Old South Bend Lathe ID

[Bob Engelhardt]

https://www.penntoolco.com/nakane-li...aper-70-772-9/ Someone here recommended them and I found one on eBay for cheap. The link has a close up of the design. So far its done well.

They tout the small diameter head, but it can't compare to these which are my favorites: https://royalproducts.com/product-li...-live-centers/
...

Those are centers that separate the men from the boys! I dream that someday I'll be good enough at this game to be able to take advantage of their quality. 'Till then I'll muck along with my order-of-magnitude cheaper ones.

(I guess that my original question about the nature of the center was much ado about nothing - as you were.)

[donf]

Those are centers that separate the men from the boys! I dream that someday I'll be good enough at this game to be able to take advantage of their quality. 'Till then I'll muck along with my order-of-magnitude cheaper ones.

(I guess that my original question about the nature of the center was much ado about nothing - as you were.)

I didn't spend that much for mine. My china cheapo started getting rough and the bearing was short lived. This one was used and about twice the cost of a new china one so I spent the $60 and its mine. Its done well, lasted a lot longer than the china cheapo i guess the bearings can be replaced, but have not needed it so far.

[chipmaker4130]

. . .i guess the bearings can be replaced, but have not needed it so far.

If you keep it lubed it will last a very, very long time. I use one all the time and keep another on the shelf. Just squirt oil in the hole on the back end from time to time. My first one I bought used and eventually had it 'refurbished' by Royal (they actually just sent me a new one) for far less than the cost of new.