MT1 Live Center, High Precision Triple Bearing MT1 Lathe Live Revolving Center urning Milling Center Taper with 5000 RPM for Metal, Wood Workers

Bought this to replace a dead center on a wood lathe. Out of the box it appeared to be a little stiff with a slightly tight spot when turning by hand. After a little use, this seemed to work itself out. Only gave it 4 stars because I don't know what its longevity will be.

I have a Record Coronet Wood Lathe that I've had and used since about 1987. It has Morse No 1 taper sockets on both the tail-stock and main drive nose.I have a variety of live and dead centers but I prefer using a live center because it reduces heat and friction. But my old live center is looking a bit worn and the point of the cone is not as pointy and sharp as it used to be.My old live center is the type where the entire barrel rotates. That is different from this version from Zerone. That might not sound like a big deal but it makes me realize that now I could rest my fingers on the barrel for end work without touching the spinning part.All the surfaces on this live center are smoothly machined. The Morse taper is very smooth and fits my sockets well. The contact point is precise and sharp. When I turned it by hand it I can feel a scratchy resistance. I think it is one of those miraculous manufactures like a Jacobs chuck where the factory seals up some magic and nobody will ever see it again. I just ran it with a turning blank for a couple of minutes. The center would not turn until the tail-stock screw was squeezed fairly tight. It is not silent. Not screaming but not purring. I wonder whether the ball races might have got cinched a bit too tight when the magic machine did its closing action. I still think it will loosen in time.I am still pleased to add this Zerone product to my arsenal of tail-stock centers.