What tools exist for pen turning? Specifically mandrels and blank drilling and assembly press? Trying to figure out if I need to purchase these.
Providing you do 8mm or 7mm we should have everything. There’s about a 90% chance they’ll be in usable shape. If you’re planning on doing more than a couple you may want to buy your own.
Thank you, where is the equipment stored?
You signed off on using the lathes? It should have been covered by your class.
In any case, it’s in the black rolling cabinets, in the bottomish draws. They’re in fishing tackle style clear boxes.
I am. Training was a long time ago. Never had the need for these before.
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Look in the two bottom drawers of the cabinets labelled “Jet Lathe”. As of a couple of weeks ago the tooling was there as well as the press.
As of tonight it’s all there. Be aware of a few things:
You’ll probably want to bring your own drill bits. The basic sizes are there next to the drill press but are in varying conditions of “good”. Most aren’t really “good” at all.
The blank drilling holder is in rough shape. You have to kind of hold it together as your drilling or your blank could drift, resulting in an askew hole.
The mandrels and live end savers are in good shape, most of the bent ones have been banished. You will need your own bushings.
The pen assembly press is bad. It’s not remotely true and it is difficult to accurately assemble pens on it without damaging your pen.
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Thanks for the run down. I think you have convinced me to pick up a few things of my own.
I 've been debating getting this for ourselves. Anyone have experience with it?
No, but if this doesn’t work out I’ll be trying it.
https://www.rockler.com/rockler-portable-drill-guide-with-vise
I have a set of these and I like them better.
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I bought one. Haven’t tried it yet.
The pen chuck @Sam_Violett posted is really the way to go. I’ve ruined more blanks than I care to admit trying to line them up properly on the drill press.
You will also need a Jacob’s chuck to hold the drill bit. Be careful here - the Jacob’s chuck is NOT screwed in to anything, so you have to hold it with your hand and push the tailstock into the blank. It sounds hard, but is very accurate, so it’s worth learning how to do it.
Like I said, hold on to the Jacob’s chuck, or it could go flying across the room.
If you’re using the Jet lathes, do NOT use the Jacob’s chuck from the Powermatic. It’s too big and will likely ruin your blank.
I ended up buying my own supplies the last time a lot of lathe equipment went missing.
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If anyone wants to try it out let me know and I will bring mine in for you to try
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Anyone have mandrel recommendations?
I just got one of those, very happy with it! I also use it with a live center on one end to turn dip pens for calligraphy.
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Do you have a link for these, or would you please let me know what it’s called so I can look it up? It looks a lot easier than the regular version.
Also, is this for a single barrel or double barrel pen blank?
Thanks.