About a year ago my older Robust live center self destructed. I replaced it with one by Savannah from Peachtree Woodworking (www.ptreeusa.com ). I also have an Oneway live center that came w/ my Oneway 1224. That center is now 20 yrs old and still working fine. Actually, I don't find that the Oneway is that pricey.
www.woodturnerscatalog.com
Good tip—thank you Dave!
My reaction as well. I have at least one well-used PM live center. Works well. The small central pin is removable, although I leave it in place for most of what I turn. The diameter of the body barrel has sometimes been a problem, although it is about the same as most other live centers. I do have a smaller diameter live center for when I need better close access.
I'd guess the bearings in the Robust are readily replaceable.
Another option is to drill and tap wood or plastic for the tips. I had a few delrin rods lying around and used them to make tips of various shapes. (Delrin is very stable and turns/machines well, but it’s a little grabby and I found a negative rake scraper works best for shaping it.) I drill and tap the rod and then put it on a Robust drive center (same threading) for shaping.
You can also tread a piece of wood to so this without the nut. Thread the wood with a bolt with v notch filled in like a tap.
$120 for OneWay.. but "expensive" is all relative isn't it. There are people here who talk about having more than (gulp) 10 chucks. Good ones are upwards of $150.
My PM comes with a cheaper live center. No pin to remove or replace. Perhaps the LC you are associating with PM is one that comes with older or larger machines.
If that is the stock one, then any of the others mentioned will be an upgrade. Most of them have a 60* cone like you have, but it will unscrew from the center, and allow a ton more flexibility. If you are on a budget, check out the one from Penn State.
Ah. TIL the PM 2014 doesn't come with the same live center as the larger machines.
Get collecting Raja, it a virus many of us have….no known cure, just treatment by getting one’s wallet out, haha!!
Well have a look at the photo, its not the live center you thought the PM would have....
Medical cost are #1 reason for bankruptcy ... I'm taking more vitamin C as a wardoff for the "virus"
Thanks for link and adviceFor most things I prefer a cup live center with a removable point.
A ONEWAY or Robust live center will serve you well and both accept the commercial and homemade threaded add-ons.
Craft Supplies and Packard both have less expensive centers. Some with interchangeable tips.
Both companies focus on Woodturners - they sell things that work.
I bought a craft supplies center Something like the one below about 30 years ago.
Mine has 4 tips. It still works great but - has been reserved for special tasks and students since I got a ONEWAY center 25 years ago. This doesn’t have removable point with makes fine adjustment of the center for grain or rim alignment difficult or impossible.
Turners Select Multi-Tip Revolving Center w/ 2 Accessory Points
The Turners Select Multi-Tip Revolving Center offers great value and quality at an exceptional price. Customize your revolving center with the interchangeable tip of your choice to suit the work at hand. CNC precision machined from solid steel Premium double row, dual thrust ball bearing...
