Looking for Steady Rest Ideas

[Andrew_D]

Hi all,

Well, I am hoping to finally start the steady rest for my 20" McDougall Lathe. Just have to finish a couple of projects first...

Powder Keg's thread a while back got me thinking more about it and I have a shaft to repair that needs a steady due to length, so I am collecting ideas...

Here's Powder Keg's Thread: http://madmodder.net/index.php?topic=3791.0
That thread mentions two similar ideas, albeit for smaller lathes: http://www.gadgetbuilder.com/SteadyRest.html & http://www.jrbentley.com/workshop.html

I'm thinking of eventually making 2 steadies: One to handle smaller stuff - say up to the swing over the cross-slide. And a second one to handle from there to as big a swing as possible. The lathe swings about 20 1/2" max, so if the steady could handle 16-18", that should be lots.

Does anybody out there have any more ideas, photos, links, etc. on building a steady?

Andrew

[Andrew_D]

I also found:

Popular Mechanics Article: http://users.netonecom.net/~swordman/graphics/machinery/srest_56.jpg
Practical Machinist Thread: http://www.practicalmachinist.com/vb/general/shop-built-steady-rest-187195/

I also tried looking on E-Bay, etc. for a used one to fit a 16"-20" lathe, with the idea that I modify the base to fit my lathe. However, between the asking price and the shipping ($$$$$$), it's looking cheaper to make something. Also, most of the ones on E-Bay are only around 4"-8" hole size.

Andrew

[John Stevenson]

Andrew,
I made one some years ago for a large TOS lathe and I needed it in a hurry.
I finished up 'designing' a two part hinged opening type.



Sorry a bit blurred but it's about 24" on the tape.

The lower half consists of 4 pieces of 10mm thick plate laser cut all the same and the Vee's have been cut in to fit the bed.
The top half is again 4 pieces all the same but just semi circular.

The bottom and top are 'paired' by cutting off two of the ears on each end and the opposites on the other half.



The whole lot if fastened together by countersunk allen headed screws. Once each half has been bolted up two 17.5mm holes were drill in each and then tapped 20 x 2.5mm to take 4 pieces of studding.

Once the laser cutters had delivered the 8 plates it took about 1/2 a day to get to completed.



Steady in action.

John S.

[Andrew_D]

Andrew,
I made one some years ago for a large TOS lathe and I needed it in a hurry.
I finished up 'designing' a two part hinged opening type.

Sorry a bit blurred but it's about 24" on the tape.

The lower half consists of 4 pieces of 10mm thick plate laser cut all the same and the Vee's have been cut in to fit the bed.
The top half is again 4 pieces all the same but just semi circular.

The bottom and top are 'paired' by cutting off two of the ears on each end and the opposites on the other half.

The whole lot if fastened together by countersunk allen headed screws. Once each half has been bolted up two 17.5mm holes were drill in each and then tapped 20 x 2.5mm to take 4 pieces of studding.

Once the laser cutters had delivered the 8 plates it took about 1/2 a day to get to completed.

Steady in action.

John S.

I think I've seen that steady before in a thread...I'd forgotten about it...thanks!

Andrew

[Andrew_D]

So first I was thinking of three fingers on the steady. Two on the bottom - 120º apart, one centered on the top.

But now I'm thinking that if I use four, I'll be able to have a lifting eye in the center-top.

Thoughts???

Andrew

[Pete]

http://homepage3.nifty.com/amigos/fixed_steady/fixed_steady-e.htm