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Drive Center

I'm a real fan of the Big Bite for starting the roughing process. Only down side is if I want to nudge the work over a little to balance or re-center. That big point makes it tough.
 
Robert,
www.bestwoodtools.com has a 1.5" 4-spur that screws onto a M33 - I used it for Planet Mesquite which was 1000-lbs when I put it on between centers. It's a great tool but
I make the following comments under the assumption you're mounting something big and heavy:
- Obviously you begin with a 1.5" forstner hole at least 1/2" deep.
- The drive does NOT have set screws - it will unscrew even with all the pressure you can crank.
- An aside: I used the standard Oneway live center - with all the loads from this grossly out of balance / grossly irregular log, it didn't break
- Do not do anything fast. Override the inherent ramp-up / ramp-down with the control knob.
- Do not even think about utilizing the braking resister
- It's intuitive to think that a little hand assist might help - wrong. Kevin Clay at Oneway told me it can "confuse" the controller - start with the knob all the way to the left and ease it up. Believe it or not, the lathe will start.
- One last "aside": the reason I have my fingers is the James Johnson Tool Test - it's strong, heavy and big enough to hide behind. James lives in Kerrville, TX - hopefully he's still making.

09-11 Day-3.JPG
 
I assume you mean James Johnson Tool Rest (not Test) Wonderful guy. Got to meet him when I was down there doing demos a few years back.
 
This is the large drive I use, there isn't any labeling on it and unfortunately I don't remember where I bought it. It works great, but I haven't been able to find it in online searches. Anyone else have one like this?

View attachment 26046
That's a Bill Rubinstein spur drive. Sadly Bill passed away. His widow sold his inventory to someone. Forgot who, they were selling them. I have one, I use it daily. Bill was the Stubby dealer for many years. He's greatly missed.
 
Robert,
www.bestwoodtools.com has a 1.5" 4-spur that screws onto a M33 - I used it for Planet Mesquite which was 1000-lbs when I put it on between centers. It's a great tool but
I make the following comments under the assumption you're mounting something big and heavy.
View attachment 26045
John, you forgot to mention, but it's seen in your photo--the most important safety device is "Full power to the Hula Shield, Mr. Sulu!".
 
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