This RGWOOD 1MT Woodlathe Drive Spur will mount right into your 1MT lathe spindle for an easy switch to spindle turning. (Need a different taper or size? Scroll down to the links at the bottom of this listing for more options.) 

What is a drive spur?

A drive spur, also called a “drive center,” is a small, pointed piece that fits right into the spindle of your wood lathe, to securely hold your work-piece in preparation for turning. This is ideal particularly for spindle turning, and works by providing a central point of contact for the tailstock live center to push against. To use a drive spur, simply insert the spur into your lathe spindle, align your project’s center with the spur, and then engage the tailstock live center to push against the work-piece and keep it stable while turning.

Key steps to using a drive spur:

Select the right size: Choose a drive spur with the correct Morse Taper to fit your lathe spindle. For example, choose a 1MT drive spur to fit a 1MT lathe, or a 2MT drive spur to fit a 2MT lathe. “Chuck drive spurs” are also available to mount into a chuck rather than directly into your lathe.

Mount the spur: Place the spur into the lathe spindle. As long as you’ve selected the right size spur for your lathe, friction and the pressure from the tailstock will keep the spur in place while turning.

Center the workpiece: Align the tip of the spur with the center of your workpiece.

Engage the tailstock: Carefully slide the tailstock live center into contact with the center of the other end of your project, applying gentle pressure to secure the workpiece.

Start turning: Once the workpiece is securely held, begin turning on the lathe at a suitable speed.

Important points to remember:

Drilling a pilot hole:
For better stability, you may need to drill a small pilot hole in the center of your workpiece to accommodate the point of the spur.

Safety first:
Always ensure the spur and the tailstock are aligned correctly before starting the lathe.