Woodturning Drive Centers

Video Transcript

"What we'll take a look in this segment, are the drive centers: what gets your work to go. The drive centers are set up with what's called the Morris Taper. The number two Morris Taper, which is this tool is, is the most common available. It simply slides into the drive end of the head stock. The most common drive center is a four prong center. You have a sharp steel point and four prongs with it. And this is what will drive the wood, you'll be driving the wood with. If you're dealing with natural wood, or wood just off a, green wood, just off a tree, you may use what's called a two prong center. This allows you to dig deeper, this particular one allows you to dig deeper into the wood to get a better bite, so that the wood will, you'll be able to drive it more efficiently. You have a couple small type centers that are on the four prong or two prong type. This you'll use when you have very small or very narrow type wooded that you'll be driving. And the last type is a multi spur center. The advantage with this is, is that, you less likely for the wood to slip out. Also, if you do get it, in what's called a catch and your wood rips out of the drive, you can easily tighten it up. This center is spring loaded on the inside so you can back off and keep the lathe going while the work is still moving."