Does a live centre need to spin?

[justinpeer]

Hopefully not a daft question but I'm new at this, the tail stock on my old Coronet Major came with one that is just a solid point. Obviously there'll be more friction and all the live centers I've seen for sale (or in YouTube videos) are of the spinning type, which I guess is why they're called 'live' centres. Before I spend money, is there anything I should look out for when buying one?

 

[Dave Brookes]

The ‘solid’ one goes in the headstock and you would need a revolving/live centre for the tailstock.
Check out Chronos Tools as the have some reasonably priced ones.
Dave

 

[justinpeer]

Great thanks. I have one of the 4 'bit' ones for the headstock and the other was in the tailstock when I got it. I'll look for a proper live centre and order one up. Currently looking at chuck options too, but I'll post another thread for that one.

 

[Cabinetman]

Not a big lathe user, but I have always just had a solid bit in the tailstock, yes it does get very hot but seems to do the job just fine. Fyi it has a very sharp centre point with a sharp ring 12mm dia? around it.

 

[justinpeer]

Yes that sounds like what I currently have.

 

[graham88]

Hopefully not a daft question but I'm new at this, the tail stock on my old Coronet Major came with one that is just a solid point. Obviously there'll be more friction and all the live centers I've seen for sale (or in YouTube videos) are of the spinning type, which I guess is why they're called 'live' centres. Before I spend money, is there anything I should look out for when buying one?

That would be a dead centre. Rubbing some beeswax on it will help reduce the friction. I'd still go for a live centre any day of the week.

A ring centre (pic below) can be used in either location. Good for beginners in the headstock because a catch will just stop the wood turning, instead of hitting you or snatching the tool.

 

[Cabinetman]

Forgot to mention that I rest a candle on the hot metal every now and then to give it some lube, not sure if it helped tbh.

 

[Sideways]

That would be a dead centre.

Live centre has bearings and "nicer" to use. Dead centres simple, cheap, accurate.

Dead centres are more precise and there are ways they may be used at either end or both of a metalworking lathe for precision work and for aligning the lathe.