Fig. 770.
Fig. 771.
[Fig. 768] represents two views of a fork centre to be placed in the cone spindle of the lathe, and serve as a live centre, while also driving the work; c is a sharp conical point, which should run true, because it serves to centre the work; d, e are two wings which enter the wood to drive it. This device answers well for work that can be finished without taking it in and out of the lathe, it being difficult to place the work in the lathe so as to run true after removal therefrom; in case, however, that this should become necessary, the work should be replaced so that each wing falls into its original impression. For heavy work this device is unsuitable, hence the two plates shown in [Fig. 769] are employed, being termed centre plates. They are composed of iron and are held to the work by screws passing through the respective holes shown at the corners of the plates. The plate having the round centre hole is for the dead centre end of the work, while that having the rectangular slot is for the live centre end of the work. The rectangular slot is made a close fit to the wings of the fork centre shown in figure. [Figs. 770] and [771] represent a spur centre designed to hold pieces of soft wood, that may be liable to split from the pressure of the centres. The spurs are made parallel on their outer surfaces, while the inner ones are at an angle, so as to close the wood around the central point, and not spread the wood outwards. The plate for the dead centre is formed on the same principle as is shown in [figure 769].
Fig. 772.