Have Pac Bay wrapper with the upgraded chuck. I occasionally use it to turn cork grips. Internal jaws on chuck will barely grab a 1/4" mandrel. So, I put a few winds of tape around it so's it'll grab. This often slips and/or may cause some wobble/off centering, etc. Jaws also don't want to hold on to a 5/16" bare mandrel very well either. Anybody got any ideas on chuckin up this mandrel? Whatever I put on the end needs to be easily removable so I can use my push block to push the cork off after I've turned it. This is why I've been using tape.
Thanks,
Greg Marshall

Do you have the smaller set of "soft jaws" that came with the chuck? Those will hold a 1/4" mandrel.

Mark Griffin
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C&M Custom Tackle
San Dimas, California

Put a rubber band around it. wrap it around several times and let it build on itself. Its soft enough that teh chuck will squeeze it and keep it centered and it has enough grip to keep it from slipping

You can also slide a piece of surgical tubing over the end of the mandrel. This accomplishes pretty much the same thing as what Chuck has suggested doing with the rubber band, but keeps things easily centered.

................

Greg,
Do yourself a favor and pick up a small wood turning lathe - mini lathe - to take care of your handle turning needs. You can pick up a new or used wood turning lathe for $50-$500 and it will really solve a lot of frustration in being able to do a better job with less problems.

The issue of chuck and tail stock is a common problem in using a device that is really not intended for this use. i.e. to do a good job of turning, it is nice to have a decent quality chuck to keep things centered, and also a good tail stock to support the opposite end of the work while turning. Although a bit of money - it more than makes up for frustration saved.

Take care
Roger

Ditto what Roger said. I've blemished a few epoxy coats with "mystery cork dust". The dust is very fine and will settle EVERYWHERE. This lead me to break down and buy a Jet Mini Lathe, about $300 all said and done. The Jet will also turn wood for reel seat inserts, grips & butt caps. Well worth the investment.

just slip a cork ring on it and the cork ring will easily chuck in the pac bay. even the "premium " chuck doesnt hold very well. it works fine for finishing, but i have never used it for turning handles. i use the cork ring on 1/4' mandrels, but i am not turning anything, just finishing