I’m having trouble finding anyone who currently sells 10”-12” long mandrels to turn cork. I searched a bit, but mostly everything I found was from a few years ago. If anyone can point me in the right direction I’d greatly appreciate it.

Vince,
I simplify.
I use the largest possible mandrels, by pre drilling my grip pieces before putting them on the mandrel.
I ream and or drill each piece to size, to match the location of the piece on the rod blank.

Then, i start with a piece of threaded rod, that is sized to fit the smallest hole in any of the handle pieces. Then, I build up the rest of the mandrel with masking tape.

Finally, I slip it all together, put a washer and nut at one end of the threaded rod and a washer and nut at the other end of the threaded rod.

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But once I have figured out how long I need the threaded rod to be and to be able to accommodate other handles as well - I will use my chop saw that is equipped with an abrasive cut off wheel which slices through steel like a not knife through butter.

Then, I put the threaded rod in my lathe and use a 60 degree center point drill to create a perfectly centered 60 degree drill point hole in the end of each of the pieces of threaded rod.
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When I put the threaded rod with the handle pieces glued together and clamped tight with the washers and nuts on each end - I use the chuck in the head stock as one end and use a 60 degree tapered point in the tail stock made tight to avoid any issues with the work when shaping the grip.

When complete, I take the washer and nuts off the threaded rod, and insert the threaded rod in a drill. Then, I put the drill in reverse and unscrew the finished grip from the threaded rod or mandrel.

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By the way, I never use 1/4 inch drill rod for this purpose because it is simply not stiff enough. That is why, I ream or drill the grip pieces to have larger hole centers that matches the needs of the rod blank in the finished handle.

Take care

Mudhole has 18" mandrels in a number of diameters.

Thanks very much for the replies, Roger and Phil. I guess I was hoping to pick up something shorter than the 18” ones so I wouldn’t need to pick up an extension for my lathe, but perhaps I should just bite the bullet and get one anyway.

Vince goehner Wrote:
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> Thanks very much for the replies, Roger and Phil.
> I guess I was hoping to pick up something shorter
> than the 18” ones so I wouldn’t need to pick
> up an extension for my lathe, but perhaps I should
> just bite the bullet and get one anyway.

Or just cut the 18" ones to the length you want.

Not sure what you are using to turn the cork, but on a lathe, you should be able to have the mandrels go through the chuck into the headstock, so that you utilize shorter lengths of the mandrel. Cutting them will be very difficult as they are hardened steel!

All thread will work for short mandrels.

Vince,
Learn to turn cork that is already epoxied to the blank.
Herb

You might consider using a coupler on the end of the threaded rod you intend to put in a three jaw chuck. It will prevent the threads from getting mucked up.
Scott

I have been using smooth aluminum rod in various diameters. 1/4 - 3/8 - 1/2” meet most all my needs. I have 3 different lengths in each one 3” - 5” - 10”... again they fit the majority of my builds. If they need a little snugness I just use a couple wraps of masking tape. Chuck it up in your lathe, drill or drill press and shape away. Been doing it this way for years now with no issues. Any hardware or HD will have what you need.

><))))">….><))))">….><))))">….Just Fish

Prior Lake Rod Building Guild
Instagram @pl_rod_building_guild

I bought a 1/4" x 12" stainless steel rod at the local Ace Hardware store. It won't have the end setup with a live center for a lathe. Worked for me because I use a drill motor and a bearing at other end for turning my handles (I put a small amount of tape on the rod so it fits the bearing). I typically buy the cork rings with 1/4" holes and after gluing them up they are plenty tight on the rod for turning - I just use paste wax to coat the rod and have never had a problem getting the finished handle off the rod.. A few rings are pretty darn snug and once in awhile I have to take a drill bit and using my fingers turn the bit make the hole slightly larger so I can get them on the rod easier.

Phil

Golden Witch sells some that are 8 1/2" and 10 3/4" long as a set. They are brass and hexagonal shape. I have had my set for 8 years or so and use the short one the most for fly rod grips. The cork will not spin on the mandrel, love mine.