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2 prong Spur Centers

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2 prong Spur Centers

#1

2 prong Spur Centers

Bud

>Hello All,

Hope everybody�s in the Xmas spirit!.

I have never used a 2 prong spur center, it seems a lot of better turners are using them. Thinking about getting a new �chuck spur center� from Bestwoods and thinking about getting the 2 prong version, heard it was better for uneven ends and shifting the wood axis around. Was worried that a large piece would want to lean to the "spurless" side of the center if not driven deep enough, because of no support. Do many of you use them? If so any disadvantages? Your thoughts are appreciated.

Merry Xmas and NO turning accidents for the new year!

Bud

Re: 2 prong Spur Centers

#2

Re: 2 prong Spur Centers

Jennifer@Indy.USA

>Hi Bud,

I use one almost all of the time. I especially like it for doing natural edge bowls. I'm not sure why but it seems to grab better? I think I bought mine from Best Woods too.

Go for it....I think you'll like it.

Jennifer

Re: 2 prong Spur Centers

#3

Re: 2 prong Spur Centers

Charles Bjorgen

>I first learned about using two prong drive centers watching a Dale Nish demo on natural edge bowls at the 2001 Symposium in St. Paul. He recommended for natural edge bowls to drill through the bark end to solid wood with a spade bit same size as the drive center, then with a mallet drive the center across the grain to seat the spurs. This does allow for adjusting the blank to even up the natural edged side before shaping the exterior.

If you have an extra four prong center, you could just grind off two the the spurs and create your own.

Re: 2 prong Spur Centers

#4

Re: 2 prong Spur Centers

Peter Teubel

>I use them exclusivily for turning green wood (bowl stock, of course). I drill thru the bark to solid wood and hammer the spur drive AT LEAST 1/2" deep. You should see my mallet...more like a caveman club. I use the Woodcraft 2-prong spur because it has very long "spurs" (for lack of a better word).

Re: 2 prong Spur Centers

#5

A differnet opinion, and an offer.

Dinyar Chavda

>Bud:

I have a dissenting view. I bought a 2-prong center, as I do a lot of natural edge turning, and I often adjust the piece on the lathe as it reveals itself. Because the general opinion seemed to be that this kind of work was best done on a 2-prong center, I got one, and tried to use it, and have had no success whatsoever. TO the point where I have gone back to the 4-prong. While they are not expensive, if I were you, I'd try a 2-prong vs a 4-prong, and see which one worked for me before plunking down money for it.

COme to think of it, I haven't used mine in ages, and it's just sitting there. It's a no-name (probably from a place like Busy Bee Tools out of Canada, bought when the US dollar was worth something)---I think it is a 1", and if you send me you address, I'll mail it to you, and you can have it as an unexpected, belated Xmas present. Let me know.

Re: 2 prong Spur Centers

#6

Re: A differnet opinion, and an offer.

Bud

>Hi Dinyar,

That is a very kind offer of you indeed! I�m sorry the 2 prong didn�t work for you. The 2 prong I was looking at is a massive one that fits in a chuck from Bestwoods, (check out the link) I believe it�s almost 2 inches across, and probably be a lot more stable than the one you have tried. My understanding is a lot of good turners use them for roughing out wood for the reasons you stated you got yours. The down side is it is expensive (now on sale for $45, normally $50). But check out the link. The other advantage of these is of course no need to take the chuck off & put it on, when you want to switch between chuck & center

. http://www.store.yahoo.com/bestwoodtools/2flutquiccha.html

Thanks again & merry Xmas

Bud