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Pen Turning
Posted: Fri Nov 14, 2008 8:40 pm
by bedef15
Does Shopsmith sell mandrels for turning pens? Or a kit for turning pens? I do not need the turning tools, just the parts that hold the blank.
Posted: Fri Nov 14, 2008 9:09 pm
by fjimp
Do yourself a big favor and visit Penn State Industries website. There are a couple of shopsmith specific items you will need to start with. First is a mandrel
http://www.pennstateind.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Search=pkm-cl&Store_Code=PSI&Screen=PROD&Product_Code=PKM-CL
The second item you will need is a 60 degree live center. I believe the following link is the right one. Unfortunately I am not certain on this part number.
http://www.pennstateind.com/store/LCENTLT2.html
The Penn State folks are very helpful and have many tools, assembly and finishing products to make pen making simple and rewarding. Good luck fjimp
Posted: Fri Nov 14, 2008 10:13 pm
by paulmcohen
On the live center make sure it is not made in China, I have had multiple bad experiences with them where the get extremely hot and burn out, sometimes warping the mandrel. One I got actually turned to be a dead center (it was so stuck when I got it the bearings would not turn at all).
If you plan on using the Shopsmith Universal Lathe Toolrest "Banjo" you will also need some kind of extender.
Posted: Fri Nov 14, 2008 10:43 pm
by RobertTaylor
shopsmith no longer offers a pen mandrel. they used to but no longer do. they do still offer a set of pen turning lathe tools. i am putting together a shopsmith pen mandrel, 7mm bushings, kits, blanks, and book to list for sale elsewhere next week.
Posted: Sat Nov 15, 2008 9:43 am
by kd6vpe
I just got a PennStateInd. Mandel it is made in Taiwan but the quality looks good. I plan to try my first pen this weekend. I will let you know how it goes if I remember.
Posted: Sat Nov 15, 2008 6:59 pm
by bedef15
Thanks all!