Abstract: A spring-loaded live center formed by an adapter mounted on a ball bearing live center. The adapter includes a hollow locating housing arrangeable on the live center, a center slidably arranged in a central bore of the hollow housing, and a spring disposed within and extending from a recess provided in the center. The spring biases the center against the live center. A longitudinal groove and a wedge-shaped groove are provided in the center for permitting screws, and the like, disposed in holes provided in the housing to cooperate with the grooves and limit the sliding movement and to lock the center, respectively, relative to the housing.