The P.L.S. - Pin-Lok Mandrel operates by holding the turning stock with a pin located inside the block of wood. The theory of the P.L.S. is described in the picture below. Think of it as a rolling wedge that stops the call blank from spinning on the mandrel rod.
* #2 Morse Taper Type shown. Standard mandrel rod sizes available: .500” (1/2), .5625 (9/16), and .625” (5/8). Custom sizes are available, contact me for more information and pricing. Below surface cuts are available for total call sanding access. Works most duck and goose call blanks, and wall thickness.
The pin lock type setup simply uses the supplied pin placed in the pin slot, and the bored call blank slid over the two parts (I bore my blanks with my lathe, a taper shank drill bit, and a 4 Jaw chuck, all of which are shown on my website). Once located in the preferred location, rotate the blank in the opposite direction of rotation of your lathe while holding the mandrel holder stationary. As you rotate the blank (usually backwards or away from you), the friction of the ID of the bore and the OD of the pin cause the pin to roll on the flat surface it is sitting on. As it rolls it wedges itself between the mandrel rod and the wood, locking it in place. As you can see in the picture below, as the wood rotates, the pin rolls into an increasing smaller area which causes it to wedge, and hold the blank in place. One side note: the wedge effect will work in either direction, but if you lock it in one direction, turning the wood the opposite direction will unlock it and possibly move. Be sure if you are turning your work piece by hand; turn the holder rather than the wood so the piece remains locked in place. Though you can remount your call if it does get turned the wrong way, it may not re-lock in exactly the same spot and may become off center as far as .030 to .050”(in extreme cases), which is more than enough to cause issues with thinner walled calls. So be careful. Custom sizes and designs are available, contact Wade for pricing availability and further information.
The Pricing is as follows:
Pin Lok System:
#2 MT - .625” holder - .625” bore - w/o Recessed Cuts
$55.00
* Prices vary by size, custom sizes are generally more.
07/04/2008 12:36:23 PM