I have a Logan 820 lathe and I want to build a travelling steady. (I know, I can buy one from Scott for $165.00 but that is not the point.) I have a copy of a design that appeared in HSM in the '90's by Paul Holm. His was for a SB model 9C. I intend to follow that general design but have two questions. First, the design shows the adjustable supports mounted at 90 degrees. That is, one vertical above, and one horizontal opposite the cutter bit. Should these supports not be mounted 60 degrees above and below the horizontal, so that they and the cutter act as a balanced three spoke wheel? As it is , it appears to me that the system is three spokes of a four spoke wheel and therefore the forces are inherently unbalanced. Second, would the supports not be improved by the use of small ball bearings? As I understand the use of a travelling steady, it is for fairly light cuts on slender shafts, and thus the forces it has to withstand cannot be very great. the design calls for 1/2 inch steel, but I have aluminum and it is much easier to work. Am i worrying about not much?
Duffy
Duffy
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