Got my first pen on the lathe right now (Jet mini). First problem I noticed
was the tail center has a non standard point. It doesn't fit the mandrel
correctly. Are you sure it is your bushings and not the entire mandrel
running out? If you are using the stock center, chances are that this is
most of the problem. Just got back from Rockler to buy a proper center.
While I was there, I checked every lathe they had in the store. Both Jets,
large and small had the non standard center as did both Deltas and their
Chinese import. The correct center for that mandrel has a 60 degree included
angle. The stock ones are sharper than that and will enter to deep in the
hole and ride on the point.
..
"KarlB" wrote in message
...
NoOne N Particular wrote in
. net:

About 3 months ago I purchased a Delta 14" lathe and have been turning
different things to learn some of the tools and techniques. I have
also turned a few pens and I have to admit that the first couple
lacked a little bit in the fit department, but I am getting better.

I have purchased a couple of different types of mandrels. One is the
"precision" one piece from Rockler, and the other is the
"professional" adjustable from Woodcraft. I have tried several
different styles of pens from the slimline to an Atlas and a few in
between.

Each type of pen requires it's own set of bushings, and sometimes
these bushings don't fit on the mandrel shaft as well as they should.
Some of the bushings fit nice and snug on the shaft and some don't. I
have one set of bushings where the ID of the bushing is at least .006"
larger than the mandrel shaft, and this is causing some concentricity
(is that really a word???)issues . It is just about impossible to get
the center ring to fit the pen cap on all sides.

So here is the question. Do any of y'all have problems like this, and
what do you do to resolve them? (I guess that is two questions).

Let's go for the triple. As a third question, what mandrels and so
forth do you use?

OK. FOUR questions. Where do you get your supplies and kits? I have
found several places including Rockler, Woodcraft, Craft Supplies,
Berea Hardwoods (I really likey), and Arizona Silhoutte (also likey
but they provide mostly Berea), and of course, Penn State Industries.
I also found out the other day that Berea is the supplier for Rockler.

OK OK OK, FIVE questions. Last one I promise. What is your favorite
style of pen and why? (OK, that makes 6 questions.)

And since I already broke my promise, which style and type of pen do
you sell the most of? By style I mean Slimline, European round top or
Flat top, etc., and by type I mean ball point, fountain, rollerball,
pencil, or some sets?

Lastly, what is the difference between a ballpoint and a roller ball?



Thanks,

Wayne

I also use the Penn State mandrel and bushings and have no problems. My
problem with fit on the mandrel usually comes with the pen tube and then
a small rat tail files solves that quickly. My supplier of choice is
Woodturningz.com. The service great and the prices right. From what I've
read here, not a lot of pens get sold by the every day hobbyist-turner.
I might be wrong, but that was the general flavor I understood. You may
want to try penturners.org for a more focused group of folks. I get
there evey so often and am amazed at the quality and creativity of the
folks.

Good luck
Karl