Need to replace my centers

[brownsfn2]

I have had this dead center (from Grizzly HSS I think) and a live center (From PSI) for about 9 months now. As you can see below they look well used. When I TBC I use the manufacturer stock bushings and get close to within final dimensions and then ditch the bushings and mount the tube. I also apply CA with the tube mounted between centers. After using it for CA I take my skew and lightly scrape the CA off.

As you can see from the picture all this use has created several imperfections in the centers. Rings and indentations. I think that they are probably not at the same accuracy as they were when I got them. I am going to replace them because I would like a nicer live center.

So here is where the questions come in. Should I go cheap on the live and drive centers expecting to replace them every 6-8 months? Will a better live center with Hardened steel last longer than the PSI one? Am I destroying my centers with my process?

Which drive and live center is a good one that will last a long time? What should I look for?

Thanks for any advice!! Here is the picture:

 

[longbeard]

Hi Ron, looks like i use the same centers and the same method, but i use acetone and a paper towel to keep mine clean.

 

[dennisg]

I got the ones sold by Johny CNC and would recommend them.

 

[Texatdurango]

I got the ones sold by Johny CNC and would recommend them.

Why? Is the entire center made of hardened steel?

If not, I would shop around to find the best prices since even most centers with hardened steel tips do little good for between center turning since most of the brass tubes usually touches the center above where the hardened tip stops.

 

[brownsfn2]

I got the ones sold by Johny CNC and would recommend them.

Why? Is the entire center made of hardened steel?

If not, I would shop around to find the best prices since even most centers with hardened steel tips do little good for between center turning since most of the brass tubes usually touches the center above where the hardened tip stops.

I did not think of that. On some of the metal lathe live centers (for example I have been looking at one of the southbend ones on Amazon.) are they only hardened steel on the tip? I did not realize that if they are.

 

[jasontg99]

I got the ones sold by Johny CNC and would recommend them.

Could not have said it better. The live center from John is extremely smooth, quiet, and accurate. I have had his dead center for two years and it still looks brand new.

Jason

 

[Wildman]

Acetone should work for clean up. My HSS dead center & live center for pen turning from Grizzly wood lathe accessories page and easy to repair on the lathe. I stick centers in headstock use a file to bring tips smooth turn on lathe and attack those annoying little problems with steel wool or sandpaper.

If buying centers from Grizzly don't buy from the wood lathe accessories page. Go back to heavy duty centers page in catalog. Should have bought the carbide tipped dead center on same sales flyer as my HSS dead center. Really did not need their 60-degree live center from wood lathe accessory page. Pen mandrel will mar tips of that live center. Bought a live center from heavy duty pages years ago; on its third lathe.

Grizzly.com® -- Online Catalog

Grizzly.com® -- Online Catalog

Grizzly.com® -- Online Catalog

Why didn't I follow my advice? Sales flyer and saved a few bucks.