Originally posted by Rojo22
<br />I purchased one of the mandrels you described from Woodcraft, just to get by for a weekend of turning, and found it to have the exact same problem you desribed. The end of the shaft was not milled flat to the threads, and when the shaft was tightened into the morse taper, it became a floppy mess. I dont buy those mandrels anymore for that reason.
The PSI mandrel is what I use now. It is fully adjustable, and works great for turners who turn many different kits. You can adjust how long the shaft is and dont have to use spacers for different sized kits.
I was very frustrated by the weekend of turning with the type of mandrel you described above. Take a deep breath and buy an adjustable, and you will be much happier.
I couldn't disagree more.
For those who have an adjustable mandrel and like it good for you.
For anyone considering the purchase of a dedicated adjustable mandrel this is what I experienced.
I bought the Woodcraft model early in my pen turning and paid approx.$27.00 for it.
To adjust it you need two wrenches.
If you want to turn 1/2 half a pen at a time you will probably also need a tool rest that will fit between the headstock and the live center.
The two tool rests I have with the Jet and the Rikon are 6 and 8 inches respectively. So along with the dedicated collet chuck there is an increased cost for a tool rest.
The adjustable M2 adapter will only accept a 1/4" mandrel shaft. That's it no chance to put a "B" mandrel in it should you choose any kits that require them.
The alternative is the Beall or Axeminster chuck.The Beall accepts a universal coolet (er32) and there are many different collet sizes to choose from including one that will fit a "B" mandrel.
Lastly the Beall will accept up to a 3/4" collet.
The Axeminster has a profile that allows you to work on the headstock side of the work piece easiler than the Beall.
The downside is the axeminster has a capacity to accept a 5/8ths collet.
The biggest difference between the adjustable mandrel and a collet system is cost.When weighed against the versatlity of a collet chuck the adjustable mandrel The adjustable mandrel loses hands down.
I use the beall with a 3/4" collet and sleeve to drill my casings on the lathe,I use the BEall with the 3/4 incollet to drill antler and glued up blanks accurately on the lathe.
I wish someone had pointed out the shortcomings of the adjustable mandrel before I bought it.For the money I wish the Beall had a different finish so it wasn't so "rust prone" but all in all I would have rather put the $27.00 I spent on the adjustable mandrel towards the Beall.
BTW the adjustable mandrel is just as prone to rust and as far as it solving all wobbling problems any debris in the collet in it will cause the very problems you are trying to solve.
If you are just starting out turning and decide to get an adjustable madrel from any source just realize their limitations and that there are other options that will allow you to grow as to evolve in your pencrafting.
(My normal set up for pens regardless of the length is a standard madrel.Currently I have and use mandrels from Woodcraft, Berea, and PSI.I also occasionally use a 1/4" bolt from the hardware store[
])
(Don't even suggest to me a Jacobs chuck.While it is possible to use one , a look at my drill bits tells me how much the jaws chew up metal.)