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How to Turn Between Centers With a Lathe Dog
Guide · Updated October 28, 2026
Turning between centers holds a part on two 60° center holes, driven by a lathe dog clamped on the part and a drive plate or faceplate on the spindle. Because the centers locate the part, you can remove it and put it back without losing concentricity.
Check the diameter
Between-centers parts are often precision shafts. Check your mic against gage blocks first. The free Gage Block Calculator builds the stack.
Step by step
- Center drill both ends: Use a center drill so both ends have clean 60° center holes.
- Install the headstock center: Fit a dead center in the spindle (or turn a true 60° point in the chuck) so it runs true.
- Mount the drive plate: Fit the drive plate or faceplate, and clamp the lathe dog on the part.
- Set the tailstock: Use a live center, or grease a dead center, and snug it so the part turns without play.
- Check alignment: Take a light cut and measure both ends; adjust the tailstock until they match.
- Turn the part: Feed toward the headstock; keep cuts moderate so the dog does not slip.
- Flip for the dog end: Move the dog to the finished end, protect the surface, and finish the rest.
Worked example
A 10 in long shaft is turned to 0.750 in. A test cut measures 0.7510 in at the tailstock end and 0.7500 in at the headstock end, so the tailstock is offset toward the tool by about 0.0005 in on radius. Move the tailstock away 0.0005 in, recut, and both ends read within 0.0002 in. Flipped end-for-end, the shaft indicates under 0.0005 in TIR.
Dogs, plates and faceplates
Bent-tail dogs engage a slot in the drive plate; straight-tail dogs bear on a pin. A faceplate also holds odd-shaped work bolted down; balance it with counterweights and keep speeds low.
Common problems
Chatter usually means a loose tailstock center or a dog that rattles. Taper means tailstock misalignment. Burned center holes mean a dry dead center or too much pressure.
Tips
- Tailstock: aligning the tailstock.
- Long parts: steady rest and follow rest.
- Runout: runout and TIR.
FAQ
Why turn between centers?
You can remove and replace the part without losing concentricity.
Do I need a live center?
A live center is easiest; a dead center works with grease.
How tight should the tailstock be?
Snug with no play, not so tight it heats the center.
Can I use a chuck instead of a drive plate?
Yes, with a turned center in the chuck and the dog against a jaw.
What causes taper between centers?
Tailstock offset; align it with test cuts.
Related guides and calculators
- How to Align a Lathe Tailstock
- How to Center Drill and Spot Drill
- How to Use a Steady Rest
- Runout and TIR Basics
- How to Face on a Lathe
- How to Cut Acme Threads on a Lathe
- How to Use a Live Center
- How to Use a Dead Center
- How to Turn a Journal on a Lathe
- All free machinist calculators
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