Hi there folks!
I am interested in getting a lathe to turn my own cork or eva grips.
I have seen and read about the use of steel mandrels for turning.
Can someone guide me or tell me how to use those? Do you slide the raw material over the mandrel and attach to the lathe?
Thanks!
You can wax the mandrel, then fit the grip. My lathe is a high-spped drill, so I just pop it in the chuck.
I have a PacBat delux power wrapper/lathe, but the drill set-up works much better.
How does the grip no spin on the mandrel when you turn the drill on to shape? I bought some mandrels but can't figure out how to use them!
i would get a full size table top lathe. The grizzly bench top lathes are actually very reasonably priced and good quality. I paid 145 for mine. I would also get a 3 or 4 jaw chuck instead of using the live center on the head. Most mandrels have a 60* cone in at least one end so you can use them with a live-center tailstock. a drill chuck tailstock is also a good investment for boring cork or reel seats.
i had my mandrels custom made by a buddy who works at a machine shop. I use the 1/2" the most. I had him turn down 3" of the mandrel to 1/4" and do a quick taper back up to 1/2". This way i can bore/ream my cork, glue on a rubberized endcap (w/ a 1/4" hole ) and turn the whole thing as one piece. I use the rubberized cork that comes with plugs to plug the hole.
to get it to stay on the mandrel, just shim/arbor in a few spots with masking tape so that the grip fits snugly.
should also mention - if you use a 1/4" mandrel - don't use to much pressure when forming the cork. Pressing too hard on can cause the mandrel to bow and you will not get a symmetrically round grip
Hey Dude,
for my clarity....I put the cork or EVA on the mandrel and then that goes on the lathe?
Use a set collar on the mandrell and get a mandrell that has threads on one end. You can slide your handle onto the mandrell against the set collar and then tighten the nut on the threaded end. I also make a bushing out of poly and mount that on the end of the mandrell also that way I know how far to turn my handle down so I can insert the reel seat onto it without always stopping the lathe to check my diameter of the handle. If you send me your email address I could send you some pictures of what I have. My email is hutcha@idcnet.com
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by nektarios »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Hey Dude,
for my clarity....I put the cork or EVA on the mandrel and then that goes on the lathe? </TD></TR></TABLE>
yessir. if you're lathe has live centers (like a traditional wood lathe) then the mandrel needs to have a cupped end on both sides so that it will center. if you have a 3 jaw or drill chuck on 1 or both ends, then you only need the cupped ends for the live-centers
Also, if you loosen the tailstock to check a size or make quick adjustment and you're using a 1/4" mandrel.... make sure to tighten it back down before turning the lathe back on.... which reminds me - i need to order a new 1/4" mandrel.......
If your grip material is slipping a little on the mandrel you can use either mandrel wax, or some masking tape. I usually put a wrap of blue painters tape on my mandrel if I am going to turn EVA...helps make it fit a bit tighter. If you use a jaw chuck for one end either get collar stops or get the mandrels that Backlash components sells. You need something to prevent the tailstock pressure from pushing the mandrell into the chuck further and causing it to come loose during turning....Also, the softer the material the faster you need to turn it.
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