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Hollow Form Steady Rest

J

Jeremy Williams

Joined
Sep 30, 2008
Messages
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Location
Charlotte, NC
Things are much better now with hollow form turning … now that I have a 360 degree spindle steady! Okay, those are just the braggin’ rights~! 😀

If you’ve turned on a lathe, then you’ll understand the need for a steady rest (something that keeps the workpiece from vibrating, and thus the tool chattering during the cut). I’ve been wanting one but good quality metal ones are $500+. So … I had to make another plan…

My neighbor is a metalworker and his job at Phillip Morris comes to an end next year sometime. He’s looking for things he can fabricate and sell … and as we shot around ideas a couple of my wish list items … a spindle steady and bowl steady … came up. I showed him some pictures and told him what I liked and didn’t like about each design … he took that to the metal shop and returned with something great!

So, here’s a sneak peek at the prototype. It’s powder coated to a beautiful finish, uses ABEC 5 rollerblade wheels, and solid as a rock. The spine is one piece (no welds) and the arms has a flat machined in them to make it self aligning. This one is for a 20†swing lathe, but just about any swing is possible. I’ve run it thru some test runs with extraordinary results …

steadyrest[2].jpg

And yes, he’ll be offering these to others for sale … so if you are interested, drop me a email woodwrangler@gmail.com and I’ll give you the info. This one is just the prototype, and we’ve discussed some minor improvements for future ones … exciting times!

-- Jeremy, Charlotte, North Carolina, www.WoodWrangler.com
 
The thread has been quiet, but several people contact me via PM. Instead of replying a bunch of times, figured I'd just post back to the thread with an update.

The original worked great and no functional issues -- but we still decided to try a couple of different things on a second. A few changes to the design have been made and my neighbor is working on a few more. Hopefully I'll have something from him soon that I can put to use and share with you.

Thanks for the suggestions, feedback and interest.🙂
 
I would suggest trading out the allen screws that adjust for these, as you have to make frequent adjustments when sliding the length of the HF. A ratcheting version would be necessary.
 

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Steve ... we are on the same wavelength with that one. I've bought some for him to use, and another style (as the only ratchet ones I could fine readily available are a bit large for the need). We'll see how it turns out and I'll be sure to share. Thanks for that feedback ...
 
Jeremy Williams said:
Steve ... we are on the same wavelength with that one. I've bought some for him to use, and another style (as the only ratchet ones I could fine readily available are a bit large for the need). We'll see how it turns out and I'll be sure to share. Thanks for that feedback ...
Click to expand...

These guys have every design of them you would ever like
http://www.reidsupply.com/Default.aspx?ckchk=1
 
Amen to Reid Supply; I've been dealing with them since their "catalog" was a pamphlet.

But please clarify the need for a ratcheting version. I couldn't see the "Allen screws" in question. The square-head screws securing the arms should need only about a half turn for engagement and release. Most of the pull-to-disengage adjustable handles can accomplish that. A ratcheting version will need bi-directional capability, and more real estate.

Joe
 
Thx for the link to Reid ... I'll check them out.

Originally the design was with an allen ... so those are there, but later he added a square top bolt (so actually the first prototype is either/or).

However, the next he is going to try to incorporate either ratchet, or small knob, style (I've provided him with some to try)
 
Thanks, Steve. I feared I might need new glasses. And I agree about the ratchets; with the normal ones, the handles are sometimes in the way.

Joe
 
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