MadModder

The Shop => Tools => Topic started by: sbwhart on March 10, 2011, 03:48:37 AM

Title: Small fixed steady
Post by: sbwhart on March 10, 2011, 03:48:37 AM

I've been asked by a fellow model engineer if I could help out with a tricky bit of machining that he just doesn't have the kit for. Its a long slender 5/32 screw cut butress thread, that needs a fixed steady to make.
 
The fixed steadies you get suplied with most lathes are far too big for small slender jobs, so I decided to make my own, I've seen this design someware before so its not mine just my interpretation on it.

This is it quite simple realy.

(http://i431.photobucket.com/albums/qq32/sbwhart/Modmodder/100_4965.jpg)

It just clamps to the running centre, this is how you use it.

(http://i431.photobucket.com/albums/qq32/sbwhart/Modmodder/100_4971.jpg)

I'll post a few more pics when I cut the thread, fingers crossed.  :ddb:

Stew

Title: Re: Small fixed steady
Post by: tomrux on March 10, 2011, 04:35:40 AM

what a bril idea.
if you made it with 2 fingers and put a small bearing on each.
definately on my list.
dont have any steadies at all. dont see me needing much more than this

Tom

Title: Re: Small fixed steady
Post by: sbwhart on March 10, 2011, 04:52:32 AM

Hi Tom

To get the best use out of it you need to make yourself one of these,

http://madmodder.net/index.php?topic=1208.0

http://madmodder.net/index.php?topic=1239.0

Fitting bearings would be a Rolls Royce job not sure if it would work any better though.

Stew

Title: Re: Small fixed steady
Post by: sbwhart on March 10, 2011, 07:04:13 AM

Just completed screw cutting the butress thread with the steady worked like a dream.

(http://i431.photobucket.com/albums/qq32/sbwhart/Modmodder/100_4978.jpg)

And just to show it wasn't a fluke

(http://i431.photobucket.com/albums/qq32/sbwhart/Modmodder/100_4979.jpg)

Made a few extra.

As I had to under cut the rod for tool run out I'm going to cut the threaded part off turn a small spiggot on it and join it back onto the main rod with silver solder.

Stew

Title: Re: Small fixed steady
Post by: Stilldrillin on March 10, 2011, 08:19:40 AM

Oohhh.....  STEW!  :bugeye:

I really, really like that.  :thumbup:

Blummin well done!  :clap: :clap:

David D

Title: Re: Small fixed steady
Post by: DICKEYBIRD on March 10, 2011, 09:15:32 AM

I like that one; a great idea!  I need to make one of your little centers too. :beer:

I cobbled up this rig a couple weekends ago when I needed a couple feet of 5/16" aluminum rod and the only thing I could find on a Sunday was 3/8".  I mounted a scrap of 1/2" HDME onto the carriage with a bit of steel angle, drilled & reamed a 3/8" hole in the plastic with the drill & reamer mounted in the chuck and voila!  Cheap & cheerful follow rest.  I switched to a sharp HSS bit after the pic because the carbide bit caused too much deflection to make the .063" cut on a single pass.

(http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g227/DBAviation/FollowRest.jpg)

Title: Re: Small fixed steady
Post by: sbwhart on March 10, 2011, 10:03:58 AM

Nice bit of fixing there Mr Bird, that ones filed away.

Stew

Title: Re: Small fixed steady
Post by: arnoldb on March 10, 2011, 10:42:48 AM

Nice one Stew  :thumbup:
And good threads as well  :clap: - how were the nuts done ?

 :beer:, Arnold

Title: Re: Small fixed steady
Post by: saw on March 10, 2011, 11:16:15 AM

Nice work, I like it.  :thumbup:

Title: Re: Small fixed steady
Post by: sbwhart on March 10, 2011, 12:17:34 PM

Thanks Chaps

Arnold I made a tap like this

http://madmodder.net/index.php?topic=4384.0

Stew

Title: Re: Small fixed steady
Post by: John Hill on March 10, 2011, 01:24:41 PM

My old Drummond lathe has a steady that you put wooden blocks in to support the workpiece. Just clamp in a block or two and drill it out to fit the work.  Such a simple idea, fits any size and would not mark the work (I assume).