Shopsmith Forums

I'm wondering when people use the two different center's. I've read where some say to use a Live Center only. Dead Center turning is old fashioned.

I start with a Dead Center to get the piece balanced and started. Then once balanced and dried a few days I finish with a Live Center. I figure it saves the bearing in the Center.

Any thought?

Tom

e2512 wrote:I'm wondering when people use the two different center's. I've read where some say to use a Live Center only. Dead Center turning is old fashioned.

I start with a Dead Center to get the piece balanced and started. Then once balanced and dried a few days I finish with a Live Center. I figure it saves the bearing in the Center.

Any thought?

Tom

I doubt it has any effect on the bearing unless you live to 150+. I have a SS 10ER that is 65 years old that has the original bearings in the head stock. I dare say the head stock bearings have many more hours on them than a live center.

Once I bought my live center, I never used the dead center again. I just prefer the live center. Everybody has their personal preferences.

I don't know that there is any advantage to one over the other so long as you use them both properly. Of course the dead center is in need of a lubrication and if you don't do that it gets hot enough to burn the wood. In either case you don't want to have too much pressure on them, a common mistake with inexperienced turners and well others too.....

When I learned to turn in HS we only had dead centers and if live ones existed back then I have no idea. We had no chucks either, either spur or face plates for the driving end. So long as you prep the centers you don't have to have excessive force on the tail stock. Excessive force will shorten the life of the bearings and cause them to run hot. If your live tail piece is HOT you are not doing it right.

If you like the results you are getting there certainly isn't a problem with doing as you are, but like wise more then likely not much of an advantage either.

Ed

How much turning you do makes a difference too. For the tiny amount of turning I have done in the last decade about anything would do but I hope to do many times more coming up so I will pick up a live center soon.
I have had a live center for my metal lathe for a long time. I have not used it a lot in the last decade either but have hopes for this summer.
Sometimes yo-yo-ing health issues keep you repeating the same hopes over a few times.



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e2512 wrote:I'm wondering when people use the two different center's. I've read where some say to use a Live Center only. Dead Center turning is old fashioned.

I start with a Dead Center to get the piece balanced and started. Then once balanced and dried a few days I finish with a Live Center. I figure it saves the bearing in the Center.

Any thought?

Tom

Tom, I've used a dead center for
years. was REAL glad to upgrade.

The MotherShip has live centers for (guessing)
about $30 or so. HF, about 22.00. HF has them
right now, while I'd have to wait some from
Dayton.

steve

Edit, $42 dollars from MoM.

/IMO If your system is working for you then why change ?

I don't see it adding any life to your live center,,however,,we dont know what sort of live center you have,, some live centers don't have replaceable bearings ,some ya replace the center and they just free spin , others ya unsnap a snap ring and replace the bearing.