live center?

The hollow live center I have us supported by the tool post, not the tailstock. Regardless, they use a spoon bit. I got my set from Woodcraft many years ago.

Dan

Gary - live centers enable one to place a revolving spindle or other item against a stationary tailstock. The bearings in the live center revolve with the piece - - else a stationary holder would get pretty hot!

You need a simple chuck like your drill press has, but with a morse taper to fit your tailstock. Then you can use it to grip your bit, turn the piece up to 400 - 500 rpm and drill away!

See:

This one uses a hollow center. D

Shell auger if on the lathe. You need a clear path through your tailstock, and a live center which has the same. Examples of both at

I like my NOVA center system, others are fine. I'd make a steady to help stabilize if you're going to bore through and through with a chuck on the other end. Though for rolling pins it's just too easy to start with a squared block and stopped holes made on the drillpress and avoid all the fuss. Use them to center your spindle. Alternative B is to use the center marks made by your drive and live and a V block to bore afterward.

Hi Gary,

I won't get into the argument re 'boring vs drilling' ie. rotating the work vs rotating the bit. Probably only important if at all, when making holes in burl which sort of resembles metal. I imagine your rolling pins are made of hard wood. If so, I couldn't push a bit thru the tail stock or push the tailstock & bit by hand so I'd have to drive a fixed bit in increments with the tailstock handwheel & ram. (boring) or drive the bit with a hand drill (drilling). IOW, a simple hollow MT center, dead or alive, with no set screw or no hand drill doesn't work for this weakling, but you may be stronger. :)

I have drilled axial holes with a bit thru a bushing held in the tool post and driven by a hand drill, but only for work held in a chuck with the headstock spindle fixed. I don't have a live hollow tail center.

Dan, centering a spoon bit was tricky for me, so for long holes I started with a center drill followed by a twist drill, then a 'D' bit. There must be a better way and my one old spoon bit may not have had a sharp enough point so it wandered. Any tips for Gary & me?

Oh man, I got carried away. but I typed this confusing mess, so I'll post it for laughs. You guys will be 85 someday. :)

Turn to Safety, Arch Fortiter

I've only had one wander off center. Most arrive within 1/32" of the center, which I still find amazing. I begin with a twist drill starter, too, then proceed with the spoon bit. I use about 3 pounds of pressure and FREQUENT pulls to clear chips from the spoon.

Dan