Lathe Mandrel

[aliva]

I have to make some pulley's So I'm looking to buy some mandrels, just not sure what type, tapered or expanding sleeve. I'm looking at sizes from 1/4' to 3/4". I have a cheap set of the expanding type which are garbage. So I need some opinions, tapered type or expanding sleeve?
I'm leaning toward the expanding sleeve for the size range, but the tapered are less expensive.
Any thoughts would help my decision
Thanks

 

[Rex Walters]

I've no experience with the expanding type. I just buy tapered arbors of the size I need as I need 'em. That's actually pretty infrequent as I don't do that much turning between centers. Hard to argue with the accuracy and secure workholding of a tapered arbor. Couldn't be easier to use, either (as long as you have one of the correct size).

Regards,
--
Rex

 

[brino]

aliva,

If you are building up lathe tooling and have the funds go ahead and buy some mandrels in the required sizes.
Personally, I'd prefer tapered, just simpler.

However, if cost is an issue, you could make your own tapered mandrels.
Of course, you could also make some short stub mandrels.
Any of the above would likely be reused.

The decision is really about time, cost, and your needs.

-brino

 

[bpratl]

I have this set that mounts between centers, that I have use a few time with good results.
This set has a range 0f 1/2" to 1" wit a lot of overlap for metric/ASE sizes. Bob