does anyone have a source for a pad center, has flat instead of point on the end, used for making spheres, found some but were all part of set 
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pad center
- Thread starter Charlie Knighton
- Start date
Pad centers
I would try making my own. Easy to turn on the lathe. Good Practice. If you've seen one you like -- just try to make one like it.
John
I would try making my own. Easy to turn on the lathe. Good Practice. If you've seen one you like -- just try to make one like it.
John
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- Rural La Farge, Wisconsin
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- www.token.crwoodturner.com
Many of the live tailstock centers have a removable point that can be replaced with a custom-turned one of maple or other suitable hardwood.
Here's one I made using a bearing center supplied with the General Maxilathe, actually a mini, and the one for the Jet 1236 and probably other lathe brands is the same:
http://www.turnwood.net/Photopost/showphoto.php/photo/599/ppuser/16
Here's one I made using a bearing center supplied with the General Maxilathe, actually a mini, and the one for the Jet 1236 and probably other lathe brands is the same:
http://www.turnwood.net/Photopost/showphoto.php/photo/599/ppuser/16
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baitbegger said:does anyone have a source for a pad center, has flat instead of point on the end, used for making spheres, found some but were all part of set
Like Ken said, some live centers allow replacement of the point with whatever you desire. The Nova center I have even has a bolt-on capability for things like mandrels or plywood disks. Nice thing to have for goblets, vases and such.
If you're impatient, you could hot glue a piece to the end of your existing center. Used to do that. Taper both sides of the wooden disk, one to help it center on the center, other on the ball. Draw it up dry, satisfy yourself with the spin, , then run a bead of glue around the center. Not unknown to put a drop to help hold to the ball rather than risk burning from a loosened center.
Years ago I just made (tuned it) a sleeve with a blunt end to fit over the end of my live center. It worked well. Then when I purchased my Oneway lathe - I bought one of the ends for the live center that screws onto the live center but is flat on end (looks like a small faceplate). I turned a small piece of wood to fit on the end of that and I have my flat surface for turning spheres.
Some people have turned a Moris Taper to fit into the tailstock with a spiggot on the end to fit a couple of sealed bearings onto. Then placed a rubber cane tip over the bearings.
Hugh
Some people have turned a Moris Taper to fit into the tailstock with a spiggot on the end to fit a couple of sealed bearings onto. Then placed a rubber cane tip over the bearings.
Hugh