Just what the title says. When I turned my table legs and the pepper mil the parts were (almost) always mounted between centers. I also wore my safety glasses as well as a full face shield. So here's my question: when turning between centers is the face shield needed? My question comes from the workpiece being fairly solidly trapped and unlikely to fly off the lathe as opposed to, say, a bowl or other chuck held workpiece. I will admit, when I was sanding the pieces I don't think I had my faceshield down, but otherwise it was in place.

I always wear a face shield, well almost always. 
 

Even though the piece is captive at each end,  a bad catch can rip it loose. 
 

Now when sanding, you can probably get away with just safety glasses 

I wear a face shield for bowls and other large turnings but don't for small items like ornaments.  I agree with you for spindle turnings.  They are relatively safe unless there is an unknown crack and it splits apart.

Just my .02.  I wear mine all the time.  It's not just protection from forceful impacts of a runaway.  It's to keep small chips of wood out of my eyes.  

 

 

.40

Always wear safety shield

Absolutely, without fail, always wear your face shield. Even a small turning at high rpm can hit with a lot of force.