Bushings to me are a wear item. So I cut right up to them, ever so
gently. Then I can usually get a perfect fit. tricker though when you
have a brass tupe tennon sticking out. I then us a wide scraper to span
the 1/8th inch gap and size up the wood that way.

Perhaps some scotch tape can tighten up a fit.

John

NoOne N Particular wrote:

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