spindle splitting

[tracker65]

I am having a problem of splitting the end of my hard maple spindles when driving the drive center into the end with a mallet.Would it be safe to pre drill a pilot hole in the end or would that even help? Could use some advice. Thanks Carl.

[Skizzity]

I bandsaw an X in the end. Well, make sure they are perpendicular.

[ERLover]

I am not a turner for 50 years but I think both would work to just give the wood some relief, what I know about wood.

[JPG]

Pilot hole? But of course.

"X" make sure they pass through the pilot hole as well as being perpendicular. The "X" need not be very deep.

[charlese]

recommended procedure is a 1/8" hole 1/4" deep both ends - with an X at right angles sawn about 1/8" deep on the drive side

[everettdavis]

Use a back saw, a hacksaw, even a coping saw if you don't have a bandsaw, using the drive center marking to locate the cuts described above.

You have to engage the teeth of the drive center in the stock to spin in reliably. Live center in tailstock is also my preference.

Everett

[wa2crk]

Use a center with a cup. A cup center I believe they are called in the tailstock.The cup prevents the wood from expanding outward and splitting. Any hardwoods require a pilot hole.
Bill V

[Ed in Tampa]

I use the Shopsmith center but I drove out the center point and ground down the end to make a point with a much sharper angle. I made sure I did not grind down the base so it still fits tight in the center. It still centers the drive but it does not split the wood.

[moggymatt]

Use a center with a cup. A cup center I believe they are called in the tailstock.The cup prevents the wood from expanding outward and splitting. Any hardwoods require a pilot hole.
Bill V

Bill, is there a cupped, drive center available for the Shopsmith?

[rpd]

If you have a chuck you can also get a Steb Like Center that will work.
They are nice because the point is spring loaded, that way if you get a catch the piece will stop turning but not fly off.