mandrel

or man·dril

[ man-druhl ]

noun

, Machinery.

1. a shaft or bar the end of which is inserted into a workpiece to hold it during machining.
2. a spindle on which a circular saw or grinding wheel rotates.
3. the driving spindle in the headstock of a lathe.

mandrel

/ ˈmændrəl /

noun

1. a spindle on which a workpiece is supported during machining operations
2. a shaft or arbor on which a machining tool is mounted
3. the driving spindle in the headstock of a lathe
4. a miner's pick

Word History and Origins

Origin of mandrel¹

1510–20; perhaps akin to French mandrin

Word History and Origins

Origin of mandrel¹

C16: perhaps related to French mandrin lathe

Example Sentences

The coil can be of any size, and to make it, resistance wire is wound around a piece of wire used as a mandrel.

From Project Gutenberg

As the mandrel with the ferrule passed through the tin, the metal was shaped exactly to the mandrel.

From Project Gutenberg

The saw is put on the mandrel at an angle, as will be seen, and should be run at a high rate of speed.

From Project Gutenberg

The mandrel should be made slightly conical in order to facilitate withdrawal.

From Project Gutenberg

This method is very handy with small lenses; the mandrel is turned, and the lens adjusted by hand till the images are immovable.

From Project Gutenberg