Pen Making Snag

farley · Post by **farley** » Fri Apr 01, 2011 2:06 pm

I was moving and grooving after getting my kits from Penn then discovered a problem.

the Pen Mandrel I brought won't fit in my SS chuck.

the end of the mandrel arbor is too wide for my chuck.

what do you others do? is there something in my SS collection that I am overlooking that will act as a chuck to hold the mandrel?

after looking over the thread of MBcabinetmaker, I see he has a different "chuck". shouldn't seen that before this.

TIA

The actual mandrel rod that the pens blank slip on does fit into my chuck --couldn't I just use that. It seem the taper end of the arbor is meant to fit into a lathe and it would lock the mandrel rod in place.--
So I would just not be using part of it, but the main rod would be locked into my chuck. seems like it would work. will think on it for a bit--

here's the thing I am talking about. http://www.pennstateind.com/store/PKM-FLC.html

wlhayesmfs · Post by **wlhayesmfs** » Fri Apr 01, 2011 2:39 pm

Farley, that is exactly what I did at first. Took the rod off the #2 taper and used my drill chuck. Later I got a 1/4 router chuck and the mandrel fit into that just fine. They also make a Mandrel for pen turning that fits the SS and comes with the 5/8 end so goes right onto your MKV just fine. I have one but only because I got a great deal over a hoilday when no one else was watching ebay and got a very low bid. If you check the threads you will see where this has come up before and there are lots of ideas any ways to turn pens. Have fun.

mbcabinetmaker · Post by **mbcabinetmaker** » Fri Apr 01, 2011 3:06 pm

farley wrote:I was moving and grooving after getting my kits from Penn then discovered a problem.

the Pen Mandrel I brought won't fit in my SS chuck.

the end of the mandrel arbor is too wide for my chuck.

what do you others do? is there something in my SS collection that I am overlooking that will act as a chuck to hold the mandrel?

after looking over the thread of MBcabinetmaker, I see he has a different "chuck". shouldn't seen that before this.

TIA

The actual mandrel rod that the pens blank slip on does fit into my chuck --couldn't I just use that. It seem the taper end of the arbor is meant to fit into a lathe and it would lock the mandrel rod in place.--
So I would just not be using part of it, but the main rod would be locked into my chuck. seems like it would work. will think on it for a bit--

here's the thing I am talking about. http://www.pennstateind.com/store/PKM-FLC.html

That will work just fine.

farley · Post by **farley** » Fri Apr 01, 2011 3:09 pm

thanks guys, just needed some reassurance there.

I have both a 1/4 router bit holder and drill chuck, probably use the chuck since it has a three point hold and is already on the SS from sanding tubes and drilling.

hdtran · Post by **hdtran** » Fri Apr 01, 2011 3:53 pm

farley wrote:thanks guys, just needed some reassurance there.

I have both a 1/4 router bit holder and drill chuck, probably use the chuck since it has a three point hold and is already on the SS from sanding tubes and drilling.

I have the PKM-CL, and it works just fine on the 5/8 spindle.

Yes, you can remove the mandrel from the PKM-FCL, and mount in your drill chuck, but I don't think that's as stiff as doing the PKM-CL. However, that should work OK if you take light finishing cuts after roughing to round.

pennview · Post by **pennview** » Sat Apr 02, 2011 8:53 am

Farley, try both set-ups, the router chuck and the drill chuck, as one may give better results than the other. After turning a blank round, check to see if the wood is symmetrical around the brass tube. If not, try the other set-up. On the other hand, the difference may be so slight that one can't tell the difference. It you try both, let us know which works best.