lost live center pin

It is one with a removable (multiple) center(s)? If so, I would expect it's a #0 MT.

You will, of course be dragging strong magnets over the shavings heap, and putting them in a bag where you can shake them up and go panning for heavier material at the bottom?

Get a nice NOVA multiple if you can't get a replacement or find the original.

Last time I looked the pin in the live center did have a Delta Part Number, same as for the Drive Center. Don't go the local tool dealer, go to a Delta repair shop. But it may take a few weeks to get. Either get used to the 'cup center' or buy a better one. Those Delta center pins will come loose and they are not the same as the center pin in the (generic) live center I bought at Woodcraft.

I ended up getting a live center kit from Woodcraft a few years back, this one had all sorts of centers, They all come in handy. But if you loose one of the 'pin' inserts it too can't be replaced.

I have lost my live center pin several times. Always found it with a strong magnet and LOTS of patience. Finally glued it in and haven't had any more problems. I'm not familiar with the Delta center you mention but if it is a short pin (3/8" - 1/2"?), it likely will have some sort of taper. If it is long and thin it will be straight and you can fashion a new one out of anything that will fit the hole - a drill bit, a nail, etc.

Curt, is that the one that has the setscrew to hold the pin in place?

I lost mine, and made a new one out of a steel rod, using a torch, hammer, anvil and grinder. It worked, but I eventually lost it too. For certain jobs I just use the ring that's still there, or one of my other live centers.

The ring is especially useful without the center point for making small changes in position. It has less tendency than the point to seek the old center dent.

Hi Dustyone

If you had bought a ONEWAY center, you'd get a new point for $3.25, and it would also fit better and not just fall out, I have one of those Delta centers that came with my little lathe, and it will have the pin just stay in the wood when withdrawing the center, it has a poor fit, this does never happen with my ONEWAY center, and no the ONEWAY center pin does not fit my Delta center.

I would buy just another center, the last time I checked they where on sale for something like $15.--, or else make a pin yourself, hold a mild steel pin in your chuck and file to shape, use chalk or feltpen markers to color the steel and twist your center on it, then check where it is not fitting and take off the high spot, till it fits, then file the point onto it.

Here's one of my Photo albums.

dusty> Hello,

Give Delta a call directly- the same thing happened to me, and they sent four of them no charge. That was before the big changes started happening in the customer service department, but it's still worth calling and asking.

Thanks everyone. I just ordered a couple online. I don't know where my dealer got his info about these items being unavailable. 'Course, I haven't received them yet either.

Curt

Prometheus wrote:

Sometimes when you don't want to go through the trouble required to support the customer and the profit will be small or none, the easiest thing to say is that the part is unavailable. Maybe they think it is much nicer than to tell the truth which is, really, that they can't be bothered unless there is money in it.

Bill

dusty> Thanks everyone. I just ordered a couple online. I don't know where

Sort of hijacking this thread ...

I just bought the Oneway live center with the bullnose attachment (ring center, small point, large point, bullnose) and, even though it carries a premium price, it is worth every penny I paid for it ... PLUS a few!

It replaces an aftermarket 60 deg. live center from PSI with a soft tip and a bearing retaining plate that wants to spin out while I am trying to work. IMHO: junk.

Bill