I will soon be turning a handle grip made from EVA. This is my first attempt at making a grip using good materials and tools. I will be turning a 2 X 2 X 12 block of EVA into a straight spinning rod handle
1: The MudHole material I have located says to coat the mandrel with Steel Turning Mandrel Wax at $10.00. This sounds a lot like applying release compound on a rifle action before epoxy bedding the actin into the stock. I think release compund is a lot cheaper than the stuff from MudHole when turning only one handle. Comments please on this.
2: Is the EVA "secured" to the mandlrel with epoxy before starting to turn the handle. I have not found any information on attaching the EVA to the mandrel except for a brief comment in MudHOle sales informaton
3: If the EVA is epoxyed to the mandrel for turning, how is it removed.

I just put it on the mandrel, if it's to loose I add a bit of painters tape to snug it up. Doesn't have to be on the mandrel real tight to turn, so it comes off fairly easy for me after turning. I also knock the edges down with a Sur-form rasp before turning. Wipe the painters tape glue off your mandrel when done.
The Turning wax I think is more for building and turning cork grips. I don't use that either I just use good old parafin rubbed on the mandrel to keep the epoxy from the mandrel. Plumber's candles are less than a buck a piece and last a long time.

For EVA you don't need any release agent. Just shim with tape, spiralled up the mandrel (and back down if required) in order to get it snug enough to turn without slipping.

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Rex,

Billy Vivona could probably better explain this than me, but I'm gonna give it a shot. The only time you would need to coat your mandrel with something to necessitate release would be, if you were gluing or epoxying peices of EVA, or cork for that matter, together using the mandrel for alignment. Which is done quite regularly. Then you would need a release agent to be able to spin the mandrel and pop your finished grip off. As Spencer said, old fasioned canning parrafin is sufficient. Just rub the cake up and down the mandrel while turning it to ensure good coverage.

Bill in WV

That's true - thanks for adding it.

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Thanks to all of you guys for the information. Next time you are in Ballinger, give me a call and I will buy the coffee.