Upside, we have a bunch of Jacobs chucks on #4 tapers kicking around at work… 
Stuart’s big dumb lathe
- Thread starter Stuart Samuel
- Start date
Martin w
Well-Known Member
I will look tomorrow and see if I have a #4. I believe mine are all #5 though. The carbide tipped one is a dead center.
Martin
Ahhhh, misread.
Only way to go. 2nd choice is non-carbide live center.
I'm not a fan of dead centers in the tailstock. Only in the spindle or when they turn with the work like a live center would.
Dead centers do work just fine with a bit of grease or oil but why buy both kinds?
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Martin w
Well-Known Member
I have two like on the left. Made in. Sweden and one on the right. Not sure on that one. They are Morse #4. Your choice if you want one.
Cheers
Martin
Meh...I use both. Dead centers can be more accurate, have less stick-out, less chatter, much easier to true. I will use them for speeds under 250rpm.
I’ll take a Swede!
Martin w
Well-Known Member
I have a little can of grease from my Dad's toolbox. Works awesome on a dead center. I'm sure it is lead based though. Hence the reason I never use it.
Martin
Now I’m imagining opening a box only to find a rutabaga…