Collet

[Derek]

Why do you need a collet system to turn pens. There is a proper pen mandrel to which you buy bushes to suit the type of pen turned along with that a pen saver is a good idea.

[JollyJim]

Hi Derek, thanks for the reply.

Good question.....it's more of interest than anything I guess. I have a fascination for
accuracy. An engineering friend of mine once told me that 'I was trying to get engineering
accuracy in woodwork' which, I guess, is not always possible. I don't come from an engineering background, nor,
for that matter, from a woodworking career. I'm retired now and spent the first half of my working
time in IT and the second half as an HGV Driver....a bit of an odd mix you might think !!!!


I just find anything to do with making things, understanding how things work etc , totally
fascinating as, in a lot of ways, it's all new to me.

I'm still trying to understand the difference between a posidrive and a phillips !!!!!! (Mind
you, I bet I'm not the only one !!!!!

Anyway, I'm having a great time learning....one of the first things I picked up is how
to get all your swear words into one sentence when that last shave of the skew digs in !!!!

Thanks again Derek - best wishes - Jim


(PS driving a big truck is better....!!!!!!)

[Derek]

You can also turn pens between centres by not having a mandrel some bush sets have a cone in the end for just that reason. When turning pens I use a mandrel but use tapered bushes without to much pressure otherwise the end can splay out and crack the wood/acrylic. I always measure the fittings and then turn the ends to suit that rather than rely on bushes.

[JollyJim]

Hi Derek , thanks for that.

I've seen that on YouTube. I might give it a go.

It looks difficult getting an exact measurement on the digital calipers though.
I assume you measure the pen fitting first and then lathe down to that size ?

Cheers - Jim

[JollyJim]

Derek, sorry I misread your last one.

I was thinking of measuring without having a bushing. I had'nt seen the ones
you mentioned where the bushing has a cone on it.

Jim

[happy amateur]

Jim have a look at rjbwoodturner on youtube. He uses between centres turning pens

Fred Taylor
Orchard-woodturners.org.uk

[The Bowler Hatted Turner]

Hi Derek, thanks for the reply.

Good question.....it's more of interest than anything I guess. I have a fascination for
accuracy. An engineering friend of mine once told me that 'I was trying to get engineering
accuracy in woodwork' which, I guess, is not always possible. I don't come from an engineering background, nor,
for that matter, from a woodworking career. I'm retired now and spent the first half of my working
time in IT and the second half as an HGV Driver....a bit of an odd mix you might think !!!!


I just find anything to do with making things, understanding how things work etc , totally
fascinating as, in a lot of ways, it's all new to me.

I'm still trying to understand the difference between a posidrive and a phillips !!!!!! (Mind
you, I bet I'm not the only one !!!!!

Anyway, I'm having a great time learning....one of the first things I picked up is how
to get all your swear words into one sentence when that last shave of the skew digs in !!!!

Thanks again Derek - best wishes - Jim


(PS driving a big truck is better....!!!!!!)

Getting the swear words in one sentence is easy, when you become better at turning you then have to get them all in alphabetical order in one sentence, takes skill that does.!!

[JollyJim]

Hiya The Bowler Hatted Turner

I was just enduring the nightly torture of Eastenders that my BossLady
insists that I 'enjoy' with her, when I read your wonderful response.

Thanks for that, I have'nt laughed so much for ages !!!!

Many thanks - best wishes, Jim

[Derek]

I assume you measure the pen fitting first and then lathe down to that size ?

Cheers - Jim

That is correct.

[JollyJim]

Ht Fred, thanks for replying

I had a look at a good few of his videos and they are quite
amazing. There's a lot of them, but I picked up on some of
the turning between centres ones. which I found quite
interesting.

He's got a very active imagination when it comes to
segmenting blanks etc and the accuracy he works to,

Thanks again, very educational. Best wishes - Jim

[JollyJim]

Thanks Derek
 
lots of ideas floating around in the grey matter.

Cheers and regards - Jim

[Paul Hannaby]

I have a collet chuck which screws on to the spindle rather than a morse taper. That has the benefit of not needing any tailstock support / draw bar to keep the morse taper in place. Very useful when doing things of a specific size but limited range for each collet. I have the common sizes I use rather than the full range!

[JollyJim]

Hi Paul, thanks for the reply

I'll keep an eye out for that....sounds interesting.

cheers, regards - Jim

[Derek]

If your lathe has a 3/4" X 16 thread then there is also this collet set

[JollyJim]

Hi Derek

thanks (I think) for replying......I could'nt resist and ordered it last night.
Luckily, it is the correct size for my Record Power lathe.

It looks a nice outfit, just gotta get to the postman before She sees it

thanks again.... regards, Jim