I would like some advices on turning stem, mouthpiece and other little things

[GI]

Hi everyone,
I would ask, what type of tools are used to start making wood mouthpiece and stems ?

I start using a lathe but still don't have a mandrel and i buy the standard 3 gouges, i want to buy a mandrel and since cost a lot of money i want something that can use for stem, handel, mouthpieces and theese little things, the one that i find easy are for more big job.

Also if you have some advice on gouges and other lathe tools or some technical about the operations i will be happy.
I would like to learn and made pieces for myself and maybe some friends, not a production.
I'm a guitar maker and i know many parts of the job.

Bye

 

[TheThriftDrifter]

The first wooden stems I made for myself were made with a cheap drill press, a skateboard wheel and bearings, plus a long bolt as the mandrel haha! I used a woodworking chisel to do the cutting and finished them with sandpaper. It was very noisy!

I've also made stems by hand with a drill to drill the hole, a saw, chisel and sandpaper.

Have you looked at pen turning mandrels?

PEN MAKING - Pen Mandrels - The Woodturning Store

www.thewoodturningstore.com

Amazon.com : pen turning mandrel

As far as turning tools go there are two main groupings.

Traditional

Carbide

 

[flyin911]

I’d like to learn how to do this

 

[GI]

The first wooden stems I made for myself were made with a cheap drill press, a skateboard wheel and bearings, plus a long bolt as the mandrel haha! I used a woodworking chisel to do the cutting and finished them with sandpaper. It was very noisy!

I've also made stems by hand with a drill to drill the hole, a saw, chisel and sandpaper.

Have you looked at pen turning mandrels?

PEN MAKING - Pen Mandrels - The Woodturning Store

www.thewoodturningstore.com

Amazon.com : pen turning mandrel

As far as turning tools go there are two main groupings.

Traditional

Carbide

Thanks good to look at....pen mandrel, i need to check i see other mandrel but i can't translate are like mandrel for drill but used on the left side of the lathe, not for making holes, they get about 6/7/8 mm diameter.

 

[TheThriftDrifter]

Pen mandrel use.

This is an amazing Japanese pen maker who has out of this world skill level!

 

[Ipe17]

veeery interesting...I started making some wood stems by hand with a driller and a dremel, but it takes forever to make one....I am going to watch all these videaos. Thansk for sharing

 

[GI]

Thanks finally i visualize it and buy some tools.

 

[iDRINKBLEACH]

https://www.amazon.com/Woodworking-Products-Dedicated-Drilling-Lathe/dp/B094J6TBK1/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?crid=39ZGL1ZUSO2TE&keywords=dedicated+pen+blank+drilling+chuck&qid=1653964990&sprefix=dedicated+pen+%2Caps%2C161&sr=8-3

You can find cheaper, but something like this and a drill for your live center side. Can also go with collet Chuck which are great at centering or I use a nova style Chuck myself

Then get a live center and dead center that go to a smaller point so you can hold stuff with smaller inner diameter

Fwiw I have a pen mandrel I have never used

Edit- your gouges you will need a grinding wheel and jig to keep them sharp and good to use for awhile. With high speed steel tools I have to sharpen multiple times throughout day and sometimes in middle of projects if the janka is higher

 

[flyin911]

I’ve got a few stems I’ve made with a drill and a sander. How do you get the hole drilled straight thru the blank?

 

[flyin911]

Thanks good to look at....pen mandrel, i need to check i see other mandrel but i can't translate are like mandrel for drill but used on the left side of the lathe, not for making holes, they get about 6/7/8 mm diameter.

This looks like the info I’ve maybe been looking for, thanks

 

[iDRINKBLEACH]

I’ve got a few stems I’ve made with a drill and a sander. How do you get the hole drilled straight thru the blank?

That’s what the self centering chucks are for that I referred to in my previous comment

 

[flyin911]

Ok, Ima check that out