I've given up trying to get a steady rest for my 9" South Bend. I considered purchasing a new steady from Grizzly and adapting/fitting as needed, but that option is an expensive gamble I'm not willing to take part in. Used steady rests for the 9" on everyone's favourite auction site rapidly increase to prices I'm not willing to pay. So, I've decided to make one. I've made a paper template, mainly to get the fit of the lathe ways and drew the rest of it so it looked "right". A wooden pattern of 1/4" ply followed so the fit to the ways could be fine tuned. I have a general idea of how the thing is going to open, close and lock.
I know there are people out there who have made their own steady rests. What I am requesting is your advice. What worked for you, what didn't work, what would you change if it had to be done again etc. What parts need to be accurate? Photos would be great if you have them.
I'm doing more and more work on long round stock that won't pass through the lathe's spindle. With no steady rest my only option has been to file the ends as square as I can, find center with a center finder (lots of special end caps have been made) and then hand drill centers. It works but I'm wasting a lot of material. Help a guy out. I'm getting tired of work-around solutions.
I know there are people out there who have made their own steady rests. What I am requesting is your advice. What worked for you, what didn't work, what would you change if it had to be done again etc. What parts need to be accurate? Photos would be great if you have them.
I'm doing more and more work on long round stock that won't pass through the lathe's spindle. With no steady rest my only option has been to file the ends as square as I can, find center with a center finder (lots of special end caps have been made) and then hand drill centers. It works but I'm wasting a lot of material. Help a guy out. I'm getting tired of work-around solutions.
Comment