For those that turn their own winding checks, particularly with hard plastics materials like acrylic. What method do you use to put it on the lathe? On a mandrel or hold the a piece in a chuck with a small amount of material outside the chuck? I have tried both ways and can't seem to get good results. With a mandrel, I have not been able to secure the piece using the piece of tape trick. I've tried electrical tape, Teflon, masking, etc. Even if I can get it secured, If I need to remove it to check against the reel seat after initial turning, I can't get it centered again when returning to the mandrel. Hope that makes sense. Plus, how do you finish the check face right down to the mandrel surface without your carbide tool hitting the steel mandrel? I have a talon four jaw spigot chuck and tried making a tang to hold in the chuck and turning the check on the material outside the chuck. Similar issue. I take it out to check against my reel seat. When chucking back up, I can't get it centered again. To be very specific, I'm currently trying to make a check or end piece for a size 20 NPS seat out of Delrin. This piece would fit on the non threaded end since I mount my spinning seats up locking. Trying to make something similar to the black fuji plastic checks you can purchase for size 16 and 17 seats. I hope my description describes my issue well enough. Thanks for any suggestions anyone may be able to offer.

Bud,
I turn winding checks all the time using acrylic pen blanks. I always buy the blanks that are round and have a diameter of 22mm and length of 5 inches.. (These are difficult to find sometimes as most are 3/4 in).
To turn the piece you're describing I chuck the blank in a 4 jaw barracuda chuck, center as best as I can (usually have to round it out a little), drill blank diameter hole with bit in jacobs chuck in tailstock. Turn to to the desired shape with the front end of the piece on the right. I then turn the left side of the piece to form a collar that fits into the reel seat. Sand to a glass finish (not the collar), and use a parting tool to turn off the piece.
I never take the piece out of the chuck until finished (or screwed up) as I can never re-chuck without having to round it out again.
I actually turn the butt cap first, the winding check(s) next, and then the the piece described above (there's a name for this piece but I cannot remember).
Hope this helps!

TJB

Bud,
I consider and agree the most important part of Thomas’s reply to be, “I never take the piece out of the chuck until finished (or screwed up) as I can never re-chuck without having to round it out again”. One additional thing that I always do is mark the position of the piece relative to the #1 jaw of the lathe; at least you have a prayer of relocating center to the lathe if the piece needs to be removed and rechucked.

Mark Talmo
FISHING IS NOT AN ESCAPE FROM LIFE BUT RATHER A DEEPER IMMERSION INTO IT!!! BUILDING YOUR OWN SIMPLY ENHANCES THE EXPERIENCE.