Yes ! The cut away always to the cutter .As long as the center is ground less than half way thru it will center the piece . Any more than half way it won't center and the part can flex away from the cutter whatever it may be . Think of a shaft in a hole . If you grind half the shaft away it can move . Less than half way thru the shaft is still locked in the hole .So, do you position the clearance ground side up/toward the cutting tool?
No , me either ! These centers are ideal for cylindrical grinders as the wheel must come completely off the tailstock end of the piece . When grinding large shafts the wheel will break down on each side . It may only be a tenth or 2 , but when you're tolerance is +.0002 / -.0000 it matters !You would right after you bury your cutter into the center. Not that I would know anything about that. No not me.