Help! - PSI Big Grabber Mandrel?

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egnald

egnald

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Hello all:

A couple of days ago I started down the Closed End pen path. So far I have used a simple "Pin Chuck" for turning them; however, I just read a little about the PSI Big Grabber Mandrel. I have one in my shopping cart along with some of the optional accessories, but before I punch up "Check Out" I thought I would ask the IAP community for their comments regarding the Big Grabber.

It sounds like it should work well and should overcome some of the difficulties I've encountered with a Pin Chuck. Namely, the motion of sanding with the grain tends to want to pull the blank off of the chuck. Since the Big Grabber uses a bladder I would assume it grips the tube and holds it both radially for turning as well as laterally for sanding.

Comments please. (especially from those who have one of these).

Regards,
Dave
 
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I've been having to do some Macgyvering because we don't have all the tools. I've figured out using a Jacobs Chuck(on the headstock) with a punch that fits snuggly in the tube (and wrapping a bit of painters tape on the punch) creates a crude jamb chuck that allows for sanding.

I have to give credit to itsvirgil, his article mentions using a sort of jamb chuck, we improvised.
 
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They also just came out with a whole new system for closed end projects including pens. It looks like it would quite well.
 
Dave, it's called the handle anything chuck system.
 

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An image of how it's set up, it's not ideal (not the proper tool) but works in a pinch.
 

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I love my Big Grabber! It's solid as a rock as long as you use it right. Use a tailstock for support while shaping the length of the blank. Save the end of the blank for last and use a skew to shape with pressure applied toward the headstock so you don't work the morse taper lose (a good seating at the beginning is usually enough, but it's best to play it safe). I will admit, figuring out the order of operations to get a blank locked into place can seem confusing, but it 100% makes sense when you figure it out. If you end up buy one and need assistance, let me know!

I started using it to make closed end kits, but I've continued to use it for all of my kitless pens now. Here is one on the lathe as I type...
IMG_3202.jpg


I've enjoyed it so much, I even bought the regular "Grabber" (when those were still being sold) so that I could make a full range of pen sizes.
 
hokie said:
I love my Big Grabber! It's solid as a rock as long as you use it right. Use a tailstock for support while shaping the length of the blank. Save the end of the blank for last and use a skew to shape with pressure applied toward the headstock so you don't work the morse taper lose (a good seating at the beginning is usually enough, but it's best to play it safe). I will admit, figuring out the order of operations to get a blank locked into place can seem confusing, but it 100% makes sense when you figure it out. If you end up buy one and need assistance, let me know!

I started using it to make closed end kits, but I've continued to use it for all of my kitless pens now. Here is one on the lathe as I type...
View attachment 356974

I've enjoyed it so much, I even bought the regular "Grabber" (when those were still being sold) so that I could make a full range of pen sizes.
Click to expand...
I have had the original 7mm/8mm Grabber for a while as well. - Dave
 
As I was looking to see what you were talking about, Dave, I ran across Craft Supplies closed end mandrel.

Is anyone using this? Seems pretty easy since you can mount with the kit bushings.

I'll be interested to hear what you think after you've used the new mandrel, Dave.

 
derekdd said:
As I was looking to see what you were talking about, Dave, I ran across Craft Supplies closed end mandrel.

Is anyone using this? Seems pretty easy since you can mount with the kit bushings.

I'll be interested to hear what you think after you've used the new mandrel, Dave.

Click to expand...
I have this for 10.5mm tubes and it is what I used. My only fault with it is that it only grips the blank radially, so when I sand laterally, it wants to slip off of the mandrel. All in all, it worked pretty good.
Dave
 
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