Are Axminster pen kits compatible with Charnwood pen mandrel

[Sawdust=manglitter]

I got a Charnwood pen turning kit for Christmas and I made my first couple of pens on the weekend.

I was just looking at the kits and accessories that Axminster have. It may be a silly question, but would the Axminster pen kits, bushings etc be compatible with the Charnwood mandrel? I know my mandrel is 1/4" diameter, but the Axminster website doesn't seem to state mandrel/accessory diameters so I don't know if they'd be compatible?

 

[woodpig]

Most* mandrels seem to be in the range of 6.15mm to 6.25mm. If your mandrel is 1/4" (6.35mm) you could just drill out any bushings under this size to suit.

* there is a Mandrel available in the US called a "Maxi" mandrel that is somewhat larger than those normally available.

 

[Sawdust=manglitter]

Thanks for the info Woodpig. So if most mandrels are a smaller diameter than mine then I guess it means that Charnwood want to prevent you buying anyone else's pen kits!? :x

I'm not sure I'd be comfortable drilling out bushings and risk getting them off centre or ruining them! So I guess i'll have to stick to the Charnwood kits then :?

 

[Dalboy]

I have three mandrels not ever measured them as I use tapered bushes when turning pens and measure as I go to the correct pen part size. I have got some Axminster bushes and had to drill them out with no problems. Another thing I use is a mandrel saver for the tailstock end this pushes against the bushes and not the shaft end.
I don't have any problems with this set up as you can see from some of the pens I have turned HERE

 

[woodpig]

I've no idea why mandrels vary so much in size. if you were to buy a collet chuck* it should be quite easy to accurately drill the bushes to size.

* You can get these on eBay from about £7.00 to £15.00 depending on size. An ER32 chuck can be a very handy thing to have at times. You'd obviously need to buy at least a few collets for it as well though and this will increase the price a bit.