Best Live Centers

Updated May 2019
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BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We buy all products with our own funds, and we never accept free products from manufacturers.
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BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We may earn a commission if you purchase a product through our links.
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We buy all products with our own funds, and we never accept free products from manufacturers.
We may earn a commission if you purchase a product through our links.
Bottom Line
Pros
Cons
Best of the Best
Steelex
M1066 MT No. 3 Heavy-Duty Live Center
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Bottom Line

Although pricier than some other choices, it is a high-quality live center with superior accuracy and a mechanism to keep out dust and debris.

Pros

It has an mt3 taper and top-notch bearings for precision. Highly accurate (to .0003 inch).

Cons

Expensive compared to some other choices.

Lathe Centers
Morse Taper Medium Duty Live Center
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Bottom Line

This live center receives few criticisms. Owners appreciate the quality of the steel and the 60-degree points it can achieve.

Pros

Works with many lathes. Steel is high quality stainless. Bearings are smooth; the live center has a washer built in to shield bearings from grime.

Cons

Very rare complaints of inaccuracy.

Nova
Live Center System with Stepped Cone
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Bottom Line

This is a versatile live center/accessory set that includes a stepped cone.

Pros

Suitable for 2MT tailstock lathes. Performs six different functions. Quick and easy to use.

Cons

Occasional complaints about the bearings; they may not turn as well as expected.

Best Bang for the Buck
PSI Woodworking
No. 2MT Heavy Duty Live Tailstock Center
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Bottom Line

A heavy-duty, affordable live center with lots of satisfied owners.

Pros

Precise, smooth turning. Suitable for heavy-duty work. Machine is true.

Cons

Occasional complaints about quality of bearings and a high-pitched noise emanating from the live center.

PSI Woodworking
LCENTLT2X MT #2 Wood Lathe Live Center
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Bottom Line

Designed for woodworking use, it's a smooth-running, affordable live center.

Pros

Solidly built. Suitable for #2 MT lathe. Price is affordable.

Cons

Some concerns over the durability of the bearings. Rare instances of poor construction.

How we decided

We purchase every product we review with our own funds — we never accept anything from product manufacturers.

17 Models Considered
5 Hours Researched
1 Experts Interviewed
114 Consumers Consulted
Zero products received from manufacturers.

We purchase every product we review with our own funds — we never accept anything from product manufacturers.

Why trust BestReviews?
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We buy all products with our own funds, and we never accept free products from manufacturers.
We may earn a commission if you purchase a product through our links.
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We may earn a commission if you purchase a product through our links.
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We buy all products with our own funds, and we never accept free products from manufacturers.
We may earn a commission if you purchase a product through our links.

The center of a lathe is crucial for getting an accurate position on a workpiece. A live center is one that has a revolving bearing so the tip can spin with the workpiece. Compared to a dead center (one that does not turn), a live center doesn't need any extra grease or oil for lubrication. The tip can spin at high speeds and maintain its accuracy without any difficulty. This results in a more accurate lathe that will keep the workpiece balanced as it turns around. High-end live centers will have high-quality barings that create a near-frictionless spinning point for many uses.

The team that worked on this review
  • Karl
    Karl
    Writer
  • Linsay
    Linsay
    Editor
  • Melinda
    Melinda
    Web Producer
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Lathe Centers

Morse Taper Medium Duty Live Center

Lathe Centers

Morse Taper Medium Duty Live Center

This live center receives few criticisms. Owners appreciate the quality of the steel and the 60-degree points it can achieve.
$20
×

Nova

Live Center System with Stepped Cone

Nova

Live Center System with Stepped Cone

This is a versatile live center/accessory set that includes a stepped cone.
$91
×

PSI Woodworking

No. 2MT Heavy Duty Live Tailstock Center

PSI Woodworking

No. 2MT Heavy Duty Live Tailstock Center

A heavy-duty, affordable live center with lots of satisfied owners.
$18
×

Steelex

M1066 MT No. 3 Heavy-Duty Live Center

Steelex

M1066 MT No. 3 Heavy-Duty Live Center

Although pricier than some other choices, it is a high-quality live center with superior accuracy and a mechanism to keep out dust and debris.
$25
×

PSI Woodworking

LCENTLT2X MT #2 Wood Lathe Live Center

PSI Woodworking

LCENTLT2X MT #2 Wood Lathe Live Center

Designed for woodworking use, it's a smooth-running, affordable live center.
$20

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