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Thread: Turning pens between centers

  1. #16
    Join Date
    Jun 2008
    Location
    Liberty Lake, WA
    Posts
    180
    Quote Originally Posted by Jack Tyree View Post
    I want to get started turning pens and have a question. Is it possible to turn pens between centers using the standard bushings you get where you get your kits.
    A simple answer is yes you can. What you need is a 60º 'dead center' and a 'live center'. Place the dead center in the headstock and the live center in the tail stock.

    What type of pens are you going to be making?

    95% of all my pen making is done between centers. I am not a fan of pen mandrels as the are really pretty soft steel and bend easily if you are heavy handed like myself.. When I have to use a mandrel (not for pen making) I bought some 1/4" Stainless Steel tubing and I use that as a mandrel. Doesn't bend or rust.

    This mystery wood (cherry?) was turned between centers using standard bushings. I did take a a #4 60º center drill and cup the ends slightly for the centers to make better contact with the bushings.


  2. #17
    Join Date
    Apr 2013
    Location
    Kansas City
    Posts
    2,653
    Agree with the mandrel saver, if you're making more than one.

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