Bottle stopper mandrel specs.....

[austing458]

I am planning on making a few bottle stoppers for Christmas and am going to make the mandrel for my lathe and am wondering if anyone can give me the specs for it....
mainly the big diameter before the threads and the length of the threads...
Thanks

 

[JimMc7]

Photo shows requested dimensions on the stopper mandrel I purchased from Ruth Niles...

Edit to add: FWIW, I measured the large diameter of one of Ruth's #301 SS stoppers as 0.81".

 

[dogcatcher]

I use about a 2" long 3/8" bolt with the head cut off in drill chuck with a draw bar. Thread length is pretty standard on the bolts. I drill my blank about 1" deep with a 19/64" bit, then thread with a tap. When turning I do most of it using the tailstock as support and at the last I part off the end.

If turning soft woods, like cedar I usually drizzle a little CA glue on the tapped threads to keep them from tearing out. Just be sure the glue is cured, or you will have a bolt with no head stuck in the blank.

 

[austing458]

thanks guys...

cool...i think ill make one tommorow :good:
btw jim, is that also a tap for the threads built in cause that would be a great idea.....

 

[JimMc7]

cool...i think ill make one tommorow :good:
btw jim, is that also a tap for the threads built in cause that would be a great idea.....

Yes -- Ruth's mandrel has a built-in tap -- description on this page:

http://www.torne-lignum.com/stoppers.html

 

[gregs4163]

Just cut the head off of a standard 1/2" dia shoulder screw, and then chuck it in a collet chuck instant precision bottle stopper mandrel!

(Under $3 from Reid Supply)

http://www.reidsupply.com/Detail.aspx?itm=HK-08080