question on Penn State stuff

Re: question on Penn State stuff

Scott Greaves, Blackfoot Idaho

>Hi Jim,

If you're just doing pens, none of that stuff will be of much use. But if you want to get into what I seriously consider to be the best way to hold a pen mandrel, get a Beall collet chuck for the one end, and a Oneway live center for the other end.

But if you want to try things other than pens, then those things might be of use. The expanding collet chuck might be the most interesting. But it is a very specific use item - expanding into a hollow of only a particular size.

As far as a chuck goes, I have no first hand knowledge of the PSI chucks, but a chuck needs to be a precision instrument. There are some truly fine small chucks made by Nova, Axminster and Vicmark.

But for almost anything you can hold with a chuck there are also other ways to hold the same thing. When you're ready to make the step to a tool that will make things easier, make sure it really will make things easier.

Sorry to be a wet blanket, but these may not be what you really want.

Scott.

Re: question on Penn State stuff

Richard Allen

>Hi Jim

A friend of mine got the self centering chuck. He was a bit excited about it when he ordered the chuck. I was skeptical but curious if the chuck was good got something.

He never said anything when he got the chuck. About a year after he got the chuck I was visiting and turning so snowmen on his lathe. As I was looking for something I cam across this chuck. So I asked him how it worked. He said he never used it. I asked why not. He said LOOK at it and tell me if you would use it. It was a nice enough chuck. Looked to be well made with smooth shinny pieces. Then I tried to adjust the chuck for different diameters. I guess if you focused your work on a dovetail tennon within it's 14" range of jaw opening it would be okay. I would rather that my chuck fit my turning not my turning fit my chuck.

Richard

P. S. That chuck was bought a couple of years ago. The chuck Penn State is now selling may be different. I find many of Penn State's pen kits to be terrific. Penn State has always been prompt and courteous when I have bought from them. I would not hesitate to buy a product from them. I would not buy the products you mentioned unless I was doing a bunch of watches and then I might get the 1 3/8" expanding chuck.

How do you use a collet chuck?

Phil Axtell

>Hi Scott,

I tried to e-mail you direct, but could not. Why do you say the collet chuck and the Oneway live center is the best way to hold a pen mandrel? Exactly how do you do it?

Thanks,

Phil Axtell

Space Coast Woodturners

Central Florida Woodturners

Orange County, (CA) Woodturners

Re: question on Penn State stuff

Greg W. in NC

>As far as the Oneway live center, I'm not sure it is 60 degree, which is needed for the mandrel. I use a Grizzly center which works fine, and I use my Oneway on everything else besides pens. Note if the live center isn't exactly 60 degrees, you can quickly ruin both the mandrel and the tip of the center.

Re: How do you use a collet chuck?

Scott Greaves in Blackfoot ID

>Sorry Phil! I'll update the address here so you can reach me.

How many times have you had to use spacers, or you ran out of room on your mandrel? With the collet chuck, you adjust the length of the mandrel protruding from the collet so that it fits what you're turning. If you keep the mandrel as short as possible, it helps in avoiding whip in a thin mandrel. If you want to make your own mandrels and bushings out of heavier stock, there is a collet that will fit it. It is just the slickest deal I've seen! But it is definitely a "Cadillac" way to do things.

Scott.

Re: question on Penn State stuff

Scott Greaves in Blackfoot ID

>Hi Greg,

I don't think the cone is 60 degrees, but I think the "little" point is. I have been using it and it seems to work fine. I saw a nice Axminster live center that is a true 60 degree point - maybe that would be the primo way to go! ;-)

Take care!

Scott.

Re: question on Penn State stuff

Rob W.

>Jim: Some years ago I bought the 1-3/8" expanding chuck from PSI during one of their super sale events. It consists of a four piece end assembly (held together with a rubber o-ring!) that expands when the pieces screw into the spindle-mount assembly (mine is 1" 8 tpi). For small bowls and other light items, this chuck has worked quite well for the price I paid. I use a 1-3/8" Forstner bit to create the recess needed for the expansion system to work. All one needs to do is mount the chuck on the lathe spindle, slip the mortise in the stock over the chuck head, and twist the stock until the chuck tightens. I wouldn't use it for large pieces. It has gotten me out of a few fixes when my Vicmarc chuck was either tied up on another project, or a partially turned piece broke off at the base. I suppose I'd recommend having one in the shop. I think mine will get more use now that I have a second (Jet Mini) lathe; the PSI expanding chuck won't work on my Jet 1642 unless I use the spindle adapter...Good luck! Rob Wallace in Iowa

PS I also recommend PSI's super flexible dust collection hose - really works well without the stiffness of the clear hose.