Overview

A live center lathe tool supports the free end of a long workpiece in the tailstock, letting it rotate freely on preloaded ball bearings — no friction heating, no workpiece marking. Unlike a dead center, the 60° hardened tip rotates with the workpiece, so you can run at normal turning speeds without stopping to lubricate. Select MT2 (mini lathe), MT3 (bench lathe), or MT4 (larger bench lathe) to match your tailstock taper.

Available Options

• MT2 — fits mini and bench lathe tailstocks (e.g., Sieg C2/SC2/C3, Harbor Freight 7x10/7x12, Grizzly G0765/G0602/G8688, South Bend 9", Atlas/Craftsman 12x36, Jet BD-X Series, Autobox 7x14/8x16)
• MT3 — fits larger bench lathe tailstocks (e.g., Grizzly G4000/G4002, Precision Matthews PM-1022V)
• MT4 — fits larger floor-model lathes — contact us to confirm fit

Key Features

• 60° hardened point — standard angle for center-drilled workpieces in metal and wood lathes
• Preloaded ball bearings support the rotating tip — eliminates friction heat at turning speeds
• Morse Taper shank with tang end — ejects with a standard lathe drift, no drawbar required
• Three taper sizes available (MT2, MT3, MT4) — one listing covers mini lathe through larger bench lathe
• Hardened steel tip and body — resists deformation under axial tailstock pressure
• Also fits bench-top drill presses with matching MT2 or MT3 spindle taper

Specifications

Compatibility

Match the taper size to your tailstock — not your headstock. Most lathes have a smaller tailstock taper than their headstock.

• MT2 tailstock: Autobox 7x14 / 8x16, Harbor Freight 7x10 (#93212), Harbor Freight 7x12 (#44142), Sieg C2 / SC2 / C3, Central Machinery 7x10 / 7x12, Grizzly G0602, Grizzly G0765 (7x14), Grizzly G8688 (7x12), Micro-Mark 7x16, LittleMachineShop HiTorque 7x16, Atlas / Craftsman 12x36, South Bend 9", Logan 200 / 400, Jet BD-X Series
• MT3 tailstock: Grizzly G4000 / G4002, Precision Matthews PM-1022V
• MT4 tailstock: Larger bench and floor lathes with MT4 tailstock quill — message us with your model to confirm

Not sure if it fits? Message us with your machine model — we'll confirm before you order.

What's in the Box

• 1× Live Center in your selected taper (MT2, MT3, or MT4)

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Live center vs dead center — what's the difference?
A: A live center (also called a revolving center) has internal ball bearings so the tip rotates with the workpiece. A dead center does not rotate — it requires slow speeds and frequent lubrication to avoid burning the workpiece. For most metal and wood turning, a live center is the standard choice.

Q: Which taper do I need?
A: Check your lathe's tailstock taper — typically stamped on the quill or listed in the manual. MT2 fits most 7x10 through 8x16 mini lathes. MT3 fits most bench lathes (South Bend 9", Grizzly G4000, Jet BD-X). MT4 fits larger bench lathes. Note: your tailstock taper is usually smaller than your headstock taper — do not confuse the two.

Q: Do I need a center drill before using a live center?
A: Yes. The workpiece end must have a center-drilled pilot hole (60° countersink) before the live center tip can seat properly. Without it the tip will skate off center and damage the workpiece. See our 7 PC HSS Center Drill Bit Set if you need one.

Q: How do I remove the live center from the tailstock?
A: Use a lathe drift — insert it through the tailstock's ejector slot and tap to push the tang end out. Do not use a drawbar; these are tang-type shanks, not drawbar-type.

Q: Is this the same as a straight shank live center?
A: No. These are Morse Taper shanks (MT2, MT3, or MT4), not straight shanks. Straight shank live centers are a different product category used in different machine setups. Confirm your tailstock accepts a Morse Taper before ordering.

Why Buy from Autobox

• Ships from Toledo, OH — typical 3-5 business day delivery to most US addresses
• 30-day returns, no restocking fee
• US-based customer support — email us a photo of your tailstock and we'll confirm fit before you order
• All three taper sizes in one listing — MT2, MT3, and MT4 — no hunting across multiple pages