These mandrels are patterned after the ones Tom Kirkman has made for himself for many years. The "TK" Turning Mandrels are now made at Backlash Tools, and every mandrel is inspected to the highest quality standards before it is shipped out. Each mandrel is hand-checked on the lathe for straightness with a dial indicator and every one of them has .002 or less of run out when shipped. The mandrels are repeatedly checked to run straight and true then polished prior to shipment.

These mandrels are designed and specifically made for turning cork, EVA and wood grips. These mandrels are 14” long with a shallow shoulder cut 1” long at one end and will accept a 60 degree live center at the other end. Each mandrel is made by using hardened steel. The 1” long shallow shoulder will butt up against the chuck jaw face and prevent the mandrel from slipping through the chuck and loosening when pressure is applied from the tailstock.

The 14 inch length of these mandrels will accommodate most grips commonly used on fly, spinning and casting rods. The shorter mandrel also helps on the flex of the mandrels. Please be careful not to drop or bang them around, as this can bend them enough to prevent perfectly concentric turning.