Bushing lifespan....

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Bushing lifespan

  • 1-5 kits

    Votes: 2 2.6%

  • 6-10 kits

    Votes: 6 7.7%

  • 11-15 kits

    Votes: 4 5.1%

  • 16-20 kits

    Votes: 8 10.3%

  • Over 20 kits

    Votes: 58 74.4%
  • Total voters
    78
Pitoon

Pitoon

Member
Joined
Oct 27, 2013
Messages
381
Location
Vicenza, Italy
Just as the title says it, on average how long do your bushings last you?

I'm pretty aggressive with my bushings. I can usually pull about 5-7 kits per set of bushings before I no longer feel they are worth using.

Curious to know the lifespan on everyone elses.

Pitoon
 
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I use undersized bushings so I never get near the bushing with the turning tools. I also generally don't get any finish on them either. I've lost count of how many pens I've done with them, but it's a lot.

Ed
 
I can do over 100 pens on one set. If you get CA on them, soak them in acetone, it won't take off any metal.

Bushings should get you close to the proper size---it is still a better idea to use a caliper and measure the components you are actually going to USE with that blank, then match them exactly (or as close as possible).

FWIW,
Ed
 
Mine have lasted for what seems like forever. Like Ed says, mine only get me close, then off they go. Drop the blank between centers and finish up with calipers... There are several pen kits I make fairly regularly that I have never even purchased bushings for...
 
Depends on the bushings, depends on the tooling used. Say I pull out the uber scary sharp chisels and the bushings will look like they were never touched; then say I pull out the angle grinder with the big stupid 36 grit flap wheel. Huge difference.

Also you can get/make bushings that would stand up to practically anything you can throw at it but cost will drastically go up.
 
Never replaced bushings. Since I got the JohnnyCNC's delrin bushing eliminator, I don't even get CA on them anymore, and I dang sure wouldn't hit one of his TBC bushings with a cutter!:eek: They are works of art.

When you start using calipers, it doesn't matter if your cheap bushings are worn down a little. They are just there to hold the tube and get you close to size.

Harry
 
I do not run my lathe tools over the bushings, so I would expect them to last forever. For finishing, I switch to Delrin cones and so I never have to clean off the metal bushings.
 
Falcon1220 said:
How are you damaging your bushings?
Click to expand...

It's not so much damaging the bushing with the chisels, but the sanding agressively is what wears down the edge a bit for me.

Could the bushings be used still, of course they could. I just don't use calipers to fit the blanks to the kits.

I do like that idea of soaking in acetone to remove any excess CA from the bushings, will definately try that when the oportunity arises.

Pitoon
 
Hi Pitoon

I always buy 2 sets of bushings for the same kit, I measure both and select the one with the biggest size variations as my sacrificial bushings for the flap disk system however, I wrap one layer of masking tape on them for extra protection, when the disk hits the masking tape, is time to replace bushings with the better ones and continue on with the hand sanding and so on.

When the sacrificial bushings are getting pretty bad, be better set will have some ware also so, I buy a new set as the better ones and use the previous better ones as the sacrificial bushing so, rotating, you get the maximum use of each set. When considering the bushings low costs Vs the speed pens can be done using the flap disc, the investment is well worth it to me...!:wink::biggrin:

Cheers
George
 
I plan for 20 kits from each set for budget purposes. I factor this cost into calculating my overall cost of making a pen for sale.

I benefit if I get more than 20.
 
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