Sorby vs China steb center

[John K Jordan]

Yes, the points are springloaded. It seems very good quality to me. I am in Canada, so I can't afford anything out of the US now.... I use Woodchuckers in Ontario, and they have them. They are a good company, nothing but good experiences with them.https://woodchuckers.com/collections/drive-centres Mine is the Woodturning Pro Drive.

Thanks. I ordered one to evaluate.

JKJ

 

[Steve Tiedman]

With shipping and my local sales tax to the USA, it is $12 cheaper buying from Axminster in the UK, but may take 10-13 days to arrive. And they sell both 16mm (5/8”) and 21mm (13/16”) (16mm out of stock today). I just ordered the 21mm.

Axminster Woodturning Pro Drives

These centres are safe, secure and offer greater versatility and accuracy than the more common 2 or 4-prong drive centres. Being made entirely of stainless steel they will not rust or corrode when used with green timber or left in an unheated workshop....

www.axminstertools.com

 

[Adrian Wilson]

With shipping and my local sales tax to the USA, it is $12 cheaper buying from Axminster in the UK, but may take 10-13 days to arrive. And they sell both 16mm (5/8”) and 21mm (13/16”) (16mm out of stock today). I just ordered the 21mm.

Axminster Woodturning Pro Drives

These centres are safe, secure and offer greater versatility and accuracy than the more common 2 or 4-prong drive centres. Being made entirely of stainless steel they will not rust or corrode when used with green timber or left in an unheated workshop....

www.axminstertools.com

I hope you and John Jordan report back with a review.

 

[Gabriel Hoff]

I have two Sorby Stebcenters I use for boxes, they really grip well. I have not had one slip, and yes they are expensive, but the frustrations caused by the cheaper ones is worth the extra cost.

 

[R Henrickson]

I have steb centers (drive and live) of several diameters, but use the 1/2" almost exclusively, since in recent years I have turned mostly smallish things. From their paint scheme, they would appear to be Sorby but neither actually has the Sorby name etched on them. Bought long ago so they are durable (whether they are Sorby or not). I tend not to tighten them down hard, so they can slip a little. I don't have problems with them 'drilling'.

 

[Steve Tiedman]

Yes, the points are springloaded. It seems very good quality to me. I am in Canada, so I can't afford anything out of the US now.... I use Woodchuckers in Ontario, and they have them. They are a good company, nothing but good experiences with them.https://woodchuckers.com/collections/drive-centres Mine is the Woodturning Pro Drive.

When I ordered the Axminster Pro Drive, I also ordered this Axminster 4-prong 1" spur drive, $11 US ordered straight from Axminster in England. 2 weeks until arrival. It's $18 US at Woodchuckers.
https://woodchuckers.com/products/ax-woodturning-4-prong-drive-centre-25mm-mt2
My ancient homemade 2-prong spur (I ground down 2 of the spurs) has seen better days so it will be retired and replaced with this 4-prong, which I'll grind down 2 of the spurs. Axminster also sells a 2-prong for about $24 US, but the prong profile looks much less substantial than it does on the 4-prong. And it was twice the price.