Sharpening four prong drive centre?

[MCB]

I've  noticed that when I'm  roughing down a square section spindle blank, sometimes the blank catches and stops rotating, even though I  had tried to secure it onto the drive centre (by tapping with a mallet)

I  wonder if this suggests that the drive centre isn't inserted enough into the blank because it's blunt.

Is  it possible to sharpen the centre or do I  need to replace it.

If the former, how does one sharpen it.

With best wishes and thanks. 
 
MC

[bodrighywood]

This happens sometime in softer woods and personally I have got a habit of just giving the tailsock a tweak every now and then. If you do want to sharpen the centre give it a wipe over each face with a file. Wouldn't advise trying it on the grindstone. Might be other options from someone else

pete

[seventhdevil]

chuck the 4 prong away and get a stebcentre, i've caught mine once or twice and it's got a bit smoother by being touched with sandpaper every so often and it still grips spectacularly well...


well worth the money in my opinion...


mine's chuck mounted but i also have the morse taper ones if i want to do lots of spindle turning and won't need a chuck.


pete is right about the occasional winding in of the tailstock, works a treat...

[malcy]

I agree. Get a Steb centre. Well worth the money. Two types available. One with a Morse taper and one to fir a four jaw chuck. Malcolm.

[Graham]

Another one for the steb centre and occasional tweak.

[MCB]

I agree. Get a Steb centre. Well worth the money. Two types available. One with a Morse taper and one to fir a four jaw chuck. Malcolm.

Gentlemen

Thank you for taking the time to respond.
 
Is  it worth getting the Steb centre for the Tailstock too?

What's the diameter of the BODY of the Steb that fits into a four jaw chuck? I  need to check if it would  fit in my Viper3

Very many thanks again

 

MC

[bodrighywood]

Any drive centre that fits into a chuck MUST have a parallel body as opposed to the morse taper or it just slides out. Sometimes called parallel drive centre

Pete

[GBF]

If I were you and you are buying a Steb centre I would get a Morse taper one to fit your lathe the chances are that your chuck will grip it anyway.
No you do not need one for the tail centre.

Regards George

[GBF]

Any drive centre that fits into a chuck MUST have a parallel body as opposed to the morse taper or it just slides out. Sometimes called parallel drive centre

Pete

I use a MT Steb center and it holds OK it cannot come out because the wood is holding it in. Wake up Pete  

Regards George

[bodrighywood]

Wide awake George LOL. I agree that should happen but I have had occasions where it has somehow worked loose as the chucks grip on the taper wasn't enough and it has started revolving loosely.Okay i phrased it badly. Just something that I have experienced so am wary of.

Pete

[GBF]

Fair enough.
Just looked at one of mine and it has a flat area after the taper and that is where I grip it

Regards George

[bodrighywood]

The one I use in a chuck has a flat section just behind the head. Same on my jacobs chuck. Both I have used in a chuck.

Pete

[seventhdevil]

here is a picture of my 7/8th" chuck stebcentre and the measurements are thus.

length, 50mm
steb diameter (the teeth) 7/8"
main body's widest diameter, 30mm
rear diameter, 1"
narrow waist, 3/4"

[MCB]

Gentlemen (I think everybody who responded can be so classified)

You have convinced me to buy a Steb Centre (or possibly two - one to fit in my Chuck)

Is  anybody aware of any suppliers that sell them at below the usual price?

With best wishes and thanks again. 
 
MC

[GBF]

If I were you I would make sure it is a Step centre I bought a copy and it is just not the same.

Regards George