Shopsmith Forums

]I was told the ss live center 505602 was not a good live center for pen turning? Has any one had any experience with this? Any thoughts?
Thanks in advance, wlg64
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wlg64 wrote:]I was told the ss live center 505602 was not a good live center for pen turning? Has any one had any experience with this? Any thoughts?
Thanks in advance, wlg64
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I know that many may disagree...but I've been using the live center for turning pens since starting out in this hobby...longer than I care to admit to.

I have a generic mandrel that chucks into the drill chuck also.

Yes, it would be nice to have a fancy mandrel and 60 degree live center, but I'd rather spend the money on kits and etc...

Just my 2¢

Geo

When I first started turning pens about 8 years ago All I had was the live center that came with my MKV and the mandrel that I put in the drill chuck. It wasn't until about a year ago I purchased the mandrel saver from Penn State and have been using that ever since. So I also went with what I had available and not what everyone said I needed to turn nice pens. Just after I collected more from pen sales did I invest in more tools. Now I have the SS pen mandrel and several other nice goodies but are not needed to turn quality pens.
Hope this helps.

wlg64 wrote:]I was told the ss live center 505602 was not a good live center for pen turning? Has any one had any experience with this? Any thoughts?
Thanks in advance, wlg64
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I use my SS Live Center all the time for pen-turning. The formerly sharp tip has been slightly rounded over with sandpaper or something a few years ago, so it now mates solidly with the opening in the threaded mandrel.

rkh2 wrote:I purchased my mandrel with the adaptor for SS from PennState. Attaching a couple of pictures what it looks like. This is a 7mm one for slimline pens. Excuse the rust on it, as I use it for both wood and acrylic and you use wet sanding pads for acrylic, thus the cause of the rust. I better clean it up before showing it in a photo again. Hope this info helps you.

I recommend changing that live center for a 60 degree live center or a mandrel saver. The 60 degree live center is designed for metal to metal contact where the SS Live center is not.

rkh2 wrote:I bought mine from pen state however other places have them. I attached a link that shows one that will fit a SS from another site. As for starter kits, I purchased one when I started pen turning and I think it was worthwhile, however I prefer my chisels from Sorby that I use on spindle turning for pen turning as well. I use the gouge just to starting rounding the blank, and then I am more comfortable using a skew, which to me gets the blank smoother faster and requires minimal sanding.

http://woodenpost.com/products/turning_supplies.htm

I want to get into pen making also, however, I have observed on my shopsmith that my lathe tool rest is too big. I know shopsmith must have the correct size for pen making. Can you advise me of what kind you have by part number?

Your assistance is well appreciated.

Do you know what tool rest I will need on my lathe (shopsmith) in order to use it for pen making?

Sarge;
Use the SS 4" lathe tool rest #555314. About $25 from SS. By the way I think that the 60 deg live center is the better choice. I believe that the mandrels are drilled open at the tailstock end with a standard twist drill and that it fits the 60 deg point better. Just one old guy's opinion.
Bill V

[quote="wa2crk"]Sarge]

Bill I agree good advice on both points. Jim

x2
Although I had a second standard tool rest that I had cut down to 4" I'm now looking to build (or buy) a 1" and a 2" rest for working really small pieces.