The 8 Best Wood Lathe drive centers (2023 reviews)

The vinwox wood lathe drive center is long-lasting, rigid and fits well with your regular usage like a dream. This chuck comes with an adapter to go from 1"x8tpi to3/4"x16tpi. It is designed for mini, midi and heavy duty wood lathe in medium speed and high speed. It does indeed fit perfectly on the harbor freight lathe. It makes turning a breeze to add to that it is designed for the mini lathe.

This chuck is heavy for it's small size and very rigid. The lathe itself is perfectly centered, including the chuck that comes with the lathe, but attaching this chuck, causes the jaws to wobble about 1.5mm. It also comes with an adapter for 3/4" by 16 for smaller lathes.

Why We Like This:

Turns smoothly, internal ball bearing precision
Precision granded high quality, high hardness hrc80 carbide tip for long life centering service
Total high grade steel construction live center for heavy duty load
Holds projects, on average 12”l x 9”w dry fire wood, with no problems

Best heavy duty Product: PSI Woodworking Wood Lathe drive Center

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This drive center has a spring-loaded center point, which saves you from having to drill a hole in your workpiece, or pound your drive center into it like a nail in order to mount it on the lathe. The sharp spurs on this drive center give a strong bite into the wood. If your lath is set up for a number 2 Morse taper then this will work for you if it's a number 1 or 3 more taper then it will not work.

The spring-loaded center is a good option. This is a very well made spur, like the spring loaded tip. The drive center features a spring-loaded center point that simplifies positioning your spindle and retracts to avoid splitting your work when tailstock pressure is applied. The product is robust, sharp and adjustable.

Why We Like This:

Holds the wood or resin block securely
Spring-loaded center point retracts when tailstock pressure is applied
Spring-loaded center point simplifies positioning of your spindle

Best For metal Lathe: Almhs Wood Lathe drive Center

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Compared with other center in this category, the almhs wood lathe drive center has a convenient design. The center pin point gets easily bent, and the edges of the four spur blades fold over. It is tapered and you drive it out with a pin through the hole in the other end. It has no set-screw to hold the pin in place. These are well made and the package is very nice. It will have a very limited life span.

Why We Like This:

Good brand reputation
Good investment for long term

Best Center: Wen Wood Lathe drive Center

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The wen wood lathe drive center is satisfactory and appropriate and fits well with your daily usage. The Taper fits perfectly into any lathe with an mt2 tailstock. It comes with a crown measuring in at 3/4 inches in diameter, this versatile center helps woodworkers meet the needs of a variety of turning applications. Internal ball bearings provide a smooth, concentric ride for your workpiece.

It is solid and extends slightly higher than the surrounding teeth. It is crafted with maximum precision for high accuracy performance. It is also allows for compatibility with all the wen mt2 lathe models, including 3424, 3424t, 34018, 3427, 34027 and. The threaded insert comes loose repeatedly.

Why We Like This:

Works beautifully, free spinning and holds well
Lot of satisfied buyers

Best For Lathe Chuck: Taytools Wood Lathe drive Center

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Next on the list, we've got yet another center that manages to win our hearts. It's the taytools wood lathe drive center and it's widely considered as one of the best convenient center you can buy. It makes a usable accessory for a jaw chuck, but if you want to do any serious spindle turning, better off getting a quality spur center that fits your morse taper. It fits Nova G3 and it is good for spinal turnings. It’s really nice being able to turn longer pieces without removing the chuck. The spring-loaded center point contacts the workpiece first, then retracts into the center when pressure is applied preventing splitting of your workpiece.

It is superior to traditional 4-prong centers that come in stock with most lathes. The spring has a good feel in terms of tensioning to set how much of a catch will cause it to work to stop spinning.

Why We Like This:

Easy to use, even with chuck and jaws
Concentric, good grip and the spring feature is handy
Works just as well as a higher end "safety" spur

Best For Mini Wood Lathe: Texalan Wood Lathe drive Center

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If you often find yourself scrambling for convenient and suitable center, texalan wood lathe drive center should be your first option for buying. This drive center is easier to use and holds wood blanks more securely. It is used on lathe with a lathe bored tailstock, and is perfect for both wood and metalworking lathe. It pretty quickly starts to just spin in the wood at higher lathe speeds. The spring loaded center is a nice added touch. It is compatible with headstocks with #1mt spindles.

Why We Like This:

Great holding power with teeth that bites into the work piece
New and hot release

Best For smaller turnings: Forrester Wood Lathe drive Center

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The forrester wood lathe drive center is satisfactory and appropriate and fits well with your daily purpose. The Crown 24 point drive centers are the easiest drive center to use. It easily mounts into most woodlathe chucks eliminating the need to remove your chuck to use the spur. The spring mounted center point makes mount your wood easy. The part that locks is the exact same diameter as the shaft.

These should fit pretty much any type of 4-jaw self-centering chuck. It offers superior grip with less tear out. It is ideal for smaller turnings.

Why We Like This:

Drive for standard use, 5/8" drive for smaller projects
Lot of satisfied buyers

Best For getting A Wood piece: Nova Wood Lathe drive Center

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We would, of course, be remiss if we didn't mention nova wood lathe drive center for regular usage. This ingenious drive center should become a popular tool among spindle turners. This is designed to fit in a four jaw wood turning chuck as a drive center so you do not have to remove your chuck. It will power through even the heaviest cuts.

The flexible point spring-loaded center point allows you to set your workpiece in place (or remove it) with the lathe turning. It will drive your work, but allow it to stop if you have a catch, minimizing damage to your workpiece. This item is great for getting a wood piece balanced.

Why We Like This: