Est. 1998 — 27 years of woodworking knowledge
pen bushing question
jim reasoner
>For some of you "old" pen turners. How long or how many pens do you turn before the bushings are "sanded" enough to require replacement bushings? I would think that at some point they would get reduced enough in diameter by barrel sanding that they would be to small.
Re: pen bushing question
Bill MacLachlan
>I had the same problem and changed them after 40-50 pens. But I probably could have done sooner. I thought about this and purchased a spare set when I placed my first order.
But it also should depend how coarse of paper you use to start. If your turning is much smoother to start and you do not need to remove some mistakes and start with 80 grit, like I do, they should last longer.
Bill
Re: pen bushing question
Scott Greaves, Blackfoot Idaho
>Hi Jim,
I've never really counted, but I probably get forty or fifty pens before switching bushings. It depends on how rough I am with them. Sometimes I only get ten pens! ;-)
It's a good idea to keep extra sets around, and replace them if you even suspect you may need to. Don't worry if you replace them every ten pens! It's also a good idea to keep a set of dial calipers around and check your diameters occasionally.
Scott.
Re: pen bushing question
Peter Teubel
>I change them every 15 (+/- 5) pens.