Before I went to turning between centers, I would take a razor blade and steady my hand on the headstock and turn the blank while keeping the blade aligned with the mating point of the blank and the bushing. I would do this 2 or 4 times depending on the type of kit, and my bushings would separate easily without tear-out of the finish. Now granted, I am left handed, but I would imagine that right handed folks could steady their hand on the tailstock.