Mandrel / Live Center Question

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BDKS

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I am considering getting the starter set from PSI that includes the mandrel.
http://www.pennstateind.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Store_Code=PSI&Screen=PROD&Product_Code=PKSTART1F

PKM-FLC.jpg


If I understand correctly from a video I saw this requires a live tailstock center? Does anyone have experience with the one offered below?

http://www.pennstateind.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Store_Code=PSI&Screen=PROD&Product_Code=LCENTLT2

LCENTLT2.jpg


Thanks for the advice. I am one step closer to making woodchips. :D

Bobby
 
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Yes, that is the tailstock I use. I like it. I got mine from Amazon it's cheaper there but be careful and make sure you compare part numbers on Amazon before you order. They have one that shows a picture of a 60 degree center but it's not.
 
Thats the mandral I use - I like it alot. Its very easy to adjust to different pen kits or to do only 1/2 at a time. A 60 degree center is probably a good idea. I'm using the stock live center that came with my lathe, and can see that its not perfect.
 
Originally posted by dalemcginnis
<br />Yes, that is the tailstock I use. I like it. I got mine from Amazon it's cheaper there but be careful and make sure you compare part numbers on Amazon before you order. They have one that shows a picture of a 60 degree center but it's not.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the heads-up. I saw that issue on amazon. I went there looking for cheaper mandrel and live center. I plan on buying direct from PSI to save on shipping from two different places.

Bobby
 
I use both of those PSI parts, when I'm not turning Sierras between centers on Johnnycnc's super bushings. I bought a spare shaft at the same time I ordered the mandrel, just in case I bent the original. In the three months I've been butchering nice pen blanks, I haven't ruined the shaft. Just snug up the tailstock, then the knurled nut, in that order. Don't horse either one down very hard.
 
For what it's worth, here is my input. The PSI mandrel seems to run smaller than the CSUSA and Berea ones. Before you go with a mandrel, why don't you give the dead center / live center a try? A dead center is $5.00 to $10.00 bucks and can be used to apply CA if you still want to turn on a mandrel. I use only about 25% custom bushings, but have slowly been making new ones when time allows. I have no reason to go back to the mandrel after seeing how much better my pens come out between center. Cheap money just to give it a try. Johnnycnc can even sell you the dead center, but his slimline bushing set and give it a try!
 
I dittto what Lee says about getting it from johnnycnc, I purchased the live and dead center and assorted kit bushings from him and it makes things alot easier.

Mike
 
Listen to these boys about the dead and live center.
Turning a pen this way is so much better than a mandrel.while I still have some problems with a slight out of round at the nib(I am a perfectionist) when it comes to a smooth transitionn between the nib and whatever material i use.
Turning between centers and custom made bushings with 60 degree female centers that match 60 degree dead and live centers has cured
90 percent of my headaches.
And in the long run with all the mandrels and live centers that I bought to cure my out of round pens it is a wise financial decision.
Just my 2 cents.
Thanks Lee and Johnny.


Good luck Bobby.
 
I have the live center offered at PSI. It works well for me.
I have not yet converted to between center turning yet though.
Most that convert swear by it!
If you read the customer reviews mine is at the top.[:I]
 
Does anyone have a link with photos for turning between center? I seem to recall seeing that. I tried a few different searches but must not have the correct wording.

Thanks

Bobby
 
Bobby, Hank Lee has one that was on the front page. You can find it here. He made his own center, but the idea is the same. http://content.penturners.org/articles/2007/Dead_Center.pdf
 
I had bad luck with mandrel (mine siezed after a short time) and other mandrels. I turn between centers now for anything but the smaller pens and highly recommend that route like the others have. I use the PSI live center that you have in that pic above and a dead center but like Lee's idea better since it would add a little extra space between the head stock and the pen barrel.
 
Just to clarify, the drill chuck / home-made dead center was Hank Lee's design, not mine..

Dave, is that the new banjo??? I don't see any paint on it yet! [;)]

Originally posted by Brewmeister35
<br />I had bad luck with mandrel (mine siezed after a short time) and other mandrels. I turn between centers now for anything but the smaller pens and highly recommend that route like the others have. I use the PSI live center that you have in that pic above and a dead center but like Lee's idea better since it would add a little extra space between the head stock and the pen barrel.
Click to expand...
 
When I decided to start turning pens a couple of months ago I was looking at a kit from Rockler and getting a kit put together at Arizona Silhouette. I purchased the kit at Rockler, however in hindsight I should have purchased it from Arizona Silhouette.

My reasons are as follows:
1) Rockler doesn't include MicroMesh and your going to need it.

2) The pen mill at Arizona Silhouette includes several pilots and is 3/4" diameter, the one in the Rockler kit is 1/2" diameter and only has a 7mm pilot.

In addition, whoever I spoke with at Arizona Silhouette knew a lot more about pen turning than the salesman at Rockler.

In the long run it would have been less expensive to purchase it from Arizona Silhouette.
 
Ok, that's it... mail it back! I have some gray powdercoat now, I will toss a finish coat on it and then mail it back to you. [:o)]



Originally posted by CHICAGOHAND
<br />Ya know I knew it was just a matter of time before you caught me.
That is the last time I invite anyone here into my shop.[:)]
Click to expand...
 
Thanks for all the advice. I went with the mandrel kit for now. The reason is having both pieces on the lathe at the same time will help me visualize the finished product. It will also help eliminate the errors possible when different sized bushings are used on the two parts of a pen. I most likely will upgrade in the near future. Also the woodworking show is coming up in a few weeks. I think my credit card is going to start smoking... [:D]

Bobby
 
If you're going to use an adjustable mandrel, I highly recommend the one from Arizona Silhouette that uses a single Allen screw instead of two gigantic wrenches to adjust. I have both types of mandrels, and the PSI one is collecting dust on my shelf. I've purchased both the 'A' and 'B' mandrels from Bill in MT2, and the machining on them is outstanding. Very precise and clean. I took one of them into Woodcraft when I returned my Jet mini (with the MT wobble issue), and they all remarked about the quality of the machining. They're only about $5 more than the clutzy PSI ones, and worth that and more.

I'm actually going to go shopping for a dead center right now. I've heard enough about the mandrel-less technique to give it a shot. I typically only turn one blank at a time on any mandrel anyways, so it's not like I'm losing convenience.
 
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