Pen Turning Basics

Pete I do not know the Grizzly kit but lathes come with 1, 2, or 3 Morse tapers. You need a mandrel to match. Grizzly will likely replace the mandrel but Berea Hardwoods of Lee Valley as well as others carry them.

Yes, you have the wrong taper.

Get some blanks prepared (drilled with tubes glued in) so she can actually turn, finish and assemble something right away.

Junior

Pete,

I'm a new reader of the woodturning arts and am planning on buying a new Rikon wood mini-lathe this sunday ($219.00). I do have 20 yrs, in metalworking (mills and lathes, manual and cnc).

When working on the metalworking lathe and using a drill chuck in the tailstock that has the wrong taper, we would use a adapter sleeve. The inside of the sleeve would fit the drill chuck and the outside of the sleeve would fit the tailstock. Here's a link to some at Enco:

Not sure (never tried it before) if they would work on a wood lathe, but they should work.

Woodcraft mandrels:

Good Luck, Jack

Pete & Kathy wrote:

Thanks for the help!

I have since ordered what I think is the correct mandrel for the Jet.

I also took your advise, Junior, and bought a few prepared blanks for her.

Overnight shipping is a killer... d;^)

Pete

I'd also recommend one of the adjustable mandrels - the 1/4 inch pin can be moved in and out of the mandrel - I use one for all kinds of projects other than pens and I have made pens that are ALL wood (on the outside), and only two pieces, from tip to top. And get an anti-vibration nut (the kind with nylon in them are easy to find), they are much better to use than any of the ones that have come with my mandrels: they don't loosen up while you're turning.

Brian,

Where do you get most of your supplies? I've seen some stuff at Woodcraft and Rockler.

Any others?

Thanks for you help,

Pete

I've bought from them and others, I usually price check (including shipping) to decide where I'll purchase something. Quite often where depends on what else I'm getting - some things just aren't available at some places - and how fast I need it (local Woodcraft).

I get a lot of my supplies from Ryan at

In fact, I just got an order today ... so what am I doing at the computer??? Prompt service and discounted prices. He's a good vendor to deal with. Although he can take credit cards and PayPal, he's a small vendor and needs prompt payment to keep the wheels turning. In the last year or so I've done roughly $1,000 worth of business with him. He's pretty consistent but basically limited to the catalog and some additional turning material they don't carry. He needs to put more effort into his online catalog as very little of his wide selection is depicted there. So surf the pennstate site to see what's available, but order through Ryan for better prices. You might also want to surf to:

Anyone interested in turning pens, try the Yahoo "penturners" group. Lots of experienced pen turners willing to share what they know. Brad

=trim==