If any of you ever wanted to see some pics of my mandrels for making fancy bands well here they are.

Hand held mandrel that I use to when doing the hammered look and for engraving the bands. The bolt is a trailer lug bolt, the cone shape of the bolt expands the fingers it s tightened. It will lock it tight enough the that a powered engraver will not move the band.




This is a lathe mount version, it is thread on the end to fit the threads of the spindle. This lathe is 1-8TPI, a 1972 Delta 46-111. That is NPT pipe plug that expands those "fingers" too hold the bands.



Buffing wheel mandrel, also threaded to fit the spindle of the lathe. The drilled and tapped from the tailstock end for a 1/2 bolt. The blank was scrap, the bolt and 2 washers I had to buy, less than a buck per mandrel.

Pretty cool Marvin!!! Thanks for sharing!

Robert, we need to have one of those callmaking turn a thons in Texas. In the springtime when it isn't to hot.

That is pretty neat information Marvin. I like seeing outside of my own little bubble.

That's pretty cool. Thanks for sharing!

I definitely agree Marvin.. when I get some spare time I will show you a pic of my band mandrel. Of course mine are only 3/8"x 1" o.d.

Tobin and I have been tossing the idea around for a Texas call makers meeting just never seem to have the time.. Let's try to make something happen...

I am in for the spring time. Cooler weather, I can pretty well get anywhere, but I am disabled and do not drive so I am dependent on my wife to get me everywhere. That is my only request, otherwise I am available anytime she is. Is there any callmaker along the IH35 corridor that anyone knows of.

We could have it Ruidoso in the summertime, nice cool mountain air. Nice gold courses, gambling for those that want to gamble and the horse races on the weekends. I have a 8x12 shop with a 12x12 deck to set up on. I still need more tooling, at least a bandsaw and drill press but I can get away with out those.

Not to much down here but heat!! I have about 15x40 of my shop dedicated to turning but no AC only a converted attic fan to keep me cool.. I would like to find a central location if possible.. Having said that some good ole mountain air heals the soul!!

That is an awful long drive for you, MapQuest kicks it out at 13 hours. All I know is that it is about 6.5 hours from Abilene to Ruidoso.

I guess we could include some of the Louisiana guys, some of them are a lot closer to you guys than I am. Not sure is they would want to make a trip since they already have their gathering at Spring break. Spring break is out for me, I have 2 family reunions, one each weekend.