Bird House Mandrels

[mark james]

For those who do not have 4 jaw chucks but want to try making the bird houses, try this!

 

[Edgar]

Great timing!
I want to try some birdhouses this weekend & this is exactly what I need!
Thanks

 

[shastastan]

I bought one of Nish's birdhouse kits a few years ago and finally made it for last Christmas. Luckily I kept the plans because that particular kit has been discontinued. His plan calls for mandrels also. I thought about making them but decided to use a 5/8" collet chuck and piece of 5/8" dowel. It's working fine so far. I'm making them from my own scraps. There's an advantage to buying the kits with the wood though.

 

[robutacion]

For those who do not have 4 jaw chucks but want to try making the bird houses, try this!

Very smart Mr....!:wink::biggrin:

I tend to call it "sacrificial bits of wood", its absolutely amazing what a sacrificial piece of wood, allow one to do, the limitations are endless, really...!:wink::biggrin:

Thank you for sharing it with others...!

Cheers
George

 

[dogcatcher]

Turn a blank between centers, turn one end down to 3/4", make this about 2" long. Then mount that in your collet chuck, and make the mandrel. It will always be on center and reusable until you lose it.

No collet chuck? Take a 3" lag bolt and screw it in one end, then cut the head off and chuck it into your drill chuck in the headstock. Turn he blank round between centers and make the mandrel on the end. The bad part about this one is you need a draw bar if you do not use your tailstock.