Mandrel, barrel trimmer, general tools

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Xander

Member
Joined
Feb 11, 2012
Messages
373
Location
Arizona
Hi all. Just got my lathe and now I need all the other tools. I know there are a few places to get things like mandrels and barrel trimmers and presses,.... etc from but what I'd like to know is...

is there one place that has better quality ?

PSI has a kit for $86 with mandrel, trimmer, 5 pen kits, 5 pencil kits, pre-drilled blanks, glue, shellawax,... and 3 crappy chisels. Is this a good deal?

I plan to get their (PSI) 3 piece CARBIDE chisels ($47) and pen press ($39.95).

Is PSI ok or should I look elsewhere? Money is tight.

All constuctive comments appreciated. Thanks
 
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Before you spend more money on carbide tools. Try turning with the tools that come in the kit. You called them crappy, but they actually work well. I have ordered some chisels from them and found them to be very good. They sharpen well and I have turned many items with them. I buy used tools at garage sales, flea markets and they are good to grind into shapes that you want as you learn more and try different ways to turn different items. If you are not sure that you want to do this you should spend the least amount of money and try it out.
 
IMHO you don't need carbide chisels. If you go that route keep in mind that you can't sharpen carbide with a regular grinder, so add ANOTHER expensive tool to that list!

Don't buy the sales pitch that carbide never needs sharpening, it ain't true! Carbide "chips" and that's even worse than getting dull.

If you only pay $47 for THREE carbide chisels then trust me, they're CRAPPY too!
 
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Rick's post reminds me.

From what I've read, you bought the HF lathe. I have that same one, and can tell you that you'll be wanting another tool rest for it. The one that comes with it is too long to do pens one barrel at a time, and the metal is so soft that it gets all kinds of nick in it, making turning more difficult. I keep meaning to bring mine home for measurement so I can order one of Rick's. I've used one of his before, and they are well worth the money.
 
Xander said:
Hi all. Just got my lathe and now I need all the other tools. I know there are a few places to get things like mandrels and barrel trimmers and presses,.... etc from but what I'd like to know is...

is there one place that has better quality ?
Click to expand...

As far as Mandrels and barrel trimmers go, most of them are basically the same. Woodcraft has some barrel trimmers on special right now. You might check them out.

Xander said:
PSI has a kit for $86 with mandrel, trimmer, 5 pen kits, 5 pencil kits, pre-drilled blanks, glue, shellawax,... and 3 crappy chisels. Is this a good deal?
Click to expand...
IMO. Pencil kits stink. The pre-drilled blanks are a cost you don't need. Those chisels are too small. You will not use the shellawax long if you start doing a CA finish. Honestly, if I had to do it all over again, I would buy some Sierra kits and bushings and skip the slim line for a while. They are some of the hardest kits to do because the wood is so thin when you finish.

Xander said:
I plan to get their (PSI) 3 piece CARBIDE chisels ($47) and pen press ($39.95).
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I would pass on their carbide tool and their penpress. Get a 1/2 ton arbor press to put your pens together. IMO they are much easier to use. And get a carbide tool from someone on here. One tool will cost more than PSI's set, BUT you get a tool with replaceable inserts so no sharpening.

Xander said:
Is PSI ok or should I look elsewhere? Money is tight.
Click to expand...
Yes you should shop around. Check Wood-N-Whimsies | Page 1 of 1
Pen Making - Woodturners Catalog - Woodworking tools and supplies specializing in woodturning.
Pen Kits - WoodTurningz
Bear Tooth Woods - Pen Kits
Pen Making Kits | Pen Turning Supplies | Wooden Pen Blanks
http://www.exoticblanks.com/
Indy~Pen~Dance
and others.

Xander said:
All constuctive comments appreciated. Thanks
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Your welcome! :smile: And you might also check out threads for new turners. They get into a bunch of this info too.
 
I used to use barrel trimmers but found them a little unwieldy. On a tip I started using a 3/4" Forstner bit instead and have been very happy with it. The only caveat is that you'd probably want to use a pen drilling jig that keeps the piece at a perfect 90 degrees to make up for the fact that a Forstner bit doesn't have a sleeve attachment to guide it to the piece at a right angle. Now I don't have to buy additional barrel trimmer attachments each time I add a new pen style to my arsenal, nor do I have to awkwardly hone the tiny blades on the barrel trimmer.
 
Xander Where in Arizona you from? I am up North. I would not buy a pen press I use my lathe I have some sugar maple scraps I formed to fit my chuck and tail and use the tail stock screw to push the parts togeather. Just my 2 cents /william
 
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