Fan pulls?

MR · 02-27-2009, 08:22 PM

Anyone have any experience with Rockler's fan pull kits?

http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?O...Select=Details

It says:

Requires:

* 1A bushings
* 7mm mandrel
* 7mm drill bit
* 1/2" x 1/2" or larger wood blank

I don't even know what bushings are, and I'm a bit foggy on the mandrel. What are they for? Do I need them?

**TDHofstetter** · 02-27-2009, 10:05 PM

Yep, you do. The mandrel will be a stick of 1/4" steel rod with threads on one end to accept a fingernut. The other end will either be plain & straight for use in a drill chuck (in the headstock) or have a Morse taper that fits your headstock spindle.

The bushings are little steel tubes with a 1/4" center hole. The outside diameter of each bushing is exactly the desired outside diameter of each end of your fan pulls (or whatever other kit needs that particular set of bushings). They're your diameter guide - you turn the ends to match the bushings, then anything in between is up to you to shape however you want.

EDIT: This should clarify things a bit:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XgoahAIj7hk

He uses the word "spacer" to mean "bushing".

Also:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sdYay...eature=related

-- Tim --

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Robert "Limey" Bolton Memorial
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Volunteer Mentorship and Assistance
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MR · 02-27-2009, 10:20 PM

Ah, I see. Thanks!

**Boodrow53** · 03-01-2009, 08:57 AM

Mr I forgot to post a link , here it is.
boodrhttp://www.woodturnerscatalog.com/store/Projects___Lamp_Candle_Accessories___Light_Pull___ light_pull_kit?Args=ow

MR · 03-01-2009, 03:29 PM

Thanks Boodrow, those do look better. I went ahead and ordered some from Craft Supply. I'll post some pics once I get a chance to make some pulls.

How do these sell for you?

**Boodrow53** · 03-01-2009, 03:49 PM

Mr they sell well for me , not as good as the wine bottle stoppers , but better than pens. The good point is they are very fast to make. To finish these I do the same as pens , put a high friction polish then a good coat of wax.
Boodrow

**Boodrow53** · 06-02-2010, 09:16 AM

Mr I like the kits from Craft supply a lot better! U dont have to drill all the way through it. The mandrel is about 3 dollars I belive and just one threaded end. Also instead of bringing up the tail stock to support it , which always puts a nib on the end that hard to get out I use a pen bushing on my live center on the tail stock, this leaves u with a small amount of lathe work to finish the end with the tail stock pulled away. I started doing it this way after I broke about 4 of the mandrels off inside the stock I was turning. Also with this type mandrel u can turn the bottom any shape u want instead of having to worry with the hardware that comes threw the bottom on rocklers kits. Here is a couple pics of some I have made.
Boodrow