Shopsmith Forums

Posted: **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.

[ATTACH]13322[/ATTACH]

Posted: **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'

Posted: **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

Posted: **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.

Posted: **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.

Posted: **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.

Shopsmith Forums

Help with lathe center

Help with lathe center