Anyone here using a stebcentre?

It's a great center. I have the small and large centers.

I have both the small and large ones from before Sorby became involved. I like both for traditional spindle work, and use them for this purpose almost exclusively. They don't split wood, allow a lot of control of drive/slippage and make it convenient to dismount and remount blanks. About the only disadvantage is if a lot of slippage occurs, the multiple teeth can bore a ring into the end not unlike the rim of a Forstner bit (if not too deep, this can actually increase holding power, though).

They are not a good choice for roughing out most large bowl or hollow form blanks as they don't allow pivoting of the blank to adjust for figure, nor do they have the gripping force to deal with large out of balance blanks. For that you are best to use a BestWoodTools 2 prong Texas drive center.

Lyn

snipped-for-privacy@wherever.i.do.roam.org wrote:

Hi M. I think you got it right. It's an "interesting drive center". It's been proven not to be a gimmick and for some it's a 'must have', but it's not a 'need to have'. Perhaps if you can't spare the time or just don't want to stop your spindle it is a help. For the more expert or professional in a hurry, the standard spur with a slightly longer center pin might be more useful overall. For the beginner, a dead center might be better.

I'm not using one as you asked, but I wouldn't object. It's not a new concept, spring loaded spindles were used in cotton mills. I have an old half point spring loaded tail center and I once made an abortive stebcenter from a hardened self drilling insert for threading bolts into concrete (can't recall what they are called). I should have followed thru. :(

Just my opinion, but I suggest that those who aren't tool junkies or who limit what they wish to spend on tools, will probably be much better off buying an upgraded tail center or a higher quality gouge. IOW, a stebcenter isn't high on my list. :) Arch

Fortiter,