Apparently Penn State no longer carries the small 5/8 in. Steb center chuck insert, only the larger 1 in. model. Can anyone suggest a similarly low-priced alternative?
Ken
5/8 Steb center insert?
Moderator: admin
Hi,
I have one of the penn state 5/8" stebs centers. I don't know how it happens but I find I'm mostly un-happy with their tools. I know a lot of guys think they are great but I'm not one of them.
The only tools I have been happy with are the two stebs centers.
About 6 weeks ago I was putting away tools and to make my own excuses my hands were cold. I was trying to get the lid off the tube I store the stebs in, sat the small one I was trying to put away on one of my red under shopsmith cabinets for just a moment to use two hands to get the container open. When I picked up the center it slipped out of my hands and fell. I can't be sure of the distance but my guess is it fell from about 16". Not a good fall either, landed on the teeth on one side! Total my fault but it is a mess now. I'm going to try and fix it but I have my doubts....
I started looking around in my catalogs for a replacement. I think if I do need a replacement (75% chance I will) I think I'll go with a 1/2" Stebdrive which will cost about $50. Not cheap! But it is the real thing (by robert sorby)
BTW I've found that the larger size seems more useful then the smaller until it becomes too big to use.
For what it worth here is a picture. The damaged teeth are to top it looks much worse in real life.
[ATTACH]23487[/ATTACH]
Ed
I have one of the penn state 5/8" stebs centers. I don't know how it happens but I find I'm mostly un-happy with their tools. I know a lot of guys think they are great but I'm not one of them.
The only tools I have been happy with are the two stebs centers.
About 6 weeks ago I was putting away tools and to make my own excuses my hands were cold. I was trying to get the lid off the tube I store the stebs in, sat the small one I was trying to put away on one of my red under shopsmith cabinets for just a moment to use two hands to get the container open. When I picked up the center it slipped out of my hands and fell. I can't be sure of the distance but my guess is it fell from about 16". Not a good fall either, landed on the teeth on one side! Total my fault but it is a mess now. I'm going to try and fix it but I have my doubts....
I started looking around in my catalogs for a replacement. I think if I do need a replacement (75% chance I will) I think I'll go with a 1/2" Stebdrive which will cost about $50. Not cheap! But it is the real thing (by robert sorby)
BTW I've found that the larger size seems more useful then the smaller until it becomes too big to use.
For what it worth here is a picture. The damaged teeth are to top it looks much worse in real life.
[ATTACH]23487[/ATTACH]
Ed
kenbu wrote:Apparently Penn State no longer carries the small 5/8 in. Steb center chuck insert, only the larger 1 in. model. Can anyone suggest a similarly low-priced alternative?
Ken
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Sorry to hear about it, Ed. Besides the Sorby, the only other option I found mentioned on this forum is the Oneway Safe Drive for Shopsmith, which is a smooth cup style drive with a spring-loaded point and attaches directly to the drive shaft (doesn't need a chuck to hold it). Unfortunately, it also runs about $50 with shipping. 
Still hoping for a less expensive option...
Ken
Still hoping for a less expensive option...
Ken