I recently purchased a 60 degree live center and dead center and have started turning between centers. I have to say, I'm converted! I made this move because I wanted to try some new kits without purchasing bushings, also because I was having a hard time with the edges of the blanks that butt up against the the bushings.
TBC is allowing me to get a better shape on my blanks because I don't have to worry about hitting the bushings. Also, I love the ease of being able to rotate a blank, or put a new one in, without messing with a mandrel. I was already using calipers to measure as I go, so this really hasn't added much time either. In fact, it has saved time because now I square them after turning, which takes much less time.
I do need to buy a smaller tool rest now, and I'm considering buying some TBC adapter bushings to help me get close before going straight TBC. But again, overall I'm a big fan.
TBC is allowing me to get a better shape on my blanks because I don't have to worry about hitting the bushings. Also, I love the ease of being able to rotate a blank, or put a new one in, without messing with a mandrel. I was already using calipers to measure as I go, so this really hasn't added much time either. In fact, it has saved time because now I square them after turning, which takes much less time.
I do need to buy a smaller tool rest now, and I'm considering buying some TBC adapter bushings to help me get close before going straight TBC. But again, overall I'm a big fan.