Closed End Pen Tool Help

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PSNCO

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Since seeing a demo on making closed end pens, my son is now wanting to start to turn some. I'm the Enabler/Financier, not the Turner

If I go with Craft Supply they require a 1/4" collet chuck. If I go with some of Rich Herrell's I need a Jacobs Chuck with a drawbar.

Can someone point/link me to a reasonably priced chuck that is correct and complete to do exactly what I need it to do to hold the closed end mandrels? I'd like it to be decent quality, but not break the bank.
 
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PSNCO said:
Since seeing a demo on making closed end pens, my son is now wanting to start to turn some. I'm the Enabler/Financier, not the Turner

If I go with Craft Supply they require a 1/4" collet chuck. If I go with some of Rich Herrell's I need a Jacobs Chuck with a drawbar.

Can someone point/link me to a reasonably priced chuck that id correct and complete tol do exactly what I need it to do to hold the closed end mandrels?
Click to expand...

The best closed end mandrels are here Arizona Silhouette: Mandrels.
To hold the mandrel a collet chuck works well Apprentice Collet Chuck | Shop Supplies | Craft Supplies USA
A 4 jaw chuck works as well and the size would depend on your lathe size, this one works great on the small bench top lathes Barracuda3 Micro Lathe Key Chuck System at Penn State Industries
on
a larger lathe you might use this Barracuda4 Lathe Chuck System at Penn State Industries
 
Mark -- Both ways work, but the run-out is lower (runs more true) with a collet chuck such as the ER 32 Collet Chuck that Craft Supply sells. I suggest that one because I have one and the run-out measures the same with that as the more expensive on from Beall.

I suspect you already have a Jacobs chuck for drilling blanks -- but on the powered side, it needs a threaded rod running through the head stock and a nut/handle to tighten the morse taper connection. That way the Jacobs chuck and taper adapter will not fall out while spinning.

ER collet chucks thread onto the head stock and do not need a "draw bar" to keep it from falling out.

Enabler for a younger turner is an honorable title -- and an important task.
 
I have a new 3/8" drill chuck and an older 1/2" drill chuck from PSI. They say they: "Accepts a 1/4-20 draw bolt."

Can I use these if I can find that draw bolt? Then, where can I get that draw bolt.
 
PSNCO said:
I have a new 3/8" drill chuck and an older 1/2" drill chuck from PSI. They say they: "Accepts a 1/4-20 draw bolt."

Can I use these if I can find that draw bolt? Then, where can I get that draw bolt.
Click to expand...

As stated below your original post. Home Depot or Lowes.
 
The hardware section at Home Depot or Lowes will have threaded rods that you can use for the drawbar. They should have some 12" lengths that would be good - if not, you can buy longer ones & cut them to length. You can use a washer & wing nut to tighten up against the head stock. I used a knurled knob from Woodcraft. I also cut & drilled a round piece of 1/2" wood to use as a spacer between the knob & my headstock.
 
If you would like to make closed end pens using a standard mandrel (no tooling to purchase) then read the two (or maybe 2) closed end pen articles on my website at Wooden Pens: Buy Handmade unique custom rattlesnake wood pens gifts fountain pen exotic wood from Red River Pens

But, you really can't have enough tools. :biggrin:
Do a good turn daily!
Don

PSNCO said:
Since seeing a demo on making closed end pens, my son is now wanting to start to turn some. I'm the Enabler/Financier, not the Turner

If I go with Craft Supply they require a 1/4" collet chuck. If I go with some of Rich Herrell's I need a Jacobs Chuck with a drawbar.

Can someone point/link me to a reasonably priced chuck that is correct and complete to do exactly what I need it to do to hold the closed end mandrels? I'd like it to be decent quality, but not break the bank.
Click to expand...
 
Mark,

Why don't you consider getting him a collet chuck set for Christmas? I have and like the one from psi.

You can also put your regular pen mandrel right in the 1/4" collet. I'm sure you'll find other uses for it once you have it.

One that comes to mind is that you can turn inexpensive to make bottle stoppers with cork or silicone inserts.
 
This is one of those deals where $$ talks and cheap parts walk. The folks that put out some top-end Youtube stuff are great and I both revere and listen to what they put out...it's literally out there for you to see. With so many options, maybe work from what you have and add as your needs increase.
 
closed end mandrel

First let me say that I haven't tried any closed end turning as yet, but I have some great projects in mind that need such things. I see you're already familiar with PSI so I would suggest doing what I plan to do soon and order their closed end mandrel that fits right into the MT and has a silicone sleeve that expands to hold different size holes for closed end turning.
 
DrDave2k said:
First let me say that I haven't tried any closed end turning as yet, but I have some great projects in mind that need such things. I see you're already familiar with PSI so I would suggest doing what I plan to do soon and order their closed end mandrel that fits right into the MT and has a silicone sleeve that expands to hold different size holes for closed end turning.
Click to expand...

The PSI closed end mandrel only works on 7mm & 8mm tubes so that limits what you can do. In my opinion the major closed end market is 10mm tubes and up (Cigar, Jr Gent II, Baron/Sedona etc).
 
Have you used the PSI closed end mandrel you just suggested PNSCO to purchase? If so, you must have liked how it performed. If not, maybe you should use if before recommending someone purchase it. There are lots of tools for pen turners. I have a couple of drawers full of junk that I used one time because the tool(s) did not perform as advertised. There are many many excellent tools for us to use and just as many not so excellent ones. I have not used the tool you recommended and I am not suggesting it is not a good tool. I do not know if it is a good tool or not. I'm not trying to be confrontational but just stating an opinion.
Do a good turn daily!
Don
DrDave2k said:
First let me say that I haven't tried any closed end turning as yet, but I have some great projects in mind that need such things. I see you're already familiar with PSI so I would suggest doing what I plan to do soon and order their closed end mandrel that fits right into the MT and has a silicone sleeve that expands to hold different size holes for closed end turning.
Click to expand...
 
DrDave2k said:
First let me say that I haven't tried any closed end turning as yet, but I have some great projects in mind that need such things. I see you're already familiar with PSI so I would suggest doing what I plan to do soon and order their closed end mandrel that fits right into the MT and has a silicone sleeve that expands to hold different size holes for closed end turning.
Click to expand...

I would suggest that you put the money you are going to spend on the PSI closed end mandrel towards the purchase of a mandrel from Arizona Silhouette. I used the PSI mandrel one time and had more trouble than I could stand. The rubber sleeve would not hold the tube, the shave was easily bent and after 15 minutes of trying to get it to hold a blank correctly I threw it in the trash can.

I had all of the mandrels from AS except the 7mm version and bought it right after tossing the other one. I couldn't be happier with the way the AS version works. I recently used it to make about a dozen closed end razors.
 
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