Drive center sourcing

garys · Post by **garys** » Fri Nov 22, 2013 8:51 am

I just bought the Shopsmith live drive center when I needed it 25 years ago. I've never been sorry I bought the right one. I've used it with no issues for the last 25 years.

brad_nalor · Post by **brad_nalor** » Sun Dec 15, 2013 11:25 pm

I realize this is a month old thread but thought it appropriate to share about centers (rotating or not). Even though the SS accepts centers with a MT2, there is an important difference in the angle and type of center point. For metal working, it often has a more narrow acute angle vs. one for woodworking. Additionally and most important, a woodworking center has an outer cup. You don't want to use a metal turning center for wood as it easily splits it. The center for wood version with cup helps prevent splitting.

skou · Post by **skou** » Sun Dec 15, 2013 11:43 pm

Brad, the drive center has to mount on the spindle, and requires a 5/8ths hole with a set screw.

It is only the tailstock that will mount a #2 Morse (MT2) taper. Here a live (bearing) center is better, in most cases, than a dead (you'l need to lubricate that end of the spindle) center.

I've used both types of tailstock centers, and the live center has always been my choice.

steve

brad_nalor · Post by **brad_nalor** » Mon Dec 16, 2013 7:18 pm

skou wrote:Brad, the drive center has to mount on the spindle, and requires a 5/8ths hole with a set screw.

It is only the tailstock that will mount a #2 Morse (MT2) taper. Here a live (bearing) center is better, in most cases, than a dead (you'l need to lubricate that end of the spindle) center.

I've used both types of tailstock centers, and the live center has always been my choice.

steve

Steve- I realize that and was only referring to the tailstock centers. Agree with you on a live rotating center but would not recommend one designed for metal use on wood stock.

Wood version (notice the cup which prevents end split or the stock from gradual loosening while turning).

For metal (a wedge / point without an outer cup)

terrydowning · Post by **terrydowning** » Tue Dec 17, 2013 11:16 am

I have a 60 degree center (I use it for pens) since I'm cheap, I made a cup to attach over the point and work as a cup center.

kenbu · Post by **kenbu** » Tue Dec 17, 2013 6:28 pm

For those a bit less frugal

, PSI sells a cup adapter for the metalworking live center. http://www.pennstateind.com/store/LCENLTC.html.

Ken

kenbu · Post by **kenbu** » Tue Dec 17, 2013 6:28 pm

For those a bit less frugal

, PSI sells a cup adapter for the metalworking live center. http://www.pennstateind.com/store/LCENLTC.html.

Ken

MikeG · Post by **MikeG** » Wed Dec 18, 2013 8:48 am

kenbu wrote:For those a bit less frugal , PSI sells a cup adapter for the metalworking live center. http://www.pennstateind.com/store/LCENLTC.html.

Ken

I have one of these and it works very well. It keeps my live center from becoming a splitting wedge.

c2h6o · Post by **c2h6o** » Mon Aug 18, 2014 4:16 pm

For many non-SS lathes, the live center is a device that with a turn wheel that allows for very good seating of the wood object to be turned. Does anyone know if there is such a thing made for a ShopSmith.

JPG · Post by **JPG** » Mon Aug 18, 2014 4:25 pm

c2h6o wrote:For many non-SS lathes, the live center is a device that with a turn wheel that allows for very good seating of the wood object to be turned. Does anyone know if there is such a thing made for a ShopSmith.

The SS quill provides the same function at the drive end.

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Drive center sourcing

Live Centers with Adjustment Wheel