Lathe Rattling: Bending Mandrels with Saver or is it something else?

[ThinkingAndTurning]

Hey everyone, I'm a newb pen-turner. Got a mini-lathe from Penn State Industries, and I bent my mandrel shaft on some of my first pens. So I bought a mandrel saver, and a new mandrel shaft. After turning a pen last night, it started rattling. I tried tightening the mandrel with wrenches that came with the mandrel and shaft, but that didn't help either. Is it possible to mess up the Mandrel itself? Did I buy a mandrel shaft that was busted from the beginning? 

 

Any help on troubleshooting a rattling lathe would be helpful. Here is the mandrel I'm using. Just ordered  a replacement from Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B073FB35LQ?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details

 

Thanks for your help in advance! 

[Inspector]

Welcome to the forum. While many of the pen makers here may have started with kit pens most are making their pen almost entirely from scratch. There is another forum, International Association of Penturners, that has far more information on kit pens. There are many members with  experience with that lathe, mandrels and Mandrel Savers that will offer help diagnosing your issues and providing a solution. https://www.penturners.org 

 

Pete

[ThinkingAndTurning]

Thanks Pete!