PSI tech support on a live center...sounds fishy to me...

[Rob Price]

Okay, so I bought this live center (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000KIEPSA/ref=ox_ya_os_product) from Amazon, it's the PSI 60 degree cone. I wanted to get a cone shaped live center so I could get in closer on some pieces than I can with my stock delta live center. The first one they sent me barely turns by hand it's so rough. I ordered a replacement, it's better, but when I chuck it up it's noticeably loud- my lathe sounds like a freight train, where the stock center is completely silent.

rather than just returning it to amazon again, for another one, I figured I'd call PSI and get it straightened out, they could send me a good one after someone checks it out, right? Wrong. They told me that's how it is made, that if I let it run for a while it will work itself out. To me it sounds like they're using cheap bearings... I've never had noisy bearings that got quieter.

I looked at woodstock, it carries a woodriver branding there, but it's the identical center, which makes me feel like it's coming from the same crappy plant somewhere in Asia.

The only other live centers I find are in the $70 range. Where can I get a smooth running, cone shaped live center for a reasonable price, or is $70 a reasonable price?

[Scott Donley]

You can try The Little Machine Shop. The one I got from them about 4 years ago is still going strong. An example after a quick look. http://www.littlemachineshop.com/products/product_view.php?ProductID=1189&category=

[Richard Jones]

You can try The Little Machine Shop. The one I got from them about 4 years ago is still going strong. An example after a quick look. http://www.littlemachineshop.com/products/product_view.php?ProductID=1189&category=

I got one from them as well, almost 6 years old, still spinning.................

R

[Matt Owen]

I bought this one from WoodCraft several years back. I've seen it go on sale from time to time.

http://www.woodcraft.com/Product/2003727/1576/Pro-Live-Center-Set-2-Morse-Taper-Pro-Set.aspx

It's served me really well. However, if I could do it all over again, I would get this one:

http://www.woodcraft.com/Product/2020433/22893/Nova-Live-Center-System.aspx

WC also sells the one you got under the Wood River brand so if you have a WC near you, you can go there and test it before you buy.

http://www.woodcraft.com/Product/2021120/24448/WoodRiver-60-Ball-Bearing-Live-Tailstock-Center-2-Morse-Taper.aspx

[Jim Underwood]

Sound's like a used car salesman's trick:
"Put some grease and sawdust in that rear end and it will be quiet long enough to sell it to some sucker... ;)"

I'm with you. If it's noisy now, it will not get quiet after running it. When you get a bearing from a bearing supplier, it's pre-greased and smooth as silk- not hard to turn and rough as a cob. I'd demand my money back, and get something else.

For what it's worth, I bought a nice center from Johnny CNC over on the penturners forum (http://penturnersproducts.com/index.php?main_page=product_reviews_info&products_id=3&reviews_id=1&zenid=ab8b962aeba0b26154d0177660526594). It's a bit smaller than you want, but it's a good one. And it wasn't $70 either...

[Roger Chandler]

The psi, woodriver and apprentice 60 degree cone live center are all the same.......just sold under different brands by the respective company.....either psi, woodcraft or csusa.

I have two of those from psi, and both work fine......when I first got them the were just a little stiff, but one session on the lathe and they were just like any other live center.............

It is possible you did get one with a bad bearing, but from my experience with psi.......they stand behind their product. Just let them know if you are not happy..........they will replace the center, or refund your money.

[Bill Bulloch]

I bought the one from PSI about three years ago and it works just fine. I cannot recall it ever being stiff.

[Roger Chandler]

I have seen some bearings that are stiff initially due to the packing grease when manufactured. A sealed bearing may just need to be run a bit, however, there may be a defective bearing...............I have no doubt anything made in China will have a defect from time to time!

[Rob Price]

yea, I'm just surprised that 2 out of 2 are rough. I figured they would make it right, but the guy pretty much told me, "That's how is supposed to be, if you want something better we have more expensive centers you can look at." I'll be passing through Birmingham tomorrow. Jay, the manager of the woodcraft there, sold me my lathe, I'll have to make a pit stop in Bham and pay him a visit.

[Bernie Weishapl]

I like the revolving stebcenters from Packard Woodworks. I have the 1/2" and liked it so much I got the 7/8" one. The 1/2" lets me get right in where I need. It is quiet and smooth running.

http://www.packardwoodworks.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=packard&Product_Code=118744&Category_Code=lathes-acc-rtc-revsteb

[Luke Townsley]

I had that center too. I didn't use it much at all, but it was very noisy under pressure. I wasn't at all impressed. Also, the ring that screws into the back vibrated out.

[Dan Kralemann]

The Sanding Glove has a Mini 25 (MT#1 or #2) for $49.95. It has three deep grove bearings in it. I have the Super 32 shaft with two tips (standard cone and ring center). My live center runs very smooth. Great customer service from the vendor. https://www.thesandingglove.com/Woodturning-Revolving-Centers.asp

[Kevin W Johnson]

The psi, woodriver and apprentice 60 degree cone live center are all the same.......just sold under different brands by the respective company.....either psi, woodcraft or csusa.

I have two of those from psi, and both work fine......when I first got them the were just a little stiff, but one session on the lathe and they were just like any other live center.............

It is possible you did get one with a bad bearing, but from my experience with psi.......they stand behind their product. Just let them know if you are not happy..........they will replace the center, or refund your money.

I have two of these as well that came from Woodcraft. No problems with them at all.

[Jake Helmboldt]

I have the identical one from Woodcraft. The ring also backed out on mine, but I tightened it back up. I mostly use the one that cam with my 1642 now however. But I never had a problem with the bearings being gritty or noisy on the Woodcraft one. For the price it does fine. Chinese stuff is hit and miss unfortunately. But for PSI to say that is normal is BS.

[Paul Heely]

Add me to the list of people that got one from Little Machine Shop. Have had it 5+ years and never had any problems with it.

[Joe Kieve]

Rob...I bought that $22 dollar one from WoodCraft in Pelham, Al several months ago and it was noisy right out of the box. How disappointed I was!! I certainly wasn't going back to Alabama just to return it, so I decided to replace the bearings myself. It was quite a chore to get them out (2 bearings) but I was able to and replaced them with better ones from my local bearing dealer at about $6 each. Works like a jewel. But now I have $38 in a $22 bearing. Oh, well.
Just my 2 cents.

Joe

[Dan Christensen]

I have the one from PSI and it has worked fine for the last 3 years. I'm sorry you are having difficulty with yours. Someone, in this thread, mentioned JohnnyCNC at penturnersproducts. I have dealt with him several times. His products are of the highest quality, reasonably priced, and he stands behind all of his products 100%. Shipping and customer service are impeccable!

Dan