Mandrel is a term with three widely accepted meanings — a metal shaping form, the workpiece clamp on a lathe, and a post or shaft used to secure and support various power tool attachments. When describing a metal shaping tool, the term refers to solid or hollow metal forms that bend or distort materials ranging from sheet metal to blown glass into a desired shape. When applied to lathes, the term refers to a purpose built clamp used to secure a specific workpiece in the lathe chuck for machining. Power tool mandrels typically consist of solid metal posts with machined shoulders and locking nuts designed to secure sanding or grinding discs and buffing pads in drills and other power driven devices.
