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Post by dalboy on Jun 30, 2014 18:01:47 GMT
All of you out there that own these which do you find is the best size to buy for a first time purchase
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Post by Pete on Jun 30, 2014 19:42:54 GMT
I use a 19mm (3/4") for just about everything that isn't in the chuck.
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Post by Jeff Farris on Jun 30, 2014 19:46:14 GMT
Hope my personal opinion counts....
My favorite is the 19mm that fits in a chuck. Can't remember the last time I took the chuck off my lathe.
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Post by Pete on Jun 30, 2014 20:11:35 GMT
I prefer the morse tapper version, (no 2 morse taper on my lathe) it means that there is no large knuckle hurter on on the end of the work piece, and actually allows me to work the timber end to end. I also have the chuck mounted one in 19mm that gets used when balancing up and cutting a chuck mount dovetail on a piece of stock.
The only time I would hesitate to recommend a Steb is for lightweight lathes with unknown headstock bearings there is a bit (not a lot) of pressure against the bearing. Everyone else needs to get one (or three) as a first one if like Jeff you do mainly chuck work and don't want to remove the chuck get the 19mm check mount, if you do a lot of spindle work where the whole length of the stock gets used then go for the taper, whichever you don't buy add it to your xmas list, trust me once used you will wonder why it took so long to discover.
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Post by dalboy on Jul 1, 2014 8:23:58 GMT
So it looks like the 3/4" seems to be a good size to start. I am not too worried about the type of fitting but must agree that the morse taper does allow easier access to the ends of your work
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paulm
New Member
Posts: 18 
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Post by paulm on Jul 4, 2014 9:25:13 GMT
Depends on what size and type of work you do.
Small centre for small diameter spindles. big centre for large diameter spindles, and if you're not sure or do a mix then get a medium sized one to start with !
The chuck mounted ones are good for me for most of the time, the MT versions are pretty much redundant for me now.
Cheers, Paul
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Post by Pete on Jul 4, 2014 10:33:43 GMT
That's why I recommended the 19mm it suits most jobs, I do also have a small one (think it's 12mm) but it was a tool fair type show and I bought it thinking that will be handy, but seldom turn stock that small without it coming through the chuck centre, or being part of a larger piece so the drive is irrelevant.
Does anyone use a steb live centre? I have a set of various ends I can put on my live centre but tend to just use the pointy one with the addition of a bit of packing if I need to protect the end, but have often wondered at what the advantages are of a steb live centre (tail end if terminology is different), they claim is it's good for off centre work, but I have never known more than the usual problems with off centre turning.
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paulm
New Member
Posts: 18
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Post by paulm on Jul 4, 2014 14:32:37 GMT
Yes, I've got a couple of live versions Pete, they're okay, the theoretical advantage I think is that you can flip a spindle over end for end and remount accurately (assuming you are using a same size drive version) although I'm not sure when I would ever want to do that ! Not actually sure if I just made that up or read it somewhere !!!
Cheers, Paul
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paulm
New Member
Posts: 18
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Post by paulm on Jul 4, 2014 14:34:31 GMT
As an afterthought, I guess they don't drill their way in to the end of the wood as much as a single point live centre if you keep tightening up the tailstock, so a bit like one of the cup centres perhaps in that regard ?
Cheers, Paul
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Post by Pete on Jul 4, 2014 14:47:58 GMT
Thanks Paul, I have reversed spindles occasionally, either because I made a mistake on the grain pattern or because I am better at cutting right to left than the other way so some small details can benefit from changing the angle of approach, but like you say it's a rare event and the centre points are usually enough to get a matching remount The "drilling in" bit can be an issue when using spalted (rotten!) wood, I tend to solve this with a small piece of oak (about 5mm square and 3mm thick) I keep in my useful things magnetic tray on top of the lathe pulleys. I will no doubt be seduced into buying one by some smooth talking sales rep at one of the shows, can't make Yandles summer show so am safe until the Autumn. Does anyone else have one? do you have anything to add to Paul's comments that I can use to justify my out of control tool buying urges  |
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Post by Rob on Jul 4, 2014 16:11:08 GMT
certainly not Pete....your out of control tool purchase urges are to be actively encouraged in order to help justify mine :-)
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Post by philcycle on May 26, 2020 14:42:21 GMT
Is there any way to adjust the spring tension on the Steb Centre centre pin? (Drive and Live versions.)
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Post by Pete on May 26, 2020 15:16:50 GMT
Is there any way to adjust the spring tension on the Steb Centre centre pin? (Drive and Live versions.) Can't see ant way on mine, but I am curious as to why you would want to? |
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Post by philcycle on May 26, 2020 18:31:30 GMT
Just interested to know if the pressure can be reduced to reduce the depth of the indentation and/or the stress on the centre of a delicate timber.
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Post by Pete on May 26, 2020 18:59:46 GMT
The trick for that is a small washer that limits how much the point can go into the wood.
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