Thread: Turning your own brush handles...Question's...

Not sure this is the right place to post this but "The work shop" was my only other option, and it didn't seem to fit. My question is for people turning brush handles what is your set up on your lathe? I recently purchased an old Craftsman wood lathe from the 50's and it uses a #1 Morse taper. It is currently setup with a spur and tail stock cup (no live center). This setup isn't working for me. Has anyone used a pen mandrel for turning handles? Ideally I think a 4 jaw chuck would be best but I'm not finding anything with a MT #1 taper or spindle adapter that I could attach one....Idea's?

I use a spur center and a live center for most of the turning.
For hard materials I have to cut slots for the spur to seat in.

For the drilling I use a 3-jaw chuck.

Here's a MT1 3-jaw chuck: Mt1 Chuck - Harbor Freight Tools
The jaws don't open real wide on these: you pretty much have to first turn the material down to fit the chuck if you use it.

Thanks! I have a Harbor freight near me I'll check it out

I use a mandrel for turning handles. Gold handle is a 22mm, purple is 30mm. I did a build along on another web site.

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I use a setup similar to the one above. A #1MT chuck is readily available. The mandrel has 1/4 inch threads,and is available from the Golden Nib, and many other places. Once you get the blank round, you don't even need the tailstock center. You drill your brush hole first, and then drill for the threads on the mandrel.

Lots of ways to do it,am not a fan of spurs,would rather chuck it up and loose a bit of material.

I like this set up. Looks like it gives you lots of room to work and you don't waste much material.

Originally Posted by pixelfixed

Lots of ways to do it,am not a fan of spurs,would rather chuck it up and loose a bit of material.

has

This is what I've been using on my father-in-laws lathe, but my lathe spindle doesn't have threads it just accepts an MT #1 taper. A 4 jaw chuck I think would make me feel the most comfortable that the piece isn't going to come flying out.

By the way the Gold 22mm handle shape is a nice piece to look at.