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Post by jamesgrant on Dec 5, 2007 16:34:36 GMT
Do you need a mandrel to turn a pen from a blank or can you do it without a mandrel? Thanks
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Post by cbrsyd on Dec 6, 2007 8:10:22 GMT
I have made a few without a steel mandrel.
I turned the end of some 25mm (ish) square stock down to a small cylinder about 25mm long that just fits inside the brass tube of the pen. I used this to drive the blank and used a normal revolving centre in the other end of the brass tube. With hindsight I should have made another wooden mandrel because the revolving centre did leave a small bevel on the inside of the brass tube but it didn't effect the look or functioning of the pen.
This method work fine for the few I made but if you plan to make a lot I would buy the mandrel.
Cheers
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Post by happyhammer on Apr 8, 2008 3:11:34 GMT
For the relatively low price of a mandrel I would recommend getting one. Get one that you can screw different diameter rods into, it should come with these as different kits have different diameter brass tubes mostly 7mm and 8mm.
Also you can buy bush sets for particular pen kits that help ensure you turn the correct diameter where the timber meets the pen components like the nib. You won't be able to use the bushes if you don't have a mandrel.
So in summary you don't have to have one but it will make your life a lot easier for a relatively low cost.
HH.
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Post by greggy on Sept 5, 2008 17:34:16 GMT
hi james, the simple answer is no you dont, i turn my pens between centres now. but you must use calipers for your final dimentions.
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