Hi Everyone,
I have seen many-o-questions about pens turning out of center. After several months turning I have finally licked this problem on my lathe, and though I would put together list of reasons why a pen might not turn true.
I hope this helps someone out there.
Please add to the list if you have something new.
1) Mandrel bent
a. Fix - losen the friction nut.
b. Fix â€" Buy a new one
c. Turn without a mandrel (My Solution)
2) Lathe head and tail stock not lined up
a. Fix â€" I need to put a small shim under a corner of my tail stock (Works like a charm)
b. Buy a better lathe with closer tolerances
3) Pen ends not square.
a. Fix â€" Make a sanding jig for sanding at prefect right angles
b. Fix â€" Invest in a good pen mill (My option)
4) Bushing not tight enough on mandrel
a. Fix â€" Don’t know haven’t had to personally deal with this one since I don’t turn on a mandrel
5) MT not fitting true
a. Fix â€" My lathe is crapy so I had to add a small piece of tape to my MT insert to compensate for the un-even fit. It works, but I need to replace the tape as it wares.
6) Wood grain uneven
a. Never encountered this issue, but heard about it.
7) Bushing not drilled in center
a. Buy new bushings
Well that is all I have â€" may your pens all be round.
- E
I have seen many-o-questions about pens turning out of center. After several months turning I have finally licked this problem on my lathe, and though I would put together list of reasons why a pen might not turn true.
I hope this helps someone out there.
Please add to the list if you have something new.
1) Mandrel bent
a. Fix - losen the friction nut.
b. Fix â€" Buy a new one
c. Turn without a mandrel (My Solution)
2) Lathe head and tail stock not lined up
a. Fix â€" I need to put a small shim under a corner of my tail stock (Works like a charm)
b. Buy a better lathe with closer tolerances
3) Pen ends not square.
a. Fix â€" Make a sanding jig for sanding at prefect right angles
b. Fix â€" Invest in a good pen mill (My option)
4) Bushing not tight enough on mandrel
a. Fix â€" Don’t know haven’t had to personally deal with this one since I don’t turn on a mandrel
5) MT not fitting true
a. Fix â€" My lathe is crapy so I had to add a small piece of tape to my MT insert to compensate for the un-even fit. It works, but I need to replace the tape as it wares.
6) Wood grain uneven
a. Never encountered this issue, but heard about it.
7) Bushing not drilled in center
a. Buy new bushings
Well that is all I have â€" may your pens all be round.
- E