Brand New Wood Turner - Question about Centers

[hollislocke]

At this very moment, I can't remember the model of my lathe. I just picked it up and it is in a different garage as I don't have room. I'll be able to post it tomorrow.

I bought it used and it turns out to not have any centers. Now, as I have been looking online, I've seen various numbers such as 5/8 and 1". What is this number referring to? For example, a 4 prong drive center that comes in two sizes. Is the 5/8 or 1 inch the width of the prongs? Does it refer to some other size?

If I'm looking for a tapered center, are they pretty much all the same?

I'm new enough that I might be asking the wrong questions, so please feel free to answer the correct questions for me. :)

[hollislocke]

I have a Rockwell/Delta 46-499 variable speed wood lathe.

Got it at auction from the local university.

[aametalmaster]

You should need #2MT centers. They are tapered. Sears has them if you have a local store. Here is a link to some other Delta lathes...Bob
http://www.lathes.co.uk/delta/index.html
http://www.lathes.co.uk/delta/page3.html

[hollislocke]

Bob, thank you very much! I've been searching online for that specific model to see what the various specs might be, but only found those with similar (Not exact) model numbers.

[aametalmaster]

Might want to poke around here too...Bob
http://www.owwm.com/home.aspx

[hollislocke]

SUCCESS!! The centers came in, I ripped a 2x4 down to 2x2, put it on and turned my first piece! It's completely non functional, but I turned a square piece of wood into a round piece of wood!

Now, I have questions about various tools for threading onto the lathe spindle. Let's say I wanted to tap a piece of waste stock to glue onto pieces to turn. Is there a standard size for the threaded end of my spindle? Again, I'm finding that I need to ask these questions after I've left the location of the tool, so I can't just run down and measure.

Once I know the spindle size/threads, what is the next piece of equipment I should be looking at? Scroll chucks?

Anything else I should be asking?

Thanks!