Chuck ellsworth
Member
- Messages
- 5
- Location
- Centuria WI
Most (certainly not all) pen turners use what is called a mandrel. The mandrel is usually held in place in the headstock by the taper of the headstock. Your lather has either a #1 or #2 Morse taper. That live center you have fits into that Morse taper head...
The centre that came with your Lathe will work with a mandrel but isn't ideal for the reasons already mentioned above. If you just want to turn a couple of pens to see how it goes & if you enjoy it before spending any more money then there shouldn't be any problems at all. Just be careful when you snug the centre up in the end of the mandrel, you don't need a lot of pressure at all & as someone has already said overtightening the tailstock will bend the mandrel.
If you turn a couple of pens & decide it is something you want to do more of then look at buying a mandrel saver.
The tip of the tailstock live center will still wear down. If used dedicate it just for pens and replace for other turnings. Otherwise, follow advice given.you should be able to use your live center with a mandrel to turn a pen, but I wouldn't. First of all if you turn many pens, the divot on the end of the mandrel will wear a ring around the tip of the live center