I have a Sears Craftsman 12 " wood lathe, Model #113 23800 that has a "dead" tailstock center (doesn't rotate with the stock being turned) and I'm trying to locate a live tailstock center for this machine. Sears customer service says they no longer have it so I need to find a used one or I need to know who manufactured the lathe for Sears so I can contact them to see if they can help me. Any assistance/advice would be appreciated.
Bill

did you ever find this part. I am searchig for the same thing. I started turning pens and did not realizethat i nead the live stock. Any info is appreciated

The a few common standards for tapers and threads used for lathes.

Most likely you can get 3rd party equipment.

Have you check with wooding supply house such as Rockers or Woodcraft or the turning specialty suppliers such as these.

http://www.woodturnerscatalog.com/
http://www.packardwoodworks.com/

And here are a couple of forums that are just for turning.

http://www.forums.woodnet.net/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php
http://www.sawmillcreek.org/forumdisplay.php?f=20

thanks for the links. i am still running into the same problem though. this lathe has a dead center that is a straight shaft whic is threaded at the end. The guys at woodcraft don't think I can simply buy a live center because the hole on ehte tale stock is not tapered. I almost seems like I could use the taper live stock and just insert it even though it is not tapered. Any ideas

Try these sites to help you with your problem.
http://www.owwm.com/

http://dgroups.woodmagazine.com/n/pfx/forum.aspx?webtag=machinery