The east way to get a centre out if the thread protector isn't fitted is to use your four jaw chuck. Just clamp the jaws tight on the drive centre you are trying to remove and lock the spindle. The chuck gives you something substantial to get hold of to loosen the drive centre! :)
If you have plenty of time on your hands and the machinery to resurface any rusted/pitted parts, re-sleeve any rusted holes, recut bearings, rethread etc. etc. it could be seen as a challenge. To me it just looks like a waste of time as at the end of the day you would still have a lathe way...
End grain oak is going to let any liquid through so you would need to apply a finish that sealed the wood completely. That's why oak barrels have ends which are side grain!
The optimum speed for pen turning is around 6000-10000rpm but I haven't seen any woodturning lathes that do that! I used to have one that went up to 5000 but I got rid of it a long time ago.
3000rpm will allow you to turn a pen reasonably quickly, any less and you will just need to take more...
I have used the Honeywell Bionic visors for many years and replace them regularly as they only have a two year shelf life. This time round I bought some Bolle Sphere visors because they are high impact rated (EN166-A) rather than the medium impact rating (EN166-B) given to the Bionic visors. The...
I wouldn't use stickers. The glue may be good now but how long will it remain stuck in place?
I have a heated brand but rarely use it because I found it too much of a faff!
On the things worth signing (I don't sign the cheaper stuff!) I have always used a fine permanent marker and with...
Duncan, you can use a pin chuck if you need to hold smaller drill bits. They are pretty cheap.
Richard, you don't need a drawbar if you are using the chuck in an application which is applying pressure back into the spindle - like when you are drilling!
I would suggest you go for the 16mm chuck as the extra size comes in useful sometimes. Also, I prefer the keyless as they are easier to use, no key to lose and grip better than the keyed chucks.