Author Topic: Steady for Harrison  (Read 619 times)

Offline shipto

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Steady for Harrison
« on: March 14, 2024, 03:01:48 PM »
I find myself in need of a steady for my lathe and looking around was 1) not able to find anything suitable 2)  :bugeye: shocked at the prices. So whats a Madmodder to do?
I am making one, I started by making something to sit on the bed from some channel (pic1) this bit is complete. did not have phone in shed so actual pictures will come later.
Next bit is the make the guide ring? and so far I have bored out the holes for the guides themselves.
Will post more as I go along.
Turns out this life c**p is just one big distraction from death but a good one. For the love of god dont give yourself time to think.
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Offline BillTodd

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Re: Steady for Harrison
« Reply #1 on: March 14, 2024, 03:25:13 PM »
The steady doesn't have to be accurate but does need rigidity. Don't be 'greedy: and make it too big   .  If you need to support the centre of a long bar,  consider how you get it on and off .
Bill

Offline shipto

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Re: Steady for Harrison
« Reply #2 on: March 14, 2024, 04:18:27 PM »
I did think about making it split but decided against that so it will be a case of feeding the bar through as best as I can. I must admit rigidity is one of my concerns which I hopefully will be able to cope with once I have welded this hexagon up, Maybe with the use of some extra round plates front and back.
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Offline philf

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Re: Steady for Harrison
« Reply #3 on: March 14, 2024, 06:29:17 PM »
The hex doesn't look thick enough to properly support the pins. I'd probably go for twice the diameter. You could always weld bushes or screw them in.
Phil Fern
Location: Marple, Cheshire

Offline shipto

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Re: Steady for Harrison
« Reply #4 on: March 15, 2024, 12:05:50 PM »
I think if its needed this would solve any issues in that area.
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Offline shipto

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Re: Steady for Harrison
« Reply #5 on: March 15, 2024, 12:52:19 PM »
As for the pins this is my first thoughts.
The end of the highlighted shaft will be threaded to secure them in place which will be set by a number of spacers I can put either side dependent on the stock I am turning. The keyway will allow me to fully tighten it without it turning.
Inside will be a sprung brass bar with a screw to set it against the stock.
Turns out this life c**p is just one big distraction from death but a good one. For the love of god dont give yourself time to think.
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Offline philf

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Re: Steady for Harrison
« Reply #6 on: March 16, 2024, 09:41:07 AM »
As for the pins this is my first thoughts.
The end of the highlighted shaft will be threaded to secure them in place which will be set by a number of spacers I can put either side dependent on the stock I am turning. The keyway will allow me to fully tighten it without it turning.
Inside will be a sprung brass bar with a screw to set it against the stock.

I assume that the spring is just there to stop the insert falling out?

How much adjustment will you have before needing to swap spacers?
Phil Fern
Location: Marple, Cheshire

Offline shipto

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Re: Steady for Harrison
« Reply #7 on: March 16, 2024, 06:41:13 PM »
As for the pins this is my first thoughts.
The end of the highlighted shaft will be threaded to secure them in place which will be set by a number of spacers I can put either side dependent on the stock I am turning. The keyway will allow me to fully tighten it without it turning.
Inside will be a sprung brass bar with a screw to set it against the stock.

I assume that the spring is just there to stop the insert falling out?

How much adjustment will you have before needing to swap spacers?
The spring will hold the pins back so the stock can be fed through without them getting in the way and I am thinking of somewhere in the region of 20-25mm before I have to swap the spacers to get the next 20-25mm. quickly mocked up the pin with freecad still need to go through the details in my head yet however.
Turns out this life c**p is just one big distraction from death but a good one. For the love of god dont give yourself time to think.
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Offline shipto

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Re: Steady for Harrison
« Reply #8 on: March 18, 2024, 01:32:07 PM »
Finally some real pictures, I have done the guide thing bit and I am sure that rigidity will not be an issue on this at least.
Turns out this life c**p is just one big distraction from death but a good one. For the love of god dont give yourself time to think.
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Offline philf

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Re: Steady for Harrison
« Reply #9 on: March 18, 2024, 02:17:35 PM »
Looking good!
Phil Fern
Location: Marple, Cheshire

Offline vtsteam

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Re: Steady for Harrison
« Reply #10 on: March 22, 2024, 02:56:45 PM »
That does look nice!  :thumbup: :thumbup: :beer:
I love it when a Plan B comes together!
Steve
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4sDubB0-REg

Offline shipto

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Re: Steady for Harrison
« Reply #11 on: March 23, 2024, 08:23:39 AM »
Progress so far: I have made the brass holders and all thats left to do on them is to bore the end once I have the brass which I forgot to pick up on friday  :doh: then work out how I make the adjusters. I am thinking that the end caps might do double duty but not decided yet.
Turns out this life c**p is just one big distraction from death but a good one. For the love of god dont give yourself time to think.
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Offline shipto

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Re: Steady for Harrison
« Reply #12 on: March 23, 2024, 01:34:28 PM »
Spacers are made and with them in the way shown it will take about 65mm bar. I may need to make some half size spacers but need to get hold of more tube for that as I just about had enough for these.
Turns out this life c**p is just one big distraction from death but a good one. For the love of god dont give yourself time to think.
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Offline shipto

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Re: Steady for Harrison
« Reply #13 on: March 24, 2024, 09:22:51 AM »
Decided against making the end nuts do double duty and have knocked up 3 7/8UNEF grub screws instead. pic makes them look much worse than they are but I really should have faced them after parting them off but its not like I'm going to give them anyone else.
Turns out this life c**p is just one big distraction from death but a good one. For the love of god dont give yourself time to think.
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Offline shipto

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Re: Steady for Harrison
« Reply #14 on: March 26, 2024, 03:28:20 PM »
Bit more progress, made some knurled nuts which I had intended to add some slots for a C spanner but I really hope they are not needed because that knurling has come out really well.
Turns out this life c**p is just one big distraction from death but a good one. For the love of god dont give yourself time to think.
https://myshedblog.wordpress.com/