Author Topic: Pen Mandrel - which one?  (Read 3115 times)

Offline Kyle McGill

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Pen Mandrel - which one?
« on: August 31, 2019, 06:12:00 PM »
Hello all,

I'm new to woodturning and upon numerous recommendations, spindle turning is where I shall begin.

My question is, what pen mandrel should I buy, seems to be a vast array of quality and price. So open to recommendations, budget of £40ish pounds.

If you also have any tips for pen work or good videos or books. Please do share!

Many thanks,

Kyle @ Chelmer Valley

Offline Wooddust

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Re: Pen Mandrel - which one?
« Reply #1 on: September 01, 2019, 01:23:44 PM »
Another option is to look at Taylor Mirfield their system uses bushes to fit into the tubes. so no mandrel several videos on you tube.

 https://taylorsmirfield.co.uk/collections/taylors-pen-kits

Offline Paul Hannaby

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Re: Pen Mandrel - which one?
« Reply #2 on: September 01, 2019, 05:49:07 PM »
Don't you still need a mandrel to put the bushes on?

Offline Derek

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Re: Pen Mandrel - which one?
« Reply #3 on: September 01, 2019, 06:58:06 PM »
Don't you still need a mandrel to put the bushes on?

No they have a 60deg recess in the end and you turn them between centres rather than on a mandril that way you get less chance of any problems associated with a mandril.

Offline Twisted Trees

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Re: Pen Mandrel - which one?
« Reply #4 on: September 01, 2019, 08:37:10 PM »
Another option is to look at Taylor Mirfield their system uses bushes to fit into the tubes. so no mandrel several videos on you tube.

 https://taylorsmirfield.co.uk/collections/taylors-pen-kits

https://taylorsmirfield.co.uk/collections/pen-making-accessories/products/universal-tbc-bush-set More direct link. Though they are out of stock at the moment. This looks like a good idea.

I have decided to take a few years off of pen making, I have plenty of pens, and they are sometimes a hard sell to make a decent return with the price of components being about 5 x the price of a complete pen! plus I got bored with them! however if and when I get back to it it will be fountain pens only and I rather like the Axminster tool  best shown in this video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dLTqZIeiLUw
TT, AKA Pete, but that name is taken :-)

Offline Kyle McGill

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Re: Pen Mandrel - which one?
« Reply #5 on: September 03, 2019, 07:43:41 AM »
Thanks very much! I'll look into that