Woodpeckers Pen Mandrel

(box not included and “non-kitted” bushings removed).

 

Boys and Girls,

 

A while back I posted a project under the innocuous name of Another Laser Box I’ve turned to which highlighted the laser box I built around this piece of kit, yet kept the hero of the contents a somewhat guarded secret. 

 

If you’re into pen making or consider taking up the addiction, this is an ideal offering that will at least make you appear to be a kitted out professionally.

 

I bought it sometime in October 2020 and cannot confirm whether I bought it as a package or two components.  I say that now, as looking at the Woodpeckers site  they advertise the mandrel and the 11-piece bushing set as separate options.
Yes, they are more expensive than the generic pen supplied mandrels, but it is a Woodpeckers and you get what you pay for... worth every shekel.   

 

Unless you have a high-end adjustable mandrel similar to any one of these, 

Which only have a retaining knob with the tip indented to fit into a pointy live centre. Alternatively you can buy one of these mandrel savers,  

… the Woodpeckers’ a must as it has an adjustable mandrel with a captivating nose cone over the live centre for the tailstock, that slip over the mandrel shaft… 

You could pack it out with the appropriate bushings/packers to suit you preferred turning style.  I like to pack it out with some Slimline bushings to keep my knuckles aways from the mandrels metal hardware,

Who said Slimline’s were useless? 

 

What makes the bushings in their set different from other bushings is that each have an unique identifying code embossed on them to identify the pen type they correspond with. 

This code has to be cross referenced with Woodpeckers’ cheat sheet, as opposed to the pen manufacturers codes.

If you already have a fair selection of bushings then this may not be worthwhile, however, if you are just starting or missing a lot, the kit includes many of the more popular pen styles.

I won’t list them here; however, they can be viewed at this link or check out my project about the box.

The one short coming of this mandrel is that it doesn't accept the7.5mm shaft that is used by some of the bushes (I believe certain cigars),

which is thicker than the normal 1/4"...
FAIW, this is where this circled mandrel is good

it has a replaceable colette that tightens around the mandrel shaft when the tail stock is advanced... not a pro for this mandrel but it's handy to know.
 

The box I made for it sported the 11 bushes on-board, with another 7 of my more popular chosen bushes… all can be read at Another Laser Box I’ve turned to.

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