Frank Fusco
06-13-2006, 10:27 AM
I'm having a bit of a dispute with a supplier of pen turning supplies. I recenlty bought a new mandrel with a #2 MT arbor that I believe is defective. But, first, some background.
My lathe is a Grizzly G1027Z. It runs smoothly with no wiggle-waggle, bounce or other run-outs or nasties. When the tailstock with live center is brought up to the spur, the two points meet perfectly. My turnings are round, not oval. The new mandrel was bought as a supplement to my old one. The old one has been used for countless pens and duck calls without a problem. When in the lathe the live center point mates perfectly with the dimple in the end of the mandrel.
OK, now: The new one, also a #2MT arbor did not line up. The end of the mandrel was 3/16" to 1/4" off from the point of the live center. When forced to mate I tried turning a pen. The blanks wobbled and bounced wildly and was impossible to turn.
A complaint to the supplier brought the advice that I should look for my lathe's "sweet spot". Meaning, mount the mandrel then, by hand, turn the spindle until the off-center end of the mandrel rod lined up, or came close, to the tip of the live center. Or, with the arbor loose in the spindle, turn the unit until it mated with the tailstock. He said this was necessary on all lathes. Normally, he is reputed to be a knowledgable, level-headed guy. But I discounted this 'advice' as pure nonsense. I believe a lathe should be true without off-center anythings or non-concentricities. If it doesn't line up, something is wrong. IMHO.
He refused to exchange the item but did refund claiming he believed I would never be satisfied with anything.
I ordered a new mandrel, of a different make, and it lines up perfectly, as does my old one. I think if it's right, it's right. If it's off-center, it's wrong.
Now, this guy has many years more turning experience than I do and is well reputed for his expertise. So, I am baffled by this disagreement.
What say the jury?
My lathe is a Grizzly G1027Z. It runs smoothly with no wiggle-waggle, bounce or other run-outs or nasties. When the tailstock with live center is brought up to the spur, the two points meet perfectly. My turnings are round, not oval. The new mandrel was bought as a supplement to my old one. The old one has been used for countless pens and duck calls without a problem. When in the lathe the live center point mates perfectly with the dimple in the end of the mandrel.
OK, now: The new one, also a #2MT arbor did not line up. The end of the mandrel was 3/16" to 1/4" off from the point of the live center. When forced to mate I tried turning a pen. The blanks wobbled and bounced wildly and was impossible to turn.
A complaint to the supplier brought the advice that I should look for my lathe's "sweet spot". Meaning, mount the mandrel then, by hand, turn the spindle until the off-center end of the mandrel rod lined up, or came close, to the tip of the live center. Or, with the arbor loose in the spindle, turn the unit until it mated with the tailstock. He said this was necessary on all lathes. Normally, he is reputed to be a knowledgable, level-headed guy. But I discounted this 'advice' as pure nonsense. I believe a lathe should be true without off-center anythings or non-concentricities. If it doesn't line up, something is wrong. IMHO.
He refused to exchange the item but did refund claiming he believed I would never be satisfied with anything.
I ordered a new mandrel, of a different make, and it lines up perfectly, as does my old one. I think if it's right, it's right. If it's off-center, it's wrong.
Now, this guy has many years more turning experience than I do and is well reputed for his expertise. So, I am baffled by this disagreement.
What say the jury?