Tailstock for pen turning?

[Phillip H Smith]

A friend gave me a copy of the BereaHardWoods catalog, as he knows I'm doing some pen turning.

On the back of the catalog is a Fisch mini lathe (which looks remarkably similar to a slightly smaller version of my Rikon)....and in the text it mentions a SPECIAL tailstock point used for pen turning. It goes on to say in effect that many other tailstock points won't work with pen mandrels.

Any truth to this? I've been using my stock Rikon tailstock (with point) and it seems to work OK. However...the point is quite "pointy" and doesn't mate completely with the indentation in my PSI pen mandrel. That is, the mandrel's recess is less pointy (more cup-shaped) than the Rikon point.

Can I harm my tailstock point? Should I get another one? If so, where?

Thanks....

[Mike Vickery]

A 60 degree live center is needed to match the dimple in the pen mandrel. The other will work but not nearly as well and can damage you mandrel.

[Bernie Weishapl]

Ditto what Mike said. Yes it can ruin the the tailstock point as well as your mandrel. You need the 60 degree livecenter which can be had a CSUSA, Packard Woodworks and PSI but PSI is out of stock.

[Jim Milne]

... Should I get another one? If so, where?

Thanks....

Phill,
Harbor freight has one that is reasonable:

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=38573

Jim

[Phillip H Smith]

Thanks for the advice everyone....

That sucking sound is more $$$s being removed from my wallet. I foolishly thought that I'd outwitted the vortex, if only temporarily. No so....http://www.sawmillcreek.org/images/icons/icon9.gif

Dang...I hope the Chancellor of the Exchecquer doesn't find out!