Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #4292 in Home Improvement
• Brand: PSI Woodworking
• Model: LCENTSS22
• Dimensions: 1.50" h x 1.50" w x 4.50" l,

Features

• The PSI Super Center Crown compatible with headstocks with #2MT spindles
• Get a better bite on your spindle with more teeth for a strong grip while still providing equal pressure and a positive drive
• Spring loaded point simplifies spindle centering and retracts to avoid spitting your work when tailstock pressure is applied
• Ships in plastic production sleeves at 4.8-ounces
• 4.5-by-1.5-by-1.5-inches with 1-inch crown

From the Manufacturer
Get a better bite on your spindle with PSI's new 1" Super Center. More teeth give a better bite while providing equal pressure and a positive drive. There is no need to hammer your drive center into the work piece and risk splitting your work.

Customer Reviews

Vastly better than expected
I have used a Sorby and another similar model and I think this one is every bit as nice as the Sorby, biggest difference is the size of the "teeth", Sorby's are smaller. I don't think this difference affects usage.

In all honesty I was amazed when I opened the plastic case it comes in and saw it. The construction and fit and finish are extremely good.

Update 12/08:
We now have 2 of these at the facility where I teach as well and they have held up great. Many of my students are so pleased with them they end up buying them as well.

Great for 'soft' hard woods
Overall it's a good tool. Center is accurate within +/- .002, the retracting pin retracts smoothly and the chuck offers better grip than the standard, came with the lathe, drive center.

A downside; when working with softer hardwoods like oak and hickory, etc, the drive center offers great bite. When working with very dense wood like african blackwood and mopani any excess above the normal amount of stress on the piece will cause the spur center to slip requiring you to remove the workpiece and brush the spurs to get a good bite back. Kind of annoying but not a deal breaker. If every other spur were removed I believe it would be an exceptional tool. Either way, my standard drive center is a permanent bench warmer.

Lathe drive center
Much of the challenge in wood turning is holding the wood. You can use a heavy center after cutting cross slots and a drilling a hole; 3 finger chucks to squeeze the wood; face plates after drilling holes. But if you want something quick to hold 1-2 inch stock with no preparation, this is it. I use it at least 50 percent of the time. Its spring loaded center and fine teeth allow me to mount wood quickly in about 30 seconds. The scar that it leaves is usually less than 1/32 inch. Best of all, I've never had it split the wood like my other centers.