Pen Mandrel

[KenB259]

Was looking through the new Kingspor catalog and they are carrying a new pen mandrel. Description notes they are imported from the UK. Looks very similar to Woodpeckers. Pricey but cheaper than Woodpeckers. Just an FYI.

 

[BULLWINKLE]

It's pricey. I use a PSI mandrel saver. It may or may not be as good but I've never had a problem with it.
I can't justify the price difference.

 

[walshjp17]

That looks similar to the Axminster Compression Pen Mandrel. It is available in the US at the Woodturning Store (https://www.thewoodturningstore.com/pen-making/pen-mandrels/) for $25 less.

 

[KenB259]

That looks similar to the Axminster Compression Pen Mandrel. It is available in the US at the Woodturning Store (https://www.thewoodturningstore.com/pen-making/pen-mandrels/) for $25 less.

Probably the exact same one.

 

[KMCloonan]

in 2021 I purchased a "Turn between Centers Mandrel" from PSI - I had been using a Mandrel Saver exclusively for years, and occasionally saw some incidents of poor concentricity. With the PSI TBD mandrel, you can only turn one item at a time - so a 2 barrel pen is two steps. No big deal. But it seems to me that my concentricity issues have become more frequent, and more pronounced. I do not over tighten the tail stock, or apply much pressure to the bushings. But I am not terribly happy with the mandrel. I may explore this colleted mandrel, or the Wood Turning Store option, to see if I see any improvement.

Thanks for bringing up this topic.

Kevin

 

[KenB259]

in 2021 I purchased a "Turn between Centers Mandrel" from PSI - I had been using a Mandrel Saver exclusively for years, and occasionally saw some incidents of poor concentricity. With the PSI TBD mandrel, you can only turn one item at a time - so a 2 barrel pen is two steps. No big deal. But it seems to me that my concentricity issues have become more frequent, and more pronounced. I do not over tighten the tail stock, or apply much pressure to the bushings. But I am not terribly happy with the mandrel. I may explore this colleted mandrel, or the Wood Turning Store option, to see if I see any improvement.

Thanks for bringing up this topic.

Kevin

I always finish up with a dead and live center, doesn't matter what method you use to get close. I just seen this at Klingspor and letting people know it was available.

 

[umbert]

Lee Valley has a nice mandrel and a cheaper then the Kingspor

Deluxe Colleted Pen Mandrel - Lee Valley Tools

www.leevalley.com