Advice on turning a bobbin, please.

[Lood]

Both my tool holders are missing their height adjustment bobbins and I though it would be a nice project to turn new bobbins. They are available on the internet, but I don't think they can be too difficult to make.

I've done some measuring on the tool holders and came up with the dimensions of the bobbins, but now I have a few questions, please:

1. Would mild steel do or should the bobbins be turned out of something harder?
2. Should I turn them one at a time, or can I turn both simultaneously on a single piece of material and once finished, part them in the middle and then thread them individually?
3. Should I use a live center on the far end or can I turn it freely?

Below is a link to a picture of the bobbin to give an idea of what it looks like:
http://www.rapidoriginal.com/N_frame.html?http://www.rapidoriginal.com/

Thanks in advance.

 

[Pmedic828]

From what you are saying, if you don't extend the steel out too far in the chuck, you can turn it without a live center. I always use a live center for stock over about 2 inches. Don't know how many you need, but I think 2 at a time could be ok and you can center drill and bore with a standard length drill bit, change and knurl the "T" section and your done.