Play in live center?

Question

I just bought the fancy dandy live center from Oneway. The one with the cone and cup and point. Late Christmas present from my wife.

Now my question relates to a small amount of lateral play in the live center. Is this normal? Is it okay? I checked 4 of them in the store and picked out the one with the least amount of play.

Now my cheapo live center that came with my delta lathe has no play.

But all these live centers have a something like one or two thousandths of an inch lateral play in them, even when I am pushing in on them.

I thought it would be zero play?

Any thoughts? Comparisions to your own? Musings?

John

DJ Delorie · Accepted Answer

Yes. The Oneway web site talks about this; their centers are designed to be self-centering when a load is put on them, and then all the play goes away. Your other center has no play because it's too tight.

David Wade · Answer

Not a problem. Means there is a proper tolerance in the bearings. As soon as you put pressure on the center the play disappears as the bearings settle into the races. Will be zero play "when turning" which is when it matters. Use it and enjoy it.DavidEddie Munster wrote:

Eddie Munster · Answer

All I can find is... have put this thing in my tailstock and pushed real hard but will load up a piece of wood and see.My other center seems to spin just fin as it is though. I will check it out closer.John

Eddie Munster · Answer

I hope so, thanks.JohnDavid Wade wrote:

Eddie Munster · Answer

Hey guys thanks for the responses. I did chuck up a spot of wood and it did indeed firm up. So I'll keep it.

I can't find anything about it on their website or in the paperwork that came with it though. I wish there was though. But then I would be saying I never read the directions! : )

John

mac davis · Answer

I had the same question about the live center that came with my Jet mini..

The folks at Jet said the same thing that DJ said... that it needed play to rotate freely and would self align...

I've used it on a about 100 or so turnings since December and it seems to run true so far... YMMV

mac

Please remove splinters before emailing

Bill Rubenstein · Answer

You might want to ask Jet where they got that idea. Then you might also want to compare a Oneway and a Jet center side-by-side. Then you might want to figure out which came first and try to figure out why they look so much alike.

Bill

mac davis wrote:

Barry N. Turner · Answer

Does it work okay?  If so, don't worry about it.  I'm betting you haven'teven used it yet.  :-)Barry

gerardred1 · Answer

There should be no "slack" in a live center, return it for a functionalone.

mac davis · Answer

If you have any questions, call Oneway.. I've talked to their office several times for tech help and parts and they're very user-supportive... (and have a toll free number)

mac

Please remove splinters before emailing

Eddie Munster · Answer

Okay.mac davis wrote:

Play in live center?

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