Mandrels vs. Chucks.

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FireproofInc

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Someone school me on this debate. Which is better? How does a Beall chuck work? I'm new round these parts.

I already bent my mandrel a bit...I'm sure that I can bend it back, but if there is a better way than a mandrel, I'd love to know about it.

Thanks!
 
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Well, I have started to turn mine with a dead center as a drive and setting the bushings between centers. You do have to turn one half at a time, but any out of round has pretty much stopped.

That said, a Beall chuck is much better than all the morse taper mandrels
 
Be careful using - or trying to use - a bent mandrel. Any bending is quite often very pronounced when it is spinning and that shows up in a somewhat oval turning (thats bad). A new madrel will be in your future I'm sure. The bent one can be used in a collet but will only allow the turning of one half of the pen blank. A good set of various sized collets and holder can set you back around $70 or so. [:)]
 
The Beall holds the drive side of the mandrel perfectly center. With a MT2, there can be a little play in the center, you have to keep it very clean and it can shift slightly. I turned pens for 3 years before getting the Beall and have not regretted paying for it one cent.
 
I have, uh, I mean I use a short rod[:D]. Adjustable mandrel and only turn one barrel at a time. No more out of roundness persay. Would like to get a Beal collet chuck though.
 
Has anyone used both the 1/4" #2MT compression collet from Little Machine Shop and the Beal? I use the collet from LMS and it runs true but never tried a Beal.
 
Tony,
Collet chucks are the way to go,the next step is to buy a live centre with straight removable centre,remove the centre and turn a brass insert a snug fit hole to recess the mandrel 3/8 to 1/2 an inch.Then turning one half a pen at a time using the tail stock to carefully tension the mandrel.When you shorten by design or accident the blank use washers to take up the slack.You can make brass inserts to take each size of mandrel.My way,suits me end of wobble etc.

Peter
 
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