Pen Mandrels

[Wes Bischel]

I was looking at the pen turning mandrels on sale at Penn State - ( E10152A ) Are these typical mandrels? They look different than others I've seen. I have never turned pens, but would like to try my hand at it.
Any advise would be helpful.
Thanks, Wes

Link:

http://www.pennstateind.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=PSI&Product_Code=E10152A&Category_Code=

[Tom Hintz]

Wes,
That mandrel looks alot like the one I have except the shaft length is adjustable on mine. I think that is the reason for the group of bushings, to be used as spacers.
I really like being able to adjust the shaft length, and use that function often. I bought my mandrel at Woodcraft though I suspect many other places have it also.

[Ken Salisbury]

I was looking at the pen turning mandrels on sale at Penn State - ( E10152A ) Are these typical mandrels? They look different than others I've seen. I have never turned pens, but would like to try my hand at it.
Any advise would be helpful.
Thanks, Wes

Wes,
The mandrel show in the link is a standard 7mm mandrel with a #1 Morse taper which is one of 2 standard mandrels. The other being an 8mm one used to make different kits. Why they are advertising a "2 for" sale price I don't know. Even though I have 6 mandrels I don't see the need to have two 7mm mandrels unless you make lots of pens of different styles and leave the mandrels set up with different bushings for different pens like I do.

I suggest you look at Berea Hardwoods (http://www.bereahardwoods.com)mandrels which allow you to use one morse taper and just switch 7 mm and 8mm shafts as necessary. Call them toll free: 1-877-736-5487