Greetings from Nebraska - If you have a 60-degree live and dead center, you can turn pens without a mandrel using the TBC or Turn Between Centers method. Many swear by it. Personally though I typically use a mandrel saver package, essentially a hollow live center and a collet based drive center with a piece of "C" or "D" drill rod as the mandrel. I use the Drill Rod because it can be replaced with little expense (about $2/foot). In any setup there is a lot of latitude and a lot goes to personal preference, practice, and comfort level. Good luck and in most cases, doing small turnings like pens and bottle stoppers can be a very rewarding experience. - Dave
