Multi-tooth 2" Super Center Insert

A Sorely Needed Tool For Turning Large Spindles

Once the spindle gets much above 3" -- and I do turn 4x4 and even larger spindles on my lathe, the traditional 1" diameter 4-prong drive center seems an inadequate way to both support and impart rotational energy to the heavy wood. By using a 2" diameter drive center, I get both improved support and much better coupling between the headstock and the spindle. At first, I was a little leery of bearing that much weight in a chucked center until I realized just how heavy the bowl blanks I turn are as well. My only dissatisfaction with this product is that while it can be held directly in the #2 jaws of the chuck, when I have #3 jaws mounted, I'm faced with having to either change jaws or to grip the center by the tips of the chuck jaws. I've done both, but neither is a perfect solution because the tip-grip is somewhat hard to set up.