Typical turning between the tailstock and drive centres can be seen below. The wood to be turned, is held securely between the centres. A drive centre is used at the headstock side of the lathe (left). This rotates, powered by the motor. A dead centre or a live centre (preferred), is used at the tailstock side (right). Grease is applied to the ‘point’ of the dead centre and this allows the wood to rotate, as a dead centre does not rotate itself. A live centre revolves on its own set of bearings and does not require grease.

All wood turning requires training by an instructor, as lathes can be extremely dangerous if misused.