No hole in spindle?

Re: No hole in spindle?

Mark Mandell - Gone Round In Jersey

>Whoa, Doug,

I just checked General's site and EVERY lathe they make as a morse taper spindle. In fact, not that I've seen them all, but I haven't seen a modern lathe without the MT in the headstock spindle. I can't help but think that something's wrong here.

Please describe your spindle as it comes out of the headstock.

Sorry=Central not General

Doug Whitson in Phoenix AZ.

>You are correct sir, my mistake- I have a Central (aka Harbor Freight) not a General. Attached is a pic of the spindle. Sorry for the confusion.

Doug

Re: Ah Ha

Mark Mandell - Gone Round In Jersey

>Well, That explains It.

Doug, you're about learn that the lathe, whether its $100 from Harbor Freight or $2,000 from JET is the cheapest part of the whole deal.

I'd suggest that you not go for KO's on things like a jawed chuck (not that I'd recommend KO's at any time). Safety issues aside, a well designed and made unit will help you learn and grow in skills; junk will only hold you back and frustrate your efforts and will probasbly cost you more in the long term when you have to buy it again. Remember, a good chuck can be fitted with any number of adapters when you upgrade your lathe after the addiction sets in.

Hopefully some of the pen-turners will chime in here regarding adapters to use the mandrel. I think there are also several "pen-turner" sites that you might find with detailed info and sources. I'd have trouble believing that you're the first to want to do this.

Good Luck!!

Mark

-2=mail

Re: Second Response

Mark Mandell - Gone Round In Jersey

>Doud,

Went to Packard's catalogue and found listed a pen mandrel that fits in a key chuck Item #154980 and doesn't need a morse taper.

All the more reason to get a good chuck; you'll want something that is and Stays Accurate while you turn.

Hope this helps.

so are you suggesting

Doug Whitson in Phoenix AZ.

>the super nova? Or should I get the regular Nova? I don't mind spending the bucks. I just don't think I need something with a bunch of bells and whistles. Ive bought over priced high end stuff in the past and not needed or used it.

Thanks for answering my questions-I'm very grateful for your patience.

Re: Suggesting

Mark Mandell - Gone Round In Jersey

>Doug,

No need for apologies. Getting info and started is part of what WC is about.

I have no direct experience with the Nova chucks, but by reputation they are well made. I've used Oneway (Talon), but presently use a Vicmarc which I really like.

Perhaps some Nova-owners (past or present) can chime in here?

Mark

-2=mail

Re: No hole in spindle? *LINK*

Greg W. in NC

>Doug,

By far I think the best and cheapest solution would be a collet system. You can get a threaded chuck for your spindle, and simply get the size collet to fit the mandrel. You'll find other uses for the collets down the road, I'm sure. The link below is to only one, but you can do a google search to find multiple suppliers of collets, including ebay. The collet has the additional advantage of shortening the mandrel as needed, too.


Beall's Collet Chucks

Re: No hole in spindle?

Robert Simmons, Atlanta

>Doesn't the Poolewood have a solid drive shaft? If that's correct then maybe Bill Grumbine can shed some light on pen turning with a solid shaft lathe.

Robert

Re: Bingo!

Mark Mandell - Gone Round In Jersey

>That's the simple/elegent solution for pens, Doug.

But

Don't pass up the opportunity to get a descent gear-head chuck; you WILL use it eventually. |;-}}}

I'm confused.

Doug Whitson in Phoenix AZ.

>I understand the collet system. As stated on the Bealle site-it was taken from the metal working industry. It just seems to me that a chuck with three jaws would be much more efficient and versatile. Collets would need to be bought for each size and could only be used for something this size. Maybe I don't understand the pen making thing. I thought the pen making starter kits came with the mandrill thingy to hold the blank-then you put the mandrill in the chuck, bring your live center up to the other side and go. Am I missing something?

Thanks,

Doug

Re: I'm confused.

Greg W. in NC

>Doug,

Generally, the mandrel comes with a 2MT adapter, slide that in to your headstock, slide the pen on the mandrel, and bring up the tailstock and turn to your heart's content. Since you don't have a 2MT, you have to do something differently, such as a collet. Yes, you're right - the collet would be for a small size range, and you'd need multiple collets for various sizes, but one collet would work for all your pens (except the ONE larger mandrel from Berea.) Different pens use different bushings for their size, but they all fit on a basic mandrel.

The problem with a 3 jaw or 4 jaw chuck is tolerance. Usually they are not nearly close enough to be used for pens, which most often have a tolerance of a couple of thousandths, if you want to create higher quality pens (so you don't have an out of round problem, or similar.) No, the collets are not as versatile as the scroll chucks, but they are definitely more precise, and with pens, you want precision or you'll not be very satisfied with the results, at least not for long!

Re: I'm confused.

John Lucas

>I would also add that 3 jaw chucks and jacobs type chucks are not the best for woodturning. They were designed for metal and don't hold wood properly.

Little light at the end of the tunnel.

Doug Whitson in Phoenix AZ.

>Ahhhh, light at the end of the tunnel so to speak, Gotcha-Collet on spindle-mandrill in collet. So I'm off to get a starter set-probably from Pen State. Then get the collet from Beall's to fit the mandrill Penstate will provide with the kit. From what I gathered so far-the size to get is the 7MM. Sure wish I could find a site and tell them my lathe number and have them send everything at one shot. That way I would know it all would work together. Too much to ask I guess. Thanks for all the input from all.

Doug

There is a lesson to be learned here...

Russ Fairfield

>And, that is that the cheapest lathe may not be the least expensive option by the time we have purchased the accessories so we can do something with it.

No internal Morse Taper in the spindle means that any lathe attachment that uses a Morse Taper, drive-centers, drill chucks, pen mandrels, etc., cannot be used on this lathe. Instead, only those spindle attachments that screw onto the spindle, faceplates and scroll chuck, can be used. This makes it more difficult and more expensive to do half of the things that can be done with a lathe.

I can understand your concern about spending another $200 just to be able to use a $100 lathe to make a pen.

I would recommend that you return this lathe if at all possible, and then spend another $100 and purchase the Jet Mini-Lathe that is currently $199.99 in the Woodcraft catalog. It has a hollow spindle AND an internal #2 Morse Taper that will accept a pen mandrel without any additional expense. You will save both money and a lot of frustration.

Re: There is a lesson to be learned here...

Doug Whitson in Phoenix AZ.

>Thanks Russ, I received this as a Christmas present from my sister. Taking this back would break her heart. You cannot know how I agonized over this when I first opened the present. Foolish as it may seem, when I saw the pride she got out of getting me a "tool" I didn't have, I could do nothing but jump for joy and thank her profusely. I agree, had it been my choice I would have gone for a mini or at least a"good" used Jet. Thanks for your input-I agree-I'm just kinda stuck with what I have.

Doug

Re: There is a lesson learned

Mark Mandell - Gone Round In Jersey

>Doug,

Just imagine her pride when you present her with that first pen. Later you can inform her that you've really found something neat (thanks to her) and that you're upgrading to a pen lathe.

Later,still, you'll blow her away with the bowls you turn on your new PM 2036(a)!

Welcome to the Round Side!!!!!

Mark

Thanks Mark,Russ,John,Greg and Robert!

Doug Whitson in Phoenix AZ.

>Thanks Guys, I've been doing flat stock for longer than Norm has been doing his show-there is nothing like being a rookie again and tasting a little humble pie. It's nice to know there are people out there that really do just want to help.

I'll keep you informed.

Doug

Re: Ah Hummmmm . . . . .

Mark Mandell - Gone Round In Jersey

>That would be a "3520A"

[These damn Stubby Owners are such S-N-O-B-S. Can't even remember others' model numbers]

|;-}}}}}}

M

Re: Ah Hummmmm . . . . .

JamieDonaldson

>Watch you quick mouth there Mark- don't anger the forces of "the dark side!"

Re: Little light at the end of the tunnel. *LINK*

Don Evans

>Doug:

Here's more light at the end of the tunnel.

Take a look at this site and check out the picture on their mandrel for pens that has the thread on and shaft which is what you need for your lathe with no Morse taper.

The thing you need to do is look in the book that came with the lathe and see what your spindle threads are: 3/4" x 16 tpi or 1" x 8 tpi etc.

This is much cheaper than the Beal collet system to get you started but if you are familiar with metal working you know the precision that collets give.

A skilled turner can over come less precision but good tools help everyone.

I'd start with this, see if you like doing pens and then go from there. I have MT spindle so I use a metal collet system with a drawbar for pens and it's much better than the short (too short) collets of the Bealle system.

Don

http://www.penmakingsupplies.com/Tools/Mandrels.php


Pen mandrel and supplies

Re: Little light at the end of the tunnel.

Don Evans

>Sorry Doug:

I didn't make one thing clear. ON the site I gave you the mandrel marked "A" is the one you need. I don't know if they have it for anything other than 3/4" x 16 tpi spindles. You can check with them.

Don

Re: There is a lesson to be learned here...

Don Evans

>It's nice to meet someone who's heart is in the right place and more important than the greed of self satisfaction.

You're an inspiration more of us should follow.

You can always upgrade or add another lathe later if you find you want it.

If you want, you can find adapters to work with your lathe, and in this case for year or so may be worth every extra penny you don't save.

I've been turning round things for 30 years long before all the goodies these youngsters are spoiled with now.

Don

Re: Dark Side

Mark Mandell - Gone Round In Jersey

>Mine's Dark Gray, Jamie. Well, more or less. Been anointed enough to be otherwise! Besides, didn't want to raise the anger of the Mustard Brigade. They do outnumber us.

|;-}}}

Thank you for the kind words.

Doug Whitson in Phoenix AZ.

>and the links you provided earlier. I haven't determined the thread size on the spindle yet. I'll take the spur with me to work and put a guage to it. I'll post again when there is something to report. I agree that I might spend a few bucks now to make this beast a little more user friendly. Not knowing what I'm doing is creating a problem in that I'm trying to buy things for this one that I can use on the next one, if that can't be done-oh well-the next owner of this lathe is going to have some nice upgrades.

Cheers,

Doug