High-end live center advice please

[mdburn_em]

I'm planning on getting a new Live Center. There have been numerous discussions about the cheaper LC's but I guess if I can fork out the money for a high end chisels, Beall chuck system, $50 for pen kit (for goodness sake) and $70 for a 2X6X6 chunk of wood, I can afford to buy a good LC.
I would like to hear from those who have the Nova, Oneway or Sorby LC (and any other mfg I may have missed). What do you like about it and why?
Thanks

 

[Rudy Vey]

I use the Oneway LC and I am happy with it, it is a great system for woodturning. Others have good experiences with the 60 degree LC from Little Machine Shop, these are much more reasonable price.
Stay away from the Woodcraft LC with the different tips, it is crap. Returned mine the same day I bought it.

 

[Rifleman1776]

If you are determined to spend a lot of money, that's sure your perogative. For a 60 degree lc to use with a mandrel, or the "no mandrel" system, mine from Grizzly http://www.grizzly.com/products/h3408
at about $12.00 is an excellent tool.

 

[Bozz]

Mark,
This is the 'live-center' that I use. I purchased this based upon a recommendation, posted, here, at IAP. It might be overkill, but it works great.

<br />
Details:
http://www.littlemachineshop.com/products/product_view.php?ProductID=1592&category=
This center is made from hardened steel and ground for accuracy. It has precision high quality bearings. The point is a 60º included angle.
The maximum diameter of the point is 0.98". The OD of the body is 1.77". The distance from the tip to the front of the body is 1.66".
The rated radial load is 90 lbs. The maximum speed is 5000 RPM.
Part Number: 1592
Weight: 1.48 pounds
Price: $23.95
Good luck!
Bozz in Fair Oaks, California
IAP is a great place!

 

[ken11011]

I have been through the same thing. I purchased the WC chuck with the collets and find it to be very good. I am still fighting the live end and have ordered a Oneway. I'll give feed back when it comes. I was helped in my decision by Woodbutcher on this site.

 

[Grizzlyss]

I got a live centre that looks something like the one in Bozz's post from Lee Valley Tools, part # 88B10.02, it's a medium duty MT2 60 degree live centre. I couldn't find the RPM rating, even after searching the manufacturers part number etc. So I emailed Lee Valley, it took a week for them to find out from the maker, but it is rated to 5000 RPM with less than 0.0008" run-out. For $37.50 Canadian I figured I did pretty good with this one, take a look, it might fill your need too.

Sheldon

 

[Woodlvr]

I had to return my lower priced LC from the LMS and am waiting for my 1592 to arrive.[][][] Hope it is better than my first ones.

Mike

 

[kiddo]

Consider one made for metalworking. I've had great luck with centers made by Skoda.

For example:

Skoda MT2 Precision Heavy Duty.

Runout: .0003
Max radial load: 600 pounds (yes, 600)
Both axial and radial load bearings.
Rotating shaft extends the full length of the taper.

Built like a tank. (Skoda also build tanks)
Strong as a locomotive. (Skoda also build locomotives)
Faster than a speeding bullet. (Skoda also build heavy naval guns)

About $50 - $70 at many industrial tool shops.

FWIW: I asked a Oneway rep what the specs on their live center are. The answer was something like this: "Specs?! Ummm... it's made for wood..."
I suppose I could have just talked to someone who had no clue, but... "It's made for wood?" I got the Skoda and never looked back.

 

[toolcrazy]

I just tried out the one I got from LMS, and man what a diffrence. I didn't realize how off center my OEM one was. It was $20 bucks when it arrived.

 

[woodbutcher]

I prefer the no mandrel system at times but prefer to turn my pens with both blanks on a mandrel to better see and determine what shape to use. On some lathes there is limited room to work with the no mandrel system and still you need a good live center. I seldom turn bushing to bushing so a mandrel is very important to me. That said a collet and Oneway live center assure of an absolutely round pen with proper pen making technique is applied.