INSTRUCTIONS FOR USING THE SHAPESHIFTER TOOL AND PEN MANDREL
The Shapeshifter off center tool is like no other tool. It is screwed to the spindle and
then a scroll chuck is fastened to it. The scroll chuck holds the wood. The amount of
off center is determined by the number of turns applied to the cross screw.
To use the Shapeshifter off center tool, you will first need to install a spindle adapter on
the back side of the tool. The threads on the back of the tool are 38 x 3.5 millimeter.
This is the same as a Nova Chuck. Install the appropriate adapter to the spindle on your
head stock.
For example, your head stock could be 1 inch x 8 thread or 1 ¼ inch x 8 thread. Once
the adapter is inserted into the Shapeshifter off center tool, screw the tool onto your
head stock.
You will now need to install an adapter to go from the back of your scroll chuck to
the 1 inch x 8 thread on the face(front) of the Shapeshifter off center tool. Now the tool is
mounted to your lathe and you are ready to start.
We will start by turning a three sided object. Using a tenon, mount a 6 inch long piece
of wood to your scroll chuck. Make sure the scroll chuck is loose on the 1 inch x 8 thread.
Using a quarter inch Allen wrench, turn the cross screw, which is located on the
outside of the tool at the 180 degree mark. Turn the tool by hand to check if the wood
is on center. Once you have done this, it may be necessary to turn the cross screw
counter clockwise or clockwise to bring the wood back to center. Turn the cross screw
8 turns counter clockwise. Count your turns carefully so that you can bring it back to
center later. Now tighten the scroll chuck to the face of the Shapeshifter tool. Before
you start the lathe, turn the wood and the tool by hand to check the distance from tool
rest. Adjust the tool rest accordingly. Set the lathe on the lowest speed and start your
lathe. Engage the tool carefully to the wood to make the first side of your object. Move
your gouge along your tool rest to create a flat side on your wood. Turn the lathe off
and using a marker, put a mark on your wood lined up with the zero on the face of the
tool. Loosen the wood in the scroll chuck and rotate the wood until the mark on the
wood is lined up with the 120 degree mark on the face of the tool. Retighten the scroll
chuck and restart your lathe. Turn another flat on the wood like you did before.
Stop the lathe and loosen the wood and turn the wood to line up your mark with the
240 degree mark on the tool. Retighten the scroll chuck and restart your lathe and
turn the final side.
HINTS:
Adjust your speed for the best balance.
When you are first starting to learn how to use this tool, it may be easier to use a large roughing gouge.
Watch your shadows by using a bright light. This will enable you to see the other sides.
To achieve straight lines where your lines meet, remove the same amount of material from all sides.
Sanding can be done on the lathe using a slow speed and a power sander.
To turn a pen on the mandrel, it is easier to turn it round on a mandrel and shape the
ends to size before starting to turn the sides.
Start by removing the scroll chuck if attached.
Screw on the 1 inch x 8 thread nut. Keep it loose until later.
Screw on the Pendexer and tighten securely.
Place the pen blank on the mandrel with appropriate spacers.
Adjust the cross screw to the desired offset. Tighten the 1 inch by 8 thread nut.
Set the Pendexer alignment marks with each being on 3.
Now start the lathe on the slowest speed and increase to a safe speed.
Remove material very slowly until you are comfortable with the operation.
You are not removing very much material. In most cases you are removing be-
tween 1/32-1/16 inch of wood. Tight grained wood works best.
You can use a power sander or a large gouge to remove the wood.
Once you have achieved the desired shape, grasp the outside of the Pendexer and pull outward and rotate to the next indexing location.
1 dot, 120 degrees=three sided
2 dots, 90 degrees=four sided
To turn 6 sides, use 60, 120, 180, 240, and then 300 degrees.
Note: The 60 degree and 300 degree marks are not present. Counting the number
of turns on the cross screw will bring you back to the center going the other way.
For making bottle stoppers you will need to adapt the Pendexer.
First loosen the set screw of the outer section and remove.
Next remove the threaded section.
Remove the spring.
Now you will reassemble these parts on the 3 ½ inch bolt. The first part that is put
on is the spring. The next part to go on is the threaded section. The final part to
go on is the outer section that has the set screw on it.
Realign set screw with indentation on the bolt and re tighten with the allen
wrench provided.
It is now ready to accept anything that can be turned on a ¼ inch mandrel. It can
be modified to a 3/8 inch mandrel by sliding on the 3/8 inch adapter that is supplied in the kit. Tighten it to the ¼ inch mandrel with the set screw.