Just my feelings -- nothing scientific...

While I suspect that the major use of this drive is for green blanks,
some are harder than others. In a harder wood, it might make sense to
use just 2 blades so that they can be driven in farther than you would
be able to with 4 blades. They'd go in especially nicely if aligned
with the grain.

But, one major advantage of using two over four is that it is easier to
adjust the orientation of the blank as things develop and you see that
you don't have it oriented optimally.

Anyway, that is one of the major reasons I designed it the way I did and
call it a convertible drive center. Run with 2, run with 4, run with 3
if you like, or none. I would get a magnetic dish, though, so you don't
lose the blades and bolts when they are out.

BTW, I think that a 6-blade drive is wrong-headed and can't think of any
use for it at all.

Bill

Desert Rat wrote:
I have talked to several woodturnings in the Arizona Woodturners
Association, that feel the two prong drive center is a lot stronger
than the four prong. It also has less problems with stripping out
because the force is at two points instead of four.

What are your feelings in this area.

Art

Bill Rubenstein wrote:
All:

This is a commercial message.

I've developed a new product and think that it could be of interest to
many turners who own lathes with a 1 1/4 x 8 spindle.

If you own one of these, please take a look at
http://www.stubbylatheusa.com/Produc...enterFlyer.pdf

This drive center is made here and is the first of what I hope will be a
small product line of superior items. I've been frustrated by products
on the market which clearly have not been used by their manufacturers or
where the manufacturers just don't seem to understand what we want and need.

Bill Rubenstein
Stubby Lathe USA, Inc.
Web: www.stubbylatheusa.com
Email: