I've ordered a similar live centre kit and now I'm looking forward to its arrival. I don't know whether it has the locking feature, it would be very nice. Your video is very useful, thank you! I can't wait to put in practice what I have learnt.
Nice video. This is quite like the Oneway live centre with the exception you can lock it off. I have found side grain taps better than end grain. I have also purchased 3/4”-16 nuts that can also be used to make custom fittings for your live centre ie a soft touch.
Thanks for the review. I think you are right about not going quite so deep as fast. I have the 1 x 8 tap and I have found that if I just turn it forward and back about a quarter of a turn at a time it cleans out the grooves. I ruined several before I figured that out. When I use pine I put thin CA glue on the threads and run the tap through again. Also you can't let the tap hit the bottom of the hole. It will rip off all of the threads. Hey, practice make perfect. Keep on turning. Christian Jensen Lubbock Texas
Great review Andrew. The attachment I use the most is that one with the small point and the ring around it. It is especially best for working between centres as you can really tighten up the tail stock without the live centre digging in and holds the work well. For your threading Sam Angelo does similar but he glues a nut into the work piece. To true up the attachment (nut or threaded as you did), screw it on the tail stock as you did and then have a piece of waste wood in the chuck. Bring up your attachment to the waste block and use it as a friction drive, where you can then true up your attachment. A bit like when you finish the bottom of a bowl on a friction drive. As to the one attachment you couldn't release, I've not had that issue (only used it a couple of times). I think when it gets driven in where you can't pull it out, it should be in enough for the release mechanism to just move it before it comes off the thread. Well done! Thoroughly enjoyed that one.
Hi Paul. Many thanks for the info. I will definitely check out Sam Angelo's channel as that seems the best approach. However, it was interesting trying to tap threads. I'm not sure why my conical head sticks out so far though. I do think Axminster are missing a trick by not advertising the thread dimensions and indicating that it is possible to make your own bespoke heads. Thanks again for you help and advice. Cheers. Andrew
Was wondering whether to get this live centre set or not. Glad I found your vid. I didn't realise you could expose the thread on the end. Now I know you can, I'm gonna pick up a set. Really widens the scope for mounting options. Cheers buddy.
Hi Bisch Basch Bosch. I'm glad you found it useful. I also struggled getting information on this product. A'm sure Aminster would sell more if they provided more information about it. Cheers Andrew
Hi Andrew Very nice live centre kit! Have you considered drilling an appropriate size hole in various heads and gluing (epoxy) and appropriate threaded nut into the head? Gives a very nice tight threaded fit! You can also epoxy a washer on the face of the nut to give a perfectly flush fit against the live centre. Works well for me and much easier than trying to chase heads and works well in any type of wood. Regards Dennis Beamish Cambridge Ontario Canada
Box is a good wood to make threads in Andrew. It's very dense with a tight grain, which is just what you want. I get small pieces from Turners retreat near Doncaster. They have boxes in their wood store with off cuts fairly cheap. I don't think they sell it on line though. Maybe if you give them a ring.
Hello there, that was a great video, many thanks ! I have bought the same multi head live centre but have the mini face plate missing. I have been wood turning now for my first year and like this tool is really good!
Thanks Lutz. To be honest I'm not sure how useful the faceplate is. I have now purchased a 3/4 16tpi bolt and some nuts, and I hope to do another video of me making a more accurate bespoke head. Cheers. Andrew
Hello Andrew, I am just watching your other video about the AT1628VS lathe from Axminster. This great machine is on my wish list! Axminster has a sale on but not for this type unfortunately but I am going to the Harrogate show next month so I keep fingers cross. best wishes Lutz
Hi Lutz. It's a brilliant machine. Axmister use them in their training center. I'm going to the Harrogate show on the Friday morning with my wish list 😊. I live near Tadcaster and you are welcome to call in and see my setup. Just send me a PM if you are interested. All the best. Andrew
Hi Andrew, many thanks for your reply again, we will be going to the show on Sunday with not a big wish list! It my 60 birthday treat so I am hoping that Axminster has that lathe on sale . If you are about then it would be lovely to meet up. Mind I have just done wood turning now for a year but well and truly hooked. Most important is I am improving but many thanks . kind regards Lutz
Sorry, but I have one more question, how stable is the lathe on a home build table? I could reduce the costs if I would buy the machine without the cast iron legs? My lathe is a bit wobbly then I turn uneven things and see the AT1628VS is a far more powerful lathe it is an important point to consider kind regards Lutz .
Hi, Andrew. Great video, but surely the faceplate allows you to create custom heads without the need to worry about cutting threads? Create a custom head with a tiny recess in the back that exactly matches the diameter of the faceplate (to ensure it's properly centred), and then use 3 screws to attach the faceplate.
Hi Steve - a great idea. I never thought of making a recess to exactly match the diameter of the faceplate. I had wondered how to take advantage of the faceplate - and you have kindly pointed me in the right direction. It was still fun having a go at cutting threads though! Cheers Andrew
I must confess the last time I tried cutting threads, it was an exercise in frustration - but I was using a thread chasing tool and the slowest speed my lathe runs is 450RPM... From reading around, it seems most people recommend something around the 250RPM mark. Never tried using a Tap and Die on wood - so it was interesting to see how you got on.
A hard wood is better than a soft wood. I believe your problem with thread quality had to do with the fact that you were threading end grain. Next time try to drill and tap a hole with without going into the end grain and you will find it's super easy and effective
I've ordered a similar live centre kit and now I'm looking forward to its arrival. I don't know whether it has the locking feature, it would be very nice. Your video is very useful, thank you! I can't wait to put in practice what I have learnt.
Thanks Attila. I hope you like it.
Cheers
Andrew
A handy thing for any occasion!
Nice video. This is quite like the Oneway live centre with the exception you can lock it off. I have found side grain taps better than end grain. I have also purchased 3/4”-16 nuts that can also be used to make custom fittings for your live centre ie a soft touch.
Hi Andrew an excellent review some interesting ideas 👍
Hi John. I'm glad you found it of some interest. Thanks for the feedback.
Cheers. Andrew
Thanks for the review. I think you are right about not going quite so deep as fast. I have the 1 x 8 tap and I have found that if I just turn it forward and back about a quarter of a turn at a time it cleans out the grooves. I ruined several before I figured that out.
When I use pine I put thin CA glue on the threads and run the tap through again. Also you can't let the tap hit the bottom of the hole. It will rip off all of the threads. Hey, practice make perfect. Keep on turning.
Christian Jensen Lubbock Texas
Hi Christian. Many thanks for such great advice. It's good to learn from my own mistakes, but advice like this really helps too.
Cheers. Andrew
Great review Andrew. The attachment I use the most is that one with the small point and the ring around it. It is especially best for working between centres as you can really tighten up the tail stock without the live centre digging in and holds the work well.
For your threading Sam Angelo does similar but he glues a nut into the work piece. To true up the attachment (nut or threaded as you did), screw it on the tail stock as you did and then have a piece of waste wood in the chuck. Bring up your attachment to the waste block and use it as a friction drive, where you can then true up your attachment. A bit like when you finish the bottom of a bowl on a friction drive.
As to the one attachment you couldn't release, I've not had that issue (only used it a couple of times). I think when it gets driven in where you can't pull it out, it should be in enough for the release mechanism to just move it before it comes off the thread.
Well done! Thoroughly enjoyed that one.
Hi Paul. Many thanks for the info. I will definitely check out Sam Angelo's channel as that seems the best approach. However, it was interesting trying to tap threads. I'm not sure why my conical head sticks out so far though.
I do think Axminster are missing a trick by not advertising the thread dimensions and indicating that it is possible to make your own bespoke heads.
Thanks again for you help and advice.
Cheers. Andrew
Was wondering whether to get this live centre set or not. Glad I found your vid. I didn't realise you could expose the thread on the end. Now I know you can, I'm gonna pick up a set. Really widens the scope for mounting options. Cheers buddy.
Hi Bisch Basch Bosch. I'm glad you found it useful. I also struggled getting information on this product. A'm sure Aminster would sell more if they provided more information about it.
Cheers
Andrew
Thanks for the video and review some good ideas Andrew
Hey, no problem. Many thanks for the feedback.
Cheers. Andrew
great video Andrew some good ideas from what I've seen side grain is a better option for tapping threads.
Hi Sam. Many thanks for your thoughts on this. I'll do some more research regarding side grain.
Cheers. Andrew
Hi Andrew
Very nice live centre kit!
Have you considered drilling an appropriate size hole in various heads and gluing (epoxy) and appropriate threaded nut into the head? Gives a very nice tight threaded fit! You can also epoxy a washer on the face of the nut to give a perfectly flush fit against the live centre. Works well for me and much easier than trying to chase heads and works well in any type of wood.
Regards
Dennis Beamish Cambridge Ontario Canada
Hi Dennis. That's a great idea. I'll try to get hold of some.
Many thanks.
Andrew
Box is a good wood to make threads in Andrew. It's very dense with a tight grain, which is just what you want. I get small pieces from Turners retreat near Doncaster. They have boxes in their wood store with off cuts fairly cheap. I don't think they sell it on line though. Maybe if you give them a ring.
Hi Stu. Thanks for the info. I quite often pass Doncaster on the A1, so I will call by sometime.
Cheers. Andrew
Hello there, that was a great video, many thanks ! I have bought the same multi head live centre but have the mini face plate missing. I have been wood turning now for my first year and like this tool is really good!
Thanks Lutz. To be honest I'm not sure how useful the faceplate is. I have now purchased a 3/4 16tpi bolt and some nuts, and I hope to do another video of me making a more accurate bespoke head.
Cheers.
Andrew
Hello Andrew, I am just watching your other video about the AT1628VS lathe from Axminster. This great machine is on my wish list! Axminster has a sale on but not for this type unfortunately but I am going to the Harrogate show next month so I keep fingers cross. best wishes
Lutz
Hi Lutz. It's a brilliant machine. Axmister use them in their training center. I'm going to the Harrogate show on the Friday morning with my wish list 😊. I live near Tadcaster and you are welcome to call in and see my setup. Just send me a PM if you are interested.
All the best.
Andrew
Hi Andrew, many thanks for your reply again, we will be going to the show on Sunday with not a big wish list! It my 60 birthday treat so I am hoping that Axminster has that lathe on sale . If you are about then it would be lovely to meet up. Mind I have just done wood turning now for a year but well and truly hooked. Most important is I am improving but many thanks . kind regards Lutz
Sorry, but I have one more question, how stable is the lathe on a home build table? I could reduce the costs if I would buy the machine without the cast iron legs? My lathe is a bit wobbly then I turn uneven things and see the AT1628VS is a far more powerful lathe it is an important point to consider kind regards Lutz .
Thanks for the video and review :)
Hi David. No problem and many thanks for commenting.
Cheers. Andrew
Hi, Andrew. Great video, but surely the faceplate allows you to create custom heads without the need to worry about cutting threads? Create a custom head with a tiny recess in the back that exactly matches the diameter of the faceplate (to ensure it's properly centred), and then use 3 screws to attach the faceplate.
Hi Steve - a great idea. I never thought of making a recess to exactly match the diameter of the faceplate. I had wondered how to take advantage of the faceplate - and you have kindly pointed me in the right direction. It was still fun having a go at cutting threads though!
Cheers
Andrew
I must confess the last time I tried cutting threads, it was an exercise in frustration - but I was using a thread chasing tool and the slowest speed my lathe runs is 450RPM... From reading around, it seems most people recommend something around the 250RPM mark. Never tried using a Tap and Die on wood - so it was interesting to see how you got on.
A hard wood is better than a soft wood. I believe your problem with thread quality had to do with the fact that you were threading end grain.
Next time try to drill and tap a hole with without going into the end grain and you will find it's super easy and effective
Thanks for the video do you know where can I purchase the axminster kit in Calgary Canada
Hi - I think Axminster would ship to Canada, but maybe import tax and carriage would be quite expensive.
Cheers
Andrew