Anyone tried this mandreL?

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angboy

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I stumbled across this website in a search I was doing and am wondering if anyone has tried these mandrels? I can't even quite grasp the difference in the two, so am wondering if people have tried them what they think of each and why one might be better?

The Better Mandrel Saver
 
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Have not seen it before. I have had good luck with the one psi sells where the shaft slides in to the tale stock. Much better than the one with the screw on end.
 
I have used the one from Penn State many times. The one you show looks like it works the same way. No stress is put on the shaft so there is no bending or nuts coming loose. It works great. There is no way I would go back to the old style.
 
i had gone thru four all had problems the shaft is hard steel the bearing is aluminum and the fuse together at a drop of a hat. it will only go into the bearing about 3/8 inch so your left to use a lot of spacers on short kits.
the second mandrel that you put under tension i found very difficult to set up, it wanted to come lose in the Morse taper very easy. didn't like them
the first one would be nice if the metal didn't fuse together.
 
I have the one from PSI. I think I paid about $16 (+ shipping) for it and have been pleased with it. :biggrin:
 
Hey Angie,

The "Better Mandrel Saver" operates on the same "principle" as TBC, (Turning Between Centers) but at a higher cost and more complex set up - i.e. spacers, shaft, end fittings, etc.


The Better Mandrel Saver uses pressure from the tail stock to hold your turning blanks securely.
Click to expand...

This is precisely the way TBC works, but with a less complex (and more accurate) setup. The more devices (mandrels, spacers etc.) used the more chances for problems.



But there is no pressure applied to the shaft because it slides into a hole drilled to the length of the tail stock live center.
Click to expand...

If no pressure is applied to the shaft, ideally, there is no need for a shaft, hence TBC. With TBC, you only need a dead drive center for the head stock, the bushings and the live center. No shaft and no spacers. Plus super quick set up and super quick take-down for inspection; and no bushings for finishing, so no stuck bushings with the finish.
 
Had one, seized to the mandrel shaft the first time I used it. The problem is that it is made from aluminum with very tight clearances when the mandrel passes through. Any rubbing at all and it heats up and seizes. Not a good design.

Jake
 
I really like my mandrel saver! If you are still using the "old" mandrel with the brass screw you have got to get one of these.You are using the tail stock to tighten and less is better until you get a feel for it. Not complicated at all but I can see where over tightening would cause failure.

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I have the PSI version and switched to a live center because the cone fits tighter into the mandrel. The hole in the PSI has to be slightly oversize to allow it to slip onto the mandrel, so you can push it sideways.:frown: TBC is my favorite for my best work, but I only have Johnny's bushings for Jr.II sizes.:rolleyes:

Harry
 
I either use TBC or the mandrel saver I got from Exotic Blanks ever since I bent the shaft on my first mandrel.

The only reason I don't TBC on every pen is that I'm still not to the point of turning without bushings as a guideline, and I haven't been able to pony up the dough for all of the TBC bushings from JCNC.

The mandrel saver you linked sounds unnescessarily complicated.
 
Mandrel saver

I have one of these , the best thing for pens, takes all the stress off the mandrel shaft
Best price is from Timberbits in Sydney , David who owns the business does very good mail order the the world market,just Google Timberbits and his site comes up straight away
Regards
Chris
 
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