Record drive centre poor quality?

[jon hill 3Participant @jonhill3]

[jon hill 3Participant @jonhill3]

I just received a new premium Record branded drive centre for my wood lathe, however what was supplied doesnt look vaue for money in terms of finish to the prongs….

I know you can buy cheap sets for the same price that I paid for this one, should I send it back?

Also I am suspicious that this is made from mild steel judging by the lack of fine finish on the front. Even looking at the taper there are some scratches to the taper possible indicators of soft steel….

[Ian WelfordParticipant @ianwelford58739]

I’ve not had any issues with Record stuff but that doesn’t look good. I would return and ask for a replacement as the finish doesn’t look good at all.

OK after a while using it you might want to touch it up with a diamond file but those edges should be better , in my view.

[Grindstone CowboyParticipant @grindstonecowboy]

It looks fine to me. It's only driving a piece of wood round, there shouldn't be any movement that could wear it out.

Rob

[Martin KyteParticipant @martinkyte99762]

You don't need tool steel hardness on something like that. It will work perfectly well and when you do need to touch up any rounded corners then a normal file will do fine. As there is also a distinct possibility of the centre turning in the spindle taper socket the last thing you want is a hard taper on the driving centre. That way the centre gets scored and not the spindle taper.

regards Martin

[Dave HalfordParticipant @davehalford22513]

I'm with Martin on this. It's not a cutting tool and only required to grip end grain wood fibres, the rough edge may aid that. Make it all shiny and smooth out of HSS or tool steel and suddenly it's a milling cutter with a point and likely to cut while you attempt to round off some square stock with a gouge.

[OldironParticipant @oldiron]

When I had a wood lathe many years ago I always fouind the 4 prong centre to be very inferior to a 2 prong or a serrated ring type centre. Always difficult to get a 4 prong to bite unless you bandsawed a cross into the end of the block. I much prefered the centre and 2 sharp outer pins to all the others.

regards

[DalboyParticipant @dalboy]

It should be a little sharper than the one shown. Ideally it should either have slots sawn for them to sit into or set using a hammer(Not a metal hammer). I use the later method with no problems. If square section wood is being rough turned to a cylinder then it needs to give if a catch is encountered, if the wood is roughed correctly with the tool rubbing then catches should be very few and far between

[jon hill 3Participant @jonhill3]

In the end I filed the prongs to a fine point, sometimes its less hassle sorting the problem yourself.

Thanks for the suggestion Oldiron about the crown centre I might buy one.

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