Do all bushings work on all mandrels?

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jknight

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Simi Valley, CA
I am just getting started in pen turning, and I got a new lathe today for Christmas! I also got some other goodies to get started, but apparently PSI was out of mandrels so I did not get one. I did get pen kits with bushings from PSI. Do other mandrels work with these bushings, or do I need PSI? They don't even open until the 3rd, and I don't want to wait that long to get started.
 
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As long as it is a proper MT for your lathe, the mandrel SHOULD work. With that said, there is what is known as mandrel A and B. The majority of mandrels are A style meaning the 1/4". Whether it's from PSI, Woodcraft, Rockler or any of the other on line suppliers. For faster service, I would recommend woodnwhimsies.com. PSI items with quicker customer service.
 
It may be too soon to mention this but if you learn to turn between centers you can eliminate the mandrel and a lot of out of round issues. Congrats on the new lathe.
 
jknight said:
I am just getting started in pen turning, and I got a new lathe today for Christmas! I also got some other goodies to get started, but apparently PSI was out of mandrels so I did not get one. I did get pen kits with bushings from PSI. Do other mandrels work with these bushings, or do I need PSI? They don't even open until the 3rd, and I don't want to wait that long to get started.
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The short answer is yes, the longer answer is maybe. PSI mandrels are nominally the same size as other mandrels, but in practice, the Woodcraft mandrels are a bit larger than the same mandrel from PSI. This is likely due not to a difference in size, but a difference in tolerances. If you use woodcraft mandrel with PSI bushings, you may find them a tight fit. Woodcraft bushings on a PSI mandrel are likely to be a bit sloppy.

PS I like to be personable with the people I am chatting with.... My name is Randy Smith, You are??
 
Sorry, my name is Jeff Knight. Hi all! Yea I looked into mandrel less, but for now, I think I will use a mandrel since it is most common, and I think it will be easier for a beginner. I had heard that woodcraft mandrel would not fit well, so what you says matches that. I ordered one from woodnwhimsies, so I think I am set there.
 
Yo -- Randy has it right -- the mandrels are supposed to be a "D" drill size --0.246 for the standard 7 mm stuff (there is also a "B" 8 mm mandrel).

Woodcraft is selling Berea products and they will likely be a bit different in tolerances. Probably not enouth difference to cause big problems, but it helps to be extra sure that the ends on the pen blanks are square and well mated with the bushings.

A bunch of folks here have moved to using a dead center and live center with bushings to do one pen section at a time. There is an article in the library -- You will hear it called mandrelless turning or turning between centers. I do both, but tend to do without the mandrels on my better pens.

And most do not rely on the bushings but rather measure fittings and match with a calipers. Bushings are approximate, but a good crutch to get started. Sometimes they are right on - but not always.
 
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The answer is NO.
If you purchase from PSI or a psi reseller then you will be safe.
However, If you decide to buy from Berea or some who are Berea resellers, then you need to look carefully at the bushings, because as was stated earlier, there is an "a" size and a larger "b" size mandrel.

Your best bet when shopping from other than psi is to either ask if they are for the"7 mm" size mandrell, or look at the description to see if it is.

Once again, Berea has two sizes of mandrels
 
I got both woodcraft and PSI bushings for my shopsmith mandrel.
We on IAP like to know where our members are from. jknight can you put your city and state in your profile?
 
Several years ago mandrel diameter for Berea, Craft Supplies, and PSI posted here.

PSI had the thinest mandrel, next came Craft Supplies, then Berea's A & B.

I cannot get CS or PSI bushings on Berea's A mandrel without filing.

Have had no problems with CS bushings on a PSI mandrel.
 
Thanks again for all the info. I updated my profile so I am not so annonymous :)

I would like to try the turning without a mandrel, but for now will use a mandrel until I get a bit better.

I ordered a PSI mandrel from woodnwhimsies.com, so I should be fine there. - Jeff
 
jknight said:
Sorry, my name is Jeff Knight. Hi all! Yea I looked into mandrel less, but for now, I think I will use a mandrel since it is most common, and I think it will be easier for a beginner. I had heard that woodcraft mandrel would not fit well, so what you says matches that. I ordered one from woodnwhimsies, so I think I am set there.
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Welcome Jeff; A mandrel works and is easy to use. The suggestions in this thread are good ones.
 
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