Lathe centre

Fixed 60° lathe centres with a Morse taper support the workpiece between centres on a lathe, for turners and machine builders who need to turn long or slender shafts accurately. They are part of the workpiece clamping accessories.

Choose the centre by the Morse taper of your tailstock or spindle. The series runs from MK 1 to MK 5: a small lathe usually takes a lower taper size, a heavier machine a higher one. A centre with the wrong taper does not seat firmly and does not run true, so check the size in the machine manual or measure the taper.

The 60° point angle matches standard centre holes. A fixed centre does not rotate with the workpiece, so there is no bearing that can develop play. That makes it suited to precision work, but the contact face needs lubrication and the speed has to be adapted to limit heat. Also check the condition of the point: a marked or blunt point passes its defect on to the workpiece. These centres belong to the ECO PRO line from International Tools.