Shopsmith Forums

Hi all, I decided to try out the lathe for the first time yesterday on a scrap piece of fir I had, and it was a little too much fun. The only thing was the dead center that came with my machine gets really hot (I used bees wax on it).
Anyway, I ordered a nova live center kit, and my question is, do I pound/tap it into the turning piece the same way as the dead center? This seems like it could hurt the bearings or something. Sorry if this is a dumb question, my Google searches weren't very fruitful.
Regards,
Robert.

You may need to pound in the drive center, but there is no need to pound in the tail stock center, dead or live. Make sure that the center point is sharp, and just apply pressure with the quill.

Mike

Ok thanks, I was following the instructions in the woodworking with power tools or whatever that came with it, and it had stated to tap both sides in separately before mounting. Thanks again!

Instructions also recommend drilling a 1/8" diameter hole, 1/4" deep in each end of the piece to be turned.

This way there is no pounding needed. Also, dead center may not get so hot.