A recommended live center?

[David TParticipant @davidt96864]

I must be the only person still using a solid (dead) centre. It's a half-centre at that. I've got a no-name running centre but I find more often than not it gets in the way.

I'm surprised the pedants haven't pointed out yet that a "live" centre is the one in the headstock. The centre in the tailstock is not driven, therefore it's the "dead" centre, regardless of whether it's rotating or not……

[SteveIParticipant @stevei]

Posted by Michael Gilligan on 05/03/2018 09:57:59:

Posted by ega on 05/03/2018 09:41:54:

Gepy (Swiss) – good but expensive.

.

+1

… actually, make that +2

Male and female versions are both superb.

MichaelG.

**LINK**

**LINK**

Edited By Michael Gilligan on 05/03/2018 09:59:47

Make that a +3. Didn't GHT himself write something along the lines that a "rotating center is an essential accessory for everyone that can afford it.". I would add to that by suggesting the word quality should be at the front.

I had a second hand Rohm center and after using it on a good lathe I noticed a visual striping in the finish. I then got lucky on a second hand female center gepy and the finish vanished. Later to banish a major milestone birthday blues I got a male center gepy and I have not regretted it. One thing to note the standard GEPY has quite a short stub on the end and does not eject on all tailstocks. They used to do a variant P/N that had a longer stub. I don't know if they still do. It is of course a simple matter to turn up a replacement as they simply screw in and out.

Steve

[Anonymous]

Posted by David T on 05/03/2018 17:22:15:

I'm surprised the pedants haven't pointed out yet that a "live" centre is the one in the headstock. The centre in the tailstock is not driven, therefore it's the "dead" centre, regardless of whether it's rotating or not……

Which is why I studiously avoided mentioning it by name in my post. But in the modern world you're not allowed to upset someone by pointing out the error of their ways.

Andrew

[Neil WyattModerator @neilwyatt]

Posted by David T on 05/03/2018 17:22:15:

I must be the only person still using a solid (dead) centre. It's a half-centre at that. I've got a no-name running centre but I find more often than not it gets in the way.

I'm surprised the pedants haven't pointed out yet that a "live" centre is the one in the headstock. The centre in the tailstock is not driven, therefore it's the "dead" centre, regardless of whether it's rotating or not……

I do

I also have a square centre, which I'm sure someone will tell you is for optimal results when used in opposition to a four jaw chuck

Neil

[Michael GilliganParticipant @michaelgilligan61133]

Posted by Neil Wyatt on 05/03/2018 19:31:00:

I also have a square centre, which I'm sure someone will tell you is for optimal results when used in opposition to a four jaw chuck

.

Only if it's a revolving one ​

MichaelG.

[Johnboy25Participant @johnboy25]

Skoda is my preferred live center…

Ian P – I had the same problem. I turned up a button with a location pip on it then Loctited it in with some Loctite 601 if my memory serves me. It ejects without any problem. 👍

Edited By Johnboy25 on 05/03/2018 20:31:18

[Neil WyattModerator @neilwyatt]

[EmgeeParticipant @emgee]

Neil, works well I guess if you want to repair a damaged centre drilled hole.

Emgee

[Ady1Participant @ady1]

Make your own for general heavy duty work and use a dead centre for high precision finishing off

you can get a lot of additional support from a fixed steady

[Ian S CParticipant @iansc]

Twenty or so years ago when I first got my lathe I made a number of rolling centers both with #1 MT, and #2 MT, I sold them as suitable for wood turning, I also made driving centers in the same sizes. There were anumber of designs, as I just used the bearings that I had.

Ian S C

[Stephen MillwardParticipant @stephenmillward99920]

I still use a solid centre. I've tried a rotating centre but I actually find a solid centre easier, as you know when it's adjusted just right.

[Michael GilliganParticipant @michaelgilligan61133]

Posted by Emgee on 06/03/2018 10:16:05:

Neil, works well I guess if you want to repair a damaged centre drilled hole.

Emgee

.

Goodell Pratt listed a square centre like that [in a small size]

It is, I believe, intended as a driver.

MichaelG.

[Mick HenshallParticipant @mickhenshall99321]

I as well only use centres full and a half, did buy a live one morse 2 but didn't seem to sit well in tailstock taper

Mick

[Neil WyattModerator @neilwyatt]

Posted by Michael Gilligan on 06/03/2018 10:55:20:

Posted by Emgee on 06/03/2018 10:16:05:

Neil, works well I guess if you want to repair a damaged centre drilled hole.

Emgee

.

Goodell Pratt listed a square centre like that [in a small size]

It is, I believe, intended as a driver.

MichaelG.

According to my 'Engineering Workshop Practice' of 1936 (1952 reprint):

Square centres D and half centres [this is one like a d-bit not with a small cone left on the end] are used for previously centre-drilled work [presumably with a normal drill]. They are not so efficient for this work as the "Slocomb"-type combination drill and countersink seen at F and consequently they are rapidly falling into disuse.

One potential use is making small centre drillings on models where a slocumb is not available in an ideal size or is considered too fragile/risky to use.

Neil

[blowlampParticipant @blowlamp]

Posted by David T on 05/03/2018 17:22:15:

I must be the only person still using a solid (dead) centre. It's a half-centre at that. I've got a no-name running centre but I find more often than not it gets in the way.

I'm surprised the pedants haven't pointed out yet that a "live" centre is the one in the headstock. The centre in the tailstock is not driven, therefore it's the "dead" centre, regardless of whether it's rotating or not……

Being a pedant, I must point out that a running centre is driven by the workpiece.

[David TParticipant @davidt96864]

Posted by blowlamp on 06/03/2018 13:23:34:

Posted by David T on 05/03/2018 17:22:15:

I must be the only person still using a solid (dead) centre. It's a half-centre at that. I've got a no-name running centre but I find more often than not it gets in the way.

I'm surprised the pedants haven't pointed out yet that a "live" centre is the one in the headstock. The centre in the tailstock is not driven, therefore it's the "dead" centre, regardless of whether it's rotating or not……

Being a pedant, I must point out that a running centre is driven by the workpiece.

Haha, touché

[Michael GilliganParticipant @michaelgilligan61133]

Posted by David T on 06/03/2018 16:23:02:

Posted by blowlamp on 06/03/2018 13:23:34:

Posted by David T on 05/03/2018 17:22:15:

… therefore it's the "dead" centre, regardless of whether it's rotating or not……

Being a pedant, I must point out that a running centre is driven by the workpiece.

Haha, touché

.

Well that's a let-down David

I thought you had already made some pre-emptive dismissal of blowlamps's argument, before he presented it … and now you just submit.

MichaelG.

[blowlampParticipant @blowlamp]

Posted by Michael Gilligan on 06/03/2018 16:42:57:

Posted by David T on 06/03/2018 16:23:02:

Posted by blowlamp on 06/03/2018 13:23:34:

Posted by David T on 05/03/2018 17:22:15:

… therefore it's the "dead" centre, regardless of whether it's rotating or not……

Being a pedant, I must point out that a running centre is driven by the workpiece.

Haha, touché

.

Well that's a let-down David

I thought you had already made some pre-emptive dismissal of blowlamps's argument, before he presented it … and now you just submit.

MichaelG.

 

 

 

The force is strong with this one.

Edited By blowlamp on 06/03/2018 17:18:39

[David TParticipant @davidt96864]

Posted by Michael Gilligan on 06/03/2018 16:42:57:

Well that's a let-down David

I thought you had already made some pre-emptive dismissal of blowlamps's argument, before he presented it … and now you just submit.

MichaelG.

 

 

 

I do apologise for my poor form. I shall try again:

Posted by blowlamp on 06/03/2018 13:23:34:

Posted by David T on 05/03/2018 17:22:15:

… therefore it's the "dead" centre, regardless of whether it's rotating or not……

Being a pedant, I must point out that a running centre is driven by the workpiece.

All of the running centres recommended thus far are, presumably, shipped in some kind of box and are certainly not engaged by "the workpiece". If a running centre is "live" by virtue of it being driven by the workpiece, then by definition it must be a "dead" centre until such time as the customer has received it and put it to use.

Once again I apologise for my earlier transgressance. I hope this satisfies the pedantic community

Edited By David T on 06/03/2018 18:30:08

[VicParticipant @vic]

I’ve heard these conversations before about live and dead centres. Whilst it makes sense both now and in the past to call a non rotating centre a “Drive” centre if it’s Driving the work piece (mounted in the head stock) calling it a “live” centre makes no sense in this day and age.

[Michael GilliganParticipant @michaelgilligan61133]

Posted by David T on 06/03/2018 18:28:43:

… All of the running centres recommended thus far are, presumably, shipped in some kind of box and are certainly not engaged by "the workpiece". If a running centre is "live" by virtue of it being driven by the workpiece, then by definition it must be a "dead" centre until such time as the customer has received it and put it to use.

Once again I apologise for my earlier transgressance. I hope this satisfies the pedantic community

.

Much better

MichaelG.

[blowlampParticipant @blowlamp]

Posted by David T on 06/03/2018 18:28:43:

Posted by Michael Gilligan on 06/03/2018 16:42:57:

Well that's a let-down David

I thought you had already made some pre-emptive dismissal of blowlamps's argument, before he presented it … and now you just submit.

MichaelG.

I do apologise for my poor form. I shall try again:

Posted by blowlamp on 06/03/2018 13:23:34:

Posted by David T on 05/03/2018 17:22:15:

… therefore it's the "dead" centre, regardless of whether it's rotating or not……

Being a pedant, I must point out that a running centre is driven by the workpiece.

All of the running centres recommended thus far are, presumably, shipped in some kind of box and are certainly not engaged by "the workpiece". If a running centre is "live" by virtue of it being driven by the workpiece, then by definition it must be a "dead" centre until such time as the customer has received it and put it to use.

Once again I apologise for my earlier transgressance. I hope this satisfies the pedantic community

Edited By David T on 06/03/2018 18:30:08

Your arguing skills are BOSS like!!…

… You'll fit in well around here.

Female tutor by any chance?

[Neil WyattModerator @neilwyatt]

It's worth reflecting that a 'dead centre lathe' was originally one without a spindle, just two opposed and non-rotating centres, like a watchmaker's turns or a bodger's lathe.

Neil

[Michael GilliganParticipant @michaelgilligan61133]

Posted by Neil Wyatt on 07/03/2018 09:05:02:

It's worth reflecting that a 'dead centre lathe' was originally one without a spindle, just two opposed and non-rotating centres, like a watchmaker's turns or a bodger's lathe.

Neil

.

… and is still used by fine watchmakers for the very best work.

The collets and bearings that we mortals take to be 'near perfect' are sometimes not good enough.

MichaelG.

[David TParticipant @davidt96864]

Posted by blowlamp on 06/03/2018 20:03:45:

Posted by David T on 06/03/2018 18:28:43:

Posted by Michael Gilligan on 06/03/2018 16:42:57:

Well that's a let-down David

I thought you had already made some pre-emptive dismissal of blowlamps's argument, before he presented it … and now you just submit.

MichaelG.

I do apologise for my poor form. I shall try again:

Posted by blowlamp on 06/03/2018 13:23:34:

Posted by David T on 05/03/2018 17:22:15:

… therefore it's the "dead" centre, regardless of whether it's rotating or not……

Being a pedant, I must point out that a running centre is driven by the workpiece.

All of the running centres recommended thus far are, presumably, shipped in some kind of box and are certainly not engaged by "the workpiece". If a running centre is "live" by virtue of it being driven by the workpiece, then by definition it must be a "dead" centre until such time as the customer has received it and put it to use.

Once again I apologise for my earlier transgressance. I hope this satisfies the pedantic community

Edited By David T on 06/03/2018 18:30:08

Your arguing skills are BOSS like!!…

… You'll fit in well around here.

Female tutor by any chance?

I learnt from the best

If only my engineering talents were as sharp…..

[Author]

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