Your replies have taken me to areas of turning I've never heard of.  Rubber Chucky was a neat and great idea. The string center looked like a very old concept. A lot of set up. I made up something like Chucky. My tail stock is a kit that contains  about 6 different centers, holes, etc. I turned down a piece of Oak and drilled a hole for a round pencil eraser. I am going to try other materials too and larger erasers. Could be a great way to hold a pointed piece.

Looks like a great idea. If you can find a very large eraser, then turn a cone shape (inverted) in the center to hold your piece. Then you could make these in various sizes for different turnings.

 

By the way the Rubber Chucky has a bearing in it for the point

My tail stock has bearings too. I've never turned much else but wood. Have turned hard plastic. You have any suggestions on turning erasers or similar soft materials? I'd think carbide cutters would not work good. I think they scrape more than cut. I have cone shaped burring tools that I may try.

Have never tried but I would think that it would cut well with a sharp gouge. Another idea is to use a counter sink.

 

I have got several of this type. When I moved to CO, I had only the basic tools.We auctioned off all we had in OH before we moved here. I frequented garage and estate sales. I got some great turning tools, Most had no idea what they were used for. Even some great wood that they just wanted rid of.

I won a Jet mini lathe from Wood Magazine by random drawing and that got me started.   Help me............I can't stop 

 

No experience cutting soft things with my wood lathe

but sometime I use my grinder on my metal lathe to

cut things when normal cutter wont work.