An effective mandrel for turning napkin rings and other annular objects can be made as follows. Choose a suitable hardwood (such as hard maple) and mount the wood to the faceplate with the grain oriented perpendicular to the axis. Turn down the end of the mandrel to give a slip fit with the workpiece, leaving a larger-diameter locating shoulder on the base as shown in the sketch. Next, drill and tap the end of the mandrel for a tapered pipe plug of suitable size. First select the recommended tap drill size for the pipe thread and drill into the end of the mandrel 3/4 in. or so deeper than the locating shoulder. Then tap the hole so that a pipe plug will thread in halfway. The resulting threads, though rough in appearance, are quite strong if the grain is oriented as suggested. To complete the mandrel, cut two crossed saw kerfs to the same depth as the hole.

To use, slide on the workpiece and screw the pipe plug in the hole. The plug will expand the mandrel, gripping the workpiece firmly.

Edward F. Groh, Naperville, Ill. and Charles E. Cohn, Clarendon Hills, Ill.

Fine Woodworking Magazine, August 1980 No. 23

Fine Woodworking Recommended Products

Double Sided Tape

A thin woven core makes XFasten tape strong yet not too thick (0.008 in.), and helps it hold powerfully without being difficult to peel off.

Buy at Amazon

JessEm Mite-R Excel II Miter Gauge

The gauge has a quick and easy method for fitting the guide bar precisely to your tablesaw’s miter slot. This means the gauge can be recalibrated if necessary for continued accuracy. The face of the protractor head can be adjusted square to the table and also square to the guide bar. This ensures accurate cuts, and it, too, can be readjusted if the need arises. The protractor head has stainless-steel knobs and fittings and high-contrast, easy-to-read white numbers and increments.

Buy at Amazon

Starrett 12-in. combination square

This accurate, robust, well-machined, easy-to-read combo square is as great as ever.

Buy at Amazon