Did I commit a stupidity? -Dead Center issue..

[Janderso]

Why only in California is what works is outlawed.

Forgive them for they know not what they do.

 

[k7cej]

A special friend got me some white lead. Shhh, don't tell the Governor.
Works great.
When you touch up a dead center in a three jaw aren't you creating an eccentric tip as soon as you remove it??

I think the most accurate way to redress your dead center is to put it directly into the headstock. In most lathes, the headstock taper is one size larger, so a sleeve is required. Even a cheap sleeve with probably be more accurate (concentric) than a 3-jaw chuck. On my lathe, I would regrind the center with the inexpensive tool-post grinder I made from a HF die grinder.