 3	2nd on the pictures. You had me until the "shims" and "splitting it in half". __________________ If your outgo is greater than your income then your upkeep will be your downfall. 2nd Place Freestyle Pen Maker 2010 Delrin Bushings and Sleeves For Many Popular Kits http://www.pensbyhans.com/Bushings.html

12-15-2008, 07:36 AM	#4
davinci27 Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Franklin, GA Posts: 495 Photos: 9	Sure thing, I'll take some photos tonight and post them. __________________ Ben Franklin, GA www.artturned.com - Coming not quite so soon "I've read about the bog people before, but I'm not sure they would make very good pens."

12-15-2008, 02:16 PM	#5
alphageek Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Green Bay, WI, USA. Posts: 1,299 Photos: 6	That is a COOL idea! I have that mandrel and now have something new to try!!!! COOL.. Looking forward to the pictures too, though. __________________ http://www.creativependesign.com

12-16-2008, 08:23 AM	#6
davinci27 Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Franklin, GA Posts: 495 Photos: 9	I added some pictures and some more details to the original post. __________________ Ben Franklin, GA www.artturned.com - Coming not quite so soon "I've read about the bog people before, but I'm not sure they would make very good pens."

12-16-2008, 10:22 AM	#7
Paul in OKC Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Oklahoma City, OK, USA. Posts: 1,880 Photos: 5	Nice, and a great idea! Nice pen, too. __________________ Paul in OKC, OK If you meet me and forget me, you have lost nothing. If you meet Jesus Christ and forget Him, you have lost everything. "When wealth is lost, nothing is lost; when health is lost, something is lost; when character is lost, all is lost." Billy Graham “Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety.” Benjamin Franklin

12-16-2008, 04:23 PM	#8
WoodenDragon Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: West Bend, WI Posts: 124 Photos: 0	Thats pretty slick! Nice job and thanks for sharing! __________________ Mike Jakubowski - West Bend, WI How to Become Immortal: Read this signature tomorrow and follow its advice.

12-16-2008, 05:23 PM	#9
mwildes Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Georgia, USA. Posts: 35 Photos: 0	Totally awesome, thanks for the pics! __________________ Marty MJ Designs A Christian Family Business Georgia, USA mjdesigns.info Jesus Christ conquers. "Our Lord has fought; He has won control of the field of battle, on which He has planted His flag and pitched His tent." - Pope Sixtus V

12-16-2008, 05:44 PM	#10
VisExp Library Manager Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Palm Coast, FL, USA. Posts: 2,739 Photos: 157	That's a great idea Ben. I have a closed end mandrel for Baron/Sedona. I might see if I can adapt it for the cap end, and also for both ends of a Jr. Gent. I was thinking, instead of cutting the shim in half, of building a jig to allow me to cut only one side of it on my table saw. The advantage would be not having two halves of a shim to mess with and possibly lose. __________________ Keith Syzygy Pens * My Blog * Zambezi Exotics "When you come to the edge of all the light you know, and are about to step off into the darkness of the unknown, faith is knowing one of two things will happen: there will be something solid to stand on, or you will be taught how to fly."

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