Mandrel source?

[Stephen L King]

My son has asked me to turn some bar tap handles for him. They will use screw in inserts that will thread onto 3/8 by 16. Does anyone know of a source for a mandrel that will match up for this, or should I try to rig something up with a bolt and nuts? Thanks in advance for any help.

[Ken Fitzgerald]

3/8 x 16 mandrels are quite common. I have purchased them from both Woodcraft and CraftSuppliesUSA IIRC. I have several.

The one I use most often is by Ruth Niles. Here's a link: https://nilesbottlestoppers.com/product/morse-taper-mandrel-tap/

From CraftSupplies for use in a drill chuck: https://www.woodturnerscatalog.com/p/52/5376/artisan-Bottle-Stopper-Mandrel

[Earl McLain]

Ruth Niles makes a nice mandrel as well. https://nilesbottlestoppers.com/product-category/mandrels-accessories/ Top notch stoppers and openers as well. Great service to boot.
earl

[John K Jordan]

I think Ruth Niles still sells two types of mandrels. One has a #2MT that fits in to the headstock but should be held with a drawbar while turning. You can make a drawbar with a length of allthread rod from HD and a shop-made knob.

She also has one that fits the threaded lathe spindle. I have both but like the threaded one better. Of course one potential disadvantage is you can't use it on a different lathe with a different thread. She also carries the drill bit and tap to fit.
I use this on some things like the larger handles for her meat tenderizers.

447132

BTW, you can make the handles without a mandrel. That's the method I prefer for a precise fit on stoppers or smaller handles. I chuck the blank, face off the end and drill and tap for the hardware, and turn the end first. Then shape the rest, part or cut off, and dress the end by hand. This method is easier to make the shape flow with the shape of the hardware, such as this stopper.

447133

JKJ

[Stan Smith]

3/8 x 16 mandrels are quite common. I have purchased them from both Woodcraft and CraftSuppliesUSA IIRC. I have several.

The one I use most often is by Ruth Niles. Here's a link: https://nilesbottlestoppers.com/product/morse-taper-mandrel-tap/

From CraftSupplies for use in a drill chuck: https://www.woodturnerscatalog.com/p/52/5376/artisan-Bottle-Stopper-Mandrel

Mega Dittos. Ruth is a great tool designer for her excellent quality products

[Stan Smith]

I think Ruth Niles still sells two types of mandrels. One has a #2MT that fits in to the headstock but should be held with a drawbar while turning. You can make a drawbar with a length of allthread rod from HD and a shop-made knob.

She also has one that fits the threaded lathe spindle. I have both but like the threaded one better. Of course one potential disadvantage is you can't use it on a different lathe with a different thread. She also carries the drill bit and tap to fit.
I use this on some things like the larger handles for her meat tenderizers.

447132

BTW, you can make the handles without a mandrel. That's the method I prefer for a precise fit on stoppers or smaller handles. I chuck the blank, face off the end and drill and tap for the hardware, and turn the end first. Then shape the rest, part or cut off, and dress the end by hand. This method is easier to make the shape flow with the shape of the hardware, such as this stopper.

447133

JKJ

Nice design on that stopper.

[John King]

Make your own mandrel with a 3/8" x 16 carriage bolt. Mount in 4-jaw chuck. See attached photos. - John

[Stephen L King]

Thanks for the help guys I have one coming.