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Ed Weber WR Administrator WR Patron Offline Posts: 8,907 Wilton California USA Gender: JET 1642 Grizzly G0584	Closed end pen mandrel Sep 19^th, 2022 at 7:37pm I'm looking for a 7mm closed end pen mandrel. I know how to use Google , I just can't seem to find any available. I've found a couple at the usual suspects, but it would seem everyone has them on back order. So if anyone knows of a site I could try, please let me know. I don't want or expect anyone to do my searching for me. Thanks
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Jeff Vanden Boogart WR Addict Offline WR Rocks! Posts: 921 Rural Green Bay Wisconsin USA Gender: PM 3520	Re: Closed end pen mandrel Reply #1 - Sep 19^th, 2022 at 10:07pm Last resort, 7mm drill rod from MMC
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Ron Sardo

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Re: Closed end pen mandrel
Reply #2 - Sep 20^th, 2022 at 7:49am

Jeff Vanden Boogart wrote on Sep 19^th, 2022 at 10:07pm:

Last resort, 7mm drill rod from MMC

To that file one end flat, deep enough equal to the thickness of a wire coat hanger (or welding rod). Chuck the drill rod with the flat side up, place on a small piece of coat hanger on the flat, then slip on your pen blank. Turning your pen blank clockwise turn will lock it in place.

I have pictures somewhere and if I can find them I'll post them

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Ed Weber WR Administrator WR Patron Offline Posts: 8,907 Wilton California USA Gender: JET 1642 Grizzly G0584	Re: Closed end pen mandrel Reply #3 - Sep 20^th, 2022 at 9:29am I know how to make one, but my time is worth a little more that the price of a pre-made unit. As a last resort I'll make one, but I was avoiding doing that. Thanks guys
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Ron Sardo WR Administrator WR Patron Offline Chief cook and bottle washer Posts: 9,649 Drums Pennsylvania USA PM 3520	Re: Closed end pen mandrel Reply #4 - Sep 20^th, 2022 at 3:01pm It took me 5-10 minutes to make one. How much time did you spend searching google and checking the websites of all the usual suspects?
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Ed Weber WR Administrator WR Patron Offline Posts: 8,907 Wilton California USA Gender: JET 1642 Grizzly G0584	Re: Closed end pen mandrel Reply #5 - Sep 20^th, 2022 at 5:00pm Well, once I have the steel it won't take long but yes, I spent a few minutes more than I should have searching for one. I get the point. I don't mind making tools for myself, I just didn't think I had to make all of them
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Ron Sardo WR Administrator WR Patron Offline Chief cook and bottle washer Posts: 9,649 Drums Pennsylvania USA PM 3520	Re: Closed end pen mandrel Reply #6 - Sep 21^st, 2022 at 8:08am I have various sizes of drill rod and round stock on hand. Comes in handy when an idea or problem arises. I also spent more time searching on google than it took me to come up with my own idea too.
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Ed Weber WR Administrator WR Patron Offline Posts: 8,907 Wilton California USA Gender: JET 1642 Grizzly G0584	Re: Closed end pen mandrel Reply #7 - Sep 21^st, 2022 at 10:16am The 1/4" drill rod I have, is a hair too fat to fit into a standard 7mm brass tube. I'll be ordering some supplies for the shop. Just a typical day when nothing wants to go smoothly.
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Louie Powell WR Addict Offline Posts: 953 Saratoga Springs New York USA Gender: PSI 12" Turncrafter Commander	Re: Closed end pen mandrel Reply #8 - Sep 22^nd, 2022 at 8:13am 1/4" mild steel rod at Ace Hardware - if its too fat, you can put it on a diet with sandpaper.
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Ed Weber WR Administrator WR Patron Offline Posts: 8,907 Wilton California USA Gender: JET 1642 Grizzly G0584	Re: Closed end pen mandrel Reply #9 - Sep 22^nd, 2022 at 8:58am I haven't tried any mild steel yet. I wanted to use hardened rod since the end will be unsupported. I'll see what I have lying around and maybe try later on. This is why I just wanted to purchase one, all the size fiddling is already done
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Ron Sardo WR Administrator WR Patron Offline Chief cook and bottle washer Posts: 9,649 Drums Pennsylvania USA PM 3520	Re: Closed end pen mandrel Reply #10 - Sep 22^nd, 2022 at 3:47pm 7mm = 0.275 so a 1/4" mild steel rod would work with a little padding (paper or scotch tape). I've used mild steel for projects like this without any problems
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Ed Weber WR Administrator WR Patron Offline Posts: 8,907 Wilton California USA Gender: JET 1642 Grizzly G0584	Re: Closed end pen mandrel Reply #11 - Sep 22^nd, 2022 at 6:53pm Well it took me longer than Ron's 5-10 minute time frame but I made the stupid thing today. Nothing fancy, W1 1/4" rod (what I had) and a stainless pin (I also had) I use my collet chuck to drive it. Not to mention taking photos for everyone.
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Chris Brock Active Member Offline WR Rocks! Posts: 221 Phoenix Arizona USA Gender: NOVA DVR	Re: Closed end pen mandrel Reply #12 - Sep 22^nd, 2022 at 10:01pm Excellent pics, completely illustrative of what's going on. I must admit, having never turned a pen, that I thought 'closed end' meant a mandril into a blind hole.
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Ron Sardo

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Re: Closed end pen mandrel
Reply #13 - Sep 23^rd, 2022 at 10:35am

Ed Weber wrote on Sep 22^nd, 2022 at 6:53pm:

took me longer than Ron's 5-10 minutes

Me, "I have a chore for you to do"

Kids, "How long will if take?"

Me, "5-10 minutes"

===

Kids, "Are we there yet?"

Me, "2 or 3 more hours" (even when we have only 20 miles left to go)

====

Good work Ed.

When I made mine my notch was only about 1/2" long and most of the work I did on a grinding wheel with just a cleanup with a file at the end.

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Ed Weber WR Administrator WR Patron Offline Posts: 8,907 Wilton California USA Gender: JET 1642 Grizzly G0584	Re: Closed end pen mandrel Reply #14 - Sep 23^rd, 2022 at 10:38am Thanks guys, it should do the trick. I'll post some photos of the project/s I made it for when I can.
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