Soft Centres supplier ?

Soft centres seem to have completely gone out of fashion. When you talk about live centres these days, people think you mean rotating centres:-(

I've taken to turning my own from blank arbours...

Mark Rand RTFM

What is a "soft centre", please?

AND

How does a live centre differ from a rotating centre?

TIA

Brian

Soft centre is placed in spindle taper and turned in situ to 60 degrees and thus is dead nuts concentric with the spindle. A rotating centre (normally equipped with a sealed thrust & radial race set) would usually be used in the tailstock in place of a hard centre, thus reducing the likelyhood of overheating from lack of lubrication.

AWEM

In article , Boo writes

I've been looking at 3MT centres for my newly acquired lathe, it seems that all the ones in the usual suppliers' lists are hardened. I think your best bet would be to buy a 3MT blank arbour and turn a 60 deg point on it yourself (or of course make your own blank).

David

In article , Brian Reay writes

Strawberry Creme or Orange Fondue. Left when the edible choc's are gone. Even our grandchildren are wise to them - yech.

John

What about buying an el cheapo hardened centre and annealing the end?

Tim

Thanks to all who replied, blank arbours look like the easiest bet for me, especially since I have one lying around somewhere.