Shopsmith Forums

I've been using my Shopsmith 510 for a year or more for odd jobs. But I'm ready to try some pen turning. With my 510 came a Nova G3 chuck. Is it possible to do pen turning from stock mounted in the Nova pin jaws (and centerbore from a tailpiece mounted drill chuck) or is something like the Penn State Industries 5/8" mandrel and mandrel saver required? Any and all advice would be appreciated.

Wing
I would suggest getting the mandrel from Penn State. Turning a pen on the G3 is not feasible because you have to turn down to the end of the pen blank to complete the pen. I am not a fan of the mandrel saver. Just avoid putting too much pressure on the tailstock to avoid bowing the mandrel. A live tailstock center is really required. If you have the SS 1/4" router bit arbor it can be used to hold the mandrel. The Nova chuck is a very fine chuck and is best used for bowl turning. Be Careful, turning can be very addictive.
Bill V

I agree the Penn State mandrel is the way to go. RJB woodturner on youtube has a 3 part series on how to turn an ink pen that is very informative. The site is: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HZShe5ntDJY
Each pen turned is a learning experience in one way or another. And the results can be something to behold. Your family and friends will be amazed and impressed. Good luck and have fun.
Regards,
Dwight

Here's a link to a thread about turning pens between centers - no mandrel, no sizing bushings.

http://www.shopsmith.com/ss_forum/begin ... 13284.html

Mike

I have the Shopsmith live tailstock center. Will that work with the Penn State mandrel?

highwing182 wrote:I have the Shopsmith live tailstock center. Will that work with the Penn State mandrel?

Yes, but I recommend the mandrel saver, especially for someone just starting out. Also, the bushings for the kit you plan to make and a barrel trimmer will be a big help in getting a good fit between the barrel and metal parts.

Ken

I have the Penn State mandrel and use it with the live center. Barrel trimmer gives you the best results for fit. Get a barrel trimmer that matches the tube diameter of the pen kit or one that has changeable shafts or sleeves. For most of the pen kits in the PSI catalog, you can get the bushings as part of a "package" with some number of pen kits, so you essentially get the bushings for free.

kenbu wrote:

highwing182 wrote:I have the Shopsmith live tailstock center. Will that work with the Penn State mandrel?

Yes, but I recommend the mandrel saver, especially for someone just starting out. Also, the bushings for the kit you plan to make and a barrel trimmer will be a big help in getting a good fit between the barrel and metal parts.

Ken

I disagree. I won't say that it will not work, but I will say that it will not work properly. The Shopsmith live center should NOT be used for pen turning. You need to use a sixty degree machinist style live center with any pen mandrel or the "mandrel saver" as suggested. The Shopsmith live center has a long narrow point that does not fit the mandrel. You will most likely have "out of round" pens using the Shopsmith live center, I also do not recommend barrel trimmers for anything other than slimline pens. They are expensive and dull quickly. Blow out a $45.00 laser cut blank and you will wish that you bought Pennstates "Blank squaring jig" or made your own to use with the disk sander. The jig actually costs less than the barrel trimmer. After all you do use a Shopsmith, Bob

A few from 2 weeks ago

djr wrote:

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A few from 2 weeks ago

Very nice. I'm sure they kept you busy for a while.