Chooseing the right center for Lathe
 

Need some of your opinions.Thanxs.

are u talkin bout the chuck?
I have a 4 prong and a 2 prong, I grind the sides and sharpen the ends and I would get one with a removable pin so U can. pull the pin. I pulled my pin and put a sharper point on it.
the ones I got was 19 bucks a pop and I had to do this to make them usable, they was dull But the are holding up well. You want a good bite on the wood.

I would say a good quality chuck that You can afford will Be the best bet.
on the other end a good live center with a pin I guess and made with a good bearing.
I use Jet and they have 2 chucks I seen so far,there is one that is 3/4 and its nice and then another that is larger But the blades that dig in the wood are smaller. I like chucks with blades that grab alot of wood. or are those blades are called something else But I cant remeber:smash:
Maybe some of The Pro Builders will chime in and Help to
I just use what works for Me.

Can you elaborate a little? what is wrong with the one that came with it?

Thank you BM,exactly what I was looking for.Slip,only came with 1.
I guess they call the 1 in the headstock spindle the drive center or spur center,this is the 1 I'm missing,& I see there is a couple diff. types,I was unsure if I should get a spring loaded or not,2 prong or 4 prong.
I've only used my neighbors machine that is all set up,& he has all diff. types,I use the 2 prong in his,just because thats what is in it when I use it. I ask no questions,& am getting used to it.But now I'm setting mine up finnally.Its an old cast iron set up with the seperate motor that turns with a belt.What I would call an antique,but I got it for nothin,so I can't complain.Thanxs BM

cool You will find that the old lathe may be solid and to Your liking:)
links
http://www3.woodcraft.com/Woodturnin...rking/3841.htm

http://www.rockler.com/ecom7/showoff...D=481&CATID=84


http://www.bucksturners.com/Links.html

http://www.woodcentral.com/links/Tur...Suppliers.html

Oh Ya dont forget what size taper You got, Morse 1, 2, ect....

http://www.packardwoodworks.com/

You can spin down TREES on those old cast iron lathes. :happy: Just be sure you fasten it down good, I have about 75 pounds of sand bags on the bottom shelf of my lathe bench to soften the vibration.

I have the larger drive center that came with my lathe and I got a smaller maybe 1/2 or 5/8 dia one so I can turn down tot eh ends of my blanks with a skew chisel.

Thanxs guys
 

:D

http://miva3.synergydns.net/Merchant...hes-acc-dc-stb
never seen one of these, wonder how it is

I see em in the conover's book,maybe I'll try it & see how they work.Thanxs again

I am a loser:smash:

BM, I use a Stebb center, good stuff. The point is spring loaded so you can actually loosen the tailstock with the lathe running and stop the wood. I like it because I predrill and the oint centers in the hole better than a regular spur drive.

Thanks for that post OZ, I am going to look into it too. :)

OZ, that's a great suggestion. Looks like it will solve a centering problem I likewise had sometimes with pre-drilled blanks. I ordered one this morning. Thanks!... :) --OJ