Drive Centers, Time to Upgrade?

The drive center is an essential lathe accessory. But there are a lot of options out there that may be much better for the turning you do than the typical 4 prong drive that came with your lathe. I also show a few tips for using drive centers.

[monophoto]

Agree with your comment about the screw on 'stebcenters'. If that screw inadvertently comes loose, the spring will eject the pin which will inevitably be lost in the shavings under the lathe. DAMHIKT. But, a little locktite on the screw threads helps, or if you prefer, you can also use the leftover touchup paint from the car that you traded in last year. Also, I've found that it's not all that difficult to make a new pin from ordinary steel rod - chuck it in the lathe and use a file to make a point, and then file a flat on one side to receive the grub screw.

[paintilludrop]

As a newbie, in class, often we have to get our own set up, then get ok by teacher. This has been very helpful. I also take photo to help remember.

[glencrandall]

great overview on drive centers Mike. I think you did an excellent jog of covering all of the options. Thank you for sharing. Have a great day and stay safe.🙂🙂 PS The shop is progressing nicely. I am just beginning to spend less time organizing and more time turning.

[randyrockwell]

Thank you Mike for a very informative video! My new lathe is being delivered next week and I’ve been looking at upgrading my drive and live centers ….. your video has really helped me make my decision 🤠🇨🇱

[garthkeck]

I turn natural rough wood mostly and prefer the multi prong in case I have to reposition.

[hfbowerndesigns]

Good information Mike.
Thanks
Take care my friend
Cheers
Harold

[cudamank]

Thanks for sharing. New turner and didnt know about the options.

[DKWalser]

Lot's of good information, Mike. For most of my work between centers, I use the Oneway "Safe Driver". It's very similar to a Stebcenter, except there are no teeth, just a smooth ring (or cup) around the point. I used a small round file to cut a few teeth in mine, but I don't believe it is necessary. Robust makes something similar that comes with two different sized rings.

An advantage of this type of drive center (by this 'type' I mean Oneway's safe driver and multi-tooth stebcenters) over standard 4-prong centers is they reduce the consequnces of a catch. If you get a catch, the blank will simply stop spinning with very little damage to the blank. This can be a great help to learning good tool control.

The downside to this type of drive center is it requires more tailstock pressure than would be needed with a typical 4-prong center. Generally, that's not a problem. But, it can be a problem if you're turning something long and thin. The additional pressure can cause the blank to bow.

[nickfessel]

Get the Robert Sorby Stebcentre with #2 Morse Taper or whatever taper you need and Bob's your uncle

[kenvasko]

Nice video, Mike. Very comprehensive. I think a lot of turners don't like to change something that is working for them for years. But the spring loaded multi-tooth are a good addition to the many, many, many accessories I own. I find there is less chance of stripping in wet wood. Do you find the same in wet and dry wood?

[jeffpeters]

I don't even use my 4 prong drive anymore, I mainly use a ring drive, sometimes a steb type. I have a 4 prong that has a spring center. That doesn't make sense, you pound it in and the spring is pushing it out.

[gregc]

Hey Mike, Thanks for video.
I got the 1/2 inch Sorby Stebcenter and was looking at the other two offered by Sorby, 7/8 and 1 1/4, do you find yourself using all versions equally or is there one you would think is used the most?
Thanks

[sandiekelley]

Question, I see you using a wood mallet, will a leather mallet work as well?