Help with lathe center

tadd · Post by **tadd** » Sat Jun 11, 2011 12:21 pm

I have a Mark 5, bought early 1980's.

Not having used it for a while, I started a lathe operation only to find that the picture in "Power Tool Working for Everyone" on page 156 (bottom right) shows a different "spur-center" than what I have.

The "powered" center I have has a wood screw inserted rather than a sharp pin. See the attached picture of both of my centers: the one on the left is the one I am questioning. Note it has a shoulder while the cup center on the right does not.

Also what I have is different from a picture of "standard attachments" in my owner's manual on page 4, item #9, described as a "drive center".

One manual suggests driving the center on the main spindle into the wood using a soft mallet...perhaps the center has "sharp spurs". Is it a supplied item or an optional accessory? In any event, I do not have that either.

So have I misplaced a part or parts? I am neither a knowledgeable woodworker nor lathe operator, as my words above probably reveal.

I appreciate any help given. Thanks.

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SDSSmith · Post by **SDSSmith** » Sat Jun 11, 2011 1:57 pm

The item on the left is a screw center....drill a hole in center of the blank then screw the center into the hole. The item on the right is the business end of a live center. You are missing the morse taper portion with the threaded end that screws into what you are showing.

The basic mark v comes with a drive/spur center and a dead center. Neither shows in the picture......better start looking in drawers and the Shopsmith 'box'

tadd · Post by **tadd** » Sat Jun 11, 2011 6:46 pm

I thank SDSSmith for his reply. Also I followed the similar threads to my posting and found a picture of four centers: (see "attached images" below)

I think my picture in original thread shows the C and D centers marked in the picture just displayed, although the my "C" is shown without the shaft. So my question is, assuming what I said is correct, are the centers marked A and B available from SS? I have a feeling somehow they are out of production because of threads I've read.

Any further help is appreciated. Thanks

SDSSmith · Post by **SDSSmith** » Sat Jun 11, 2011 6:56 pm

Those centers are still part of the basic Mark V/VII package. Shopsmith still has them listed here and Feebay has them. Though I prefer the live cup center (C) to the dead cup center (B). Hopfully, you have the rest of the live center.

paulmcohen · Post by **paulmcohen** » Sun Jun 12, 2011 5:45 pm

Depending on what you are turning and how serious you get you will most likely replace both the drive and tail-stock centers. The tail-stock center (which you have a piece of) is a standard part for most lathes. You just look for a #2 Morse taper tail-stock center. I strongly recommend a live center and you can buy inexpensive kits with lots of interchangeable tips made in China or better ones made in USA at any woodworking store or on-line.

For the drive end you most likely will want to get a chuck and most chucks include a screw center and many also include a spur adapter as well.

Spur drive centers are used for spindle turning and they allow you to get the ends without wasting material, if you use a chuck part of the material is covered by the jaws and you don't want to get close to them.

jcraigie · Post by **jcraigie** » Sun Jun 12, 2011 7:09 pm

I've got an extra dead center, if you want it it's yours (just pay the shipping). PM me or send me an email.