A face driver grips the end face of the workpiece with hardened pins and drives it from there, so the whole length of the shaft is exposed and turns in a single clamping. That is the entire point: one setup instead of two, and no re-clocking in the middle.
MFC and MFCST face drivers — 15 model numbers, MT3 / MT4 / MT5 and straight shank, work sizes Ø18–100 mm, rated 55 to 100 kg, with full catalogue dimensions.
| Model | Morse taper | Workpiece | Max load |
|---|---|---|---|
| MFC10 | MT3 / MT4 / MT5 | ø18 – ø38 | 55 kg |
| MFC20 | MT3 / MT4 / MT5 | ø27 – ø55 | 60 kg |
| MFC30 | MT3 / MT4 / MT5 | ø39 – ø75 | 70 kg |
| MFC40 | MT4 / MT5 | ø55 – ø100 | 100 kg |
| MFC | Morse taper shank, the standard range |
|---|---|
| MFCST | Straight shank — for machines without a Morse taper tailstock |
| MFCDST | Self-compensating. Corrects a tapered end face up to 1.5 mm with even pressure in every direction, which extends pin and point life and cuts maintenance |
Catalogues use different names for a small number of designs. This is how the common categories map to the Mongtec range:
| Category name you may see | What it means | Mongtec |
|---|---|---|
| Face driver with Morse taper / standard face driver | Hardened pins drive the end face; the tailstock provides the axial force through a Morse taper shank | MFC, MT3 / MT4 / MT5, Ø18–100 mm |
| Cylindrical / straight-shank face driver | Same principle for tailstocks or quills without a Morse taper | MFCST straight shank |
| Compensating face driver (sold by some makers as “constant face drivers”) | The pins compensate for an end face that is not square to the axis, so every pin carries load | MFCDST self-compensating, corrects a tapered end face up to 1.5 mm |
| Power-operated face driver | Pin or clamping force applied by machine hydraulics rather than by tailstock thrust alone | Not in the published Mongtec range — send the machine and part details and it is quoted case by case |
If you run a Röhm constant face driver or another make and want an independent alternative, send three things: the type and size on the existing driver, the tailstock mounting (Morse taper size or shank diameter), and the workpiece diameter and weight at the driven end. Mongtec confirms whether an MFC, MFCST or MFCDST size covers the same job. It is a functional alternative, not a part-for-part copy, and pin pattern and point length are confirmed before quotation.
Röhm is a trademark of its owner. Mongtec Precision Inc. is an independent tooling brand with no affiliation to, endorsement by or licence from Röhm; the name is used only to describe the type of product being replaced.
| One clamping | The whole shaft is turned in one setup — no second operation, no re-alignment error |
|---|---|
| Self-seating accuracy | The driver adjusts itself to the surface of the material |
| Wear | Hardened pins and carbide points, built for repeat and volume production |
| Fits most machines | Morse taper and straight shank versions cover nearly any NC lathe |
All eleven parts of an MFC face driver can be bought separately — cover, point, pins, roller, head, urethane, shank, spring and end cover. A worn pin does not mean a new face driver.
Four things decide which Mongtec face driver fits the job. Get them right before the first part is clamped and the driver does what it is meant to do: turn the whole shaft in one clamping.
| Question | Why it matters | Mongtec range |
|---|---|---|
| Workpiece diameter at the driven end | Each size covers a diameter range, and the pins must sit fully on the end face. | MFC10 Ø18–38, MFC20 Ø27–55, MFC30 Ø39–75, MFC40 Ø55–100 mm |
| Tailstock mounting | A Morse taper driver fits one taper only, and a reducing sleeve costs rigidity. | MFC: MT3 / MT4 / MT5. MFCST: straight shank |
| Workpiece weight | Each driver size is rated for a maximum part weight. | 55, 60, 70 and 100 kg for the four sizes |
| Condition of the end face | Sawn or forged faces are rarely square to the axis. | MFCDST self-compensating: corrects a tapered end face up to 1.5 mm |
On a standard MFC the driving pins float, so each pin engages the end face. That is why an as-sawn or as-forged face can usually be driven without facing it first. When the end face is visibly out of square, choose the self-compensating MFCDST: it corrects a tapered end face of up to 1.5 mm and keeps the pressure even in every direction, so the pins and the point wear more evenly and need less attention.
The centre point locates the part while the pins carry the torque, so the centre hole has to match the driver size. Too large and the part rides on the pins; too small and the point bottoms out before the pins engage. Both show up as run-out on the finished diameter. Send the part drawing with the enquiry and Mongtec confirms the centre-hole size before you drill a batch. Full MFC and MFCST dimensions →
| Method | Best for | Limitation |
|---|---|---|
| Face driver | Shafts turned over their full length in one clamping | Not for flanged, short or unbalanced parts |
| Chuck | Short parts and flanges | The clamped length cannot be turned, so the rest of the shaft needs a second clamping |
| Driving dog between centres | Occasional one-off shafts | Slow to load, and the dog blocks one end of the part |
Request a face driver quotation →
The one whose workpiece range covers the diameter at the driven end: MFC10 for Ø18–38 mm, MFC20 for Ø27–55 mm, MFC30 for Ø39–75 mm and MFC40 for Ø55–100 mm. Where two sizes overlap, the part weight and the tailstock taper usually decide.
Yes. The MFCST straight-shank execution covers the same four sizes.
The MFCDST self-compensating version corrects a tapered end face of up to 1.5 mm.
Yes. All eleven parts of an MFC face driver are sold separately, so a worn pin or point does not mean a new driver.
Body diameters (D, D1), gauge lengths (L2, L1) and the set-screw thread (G) are in the printed catalogue and are supplied with the quotation.
Special accessories → · CNC mill tool holders →
CNC Face Drivers & Live Centers for Shaft Turning | MONGTEC
In this video: a face driver driving a gear blank, flange-mount and taper-shank face drivers with hardened driving pins, and live centers on Morse taper shanks.
