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+--- Thread: Making a steady rest (/thread-480.html)
Making a steady rest - Mayhem - 06-11-2012
My lathe was made around the turn of the 20th Century and never came with a steady rest. So I thought I would make one. Given that my lathe has an 18" swing over the bed, I decided to make a steady rest of suitable stature!
Rather than attempt to turn up the body, I decided to get it cut from 1/2" plate. My design calls for 3 plates. This allows the middle plate to be cut differently to the outer two, forming both the hinge point and also the bolt hole for the clamp bar. Additionally, this approach allows the base to be incorporated in the design.
The outer plates have a series of holes, whilst the middle plate does not. These holes will allow the outer plates to be welded to the inner plate. By using an odd number of plates, warping will be minimised.
Here is one of the outer plates and the inner plate:
[attachment=1843]
At this stage I am thinking of changing my initial design of having the basic style fingers with roller bearings and going with telescopic ones. If I stick with the original idea, I will simply mill a slot for them to run in. If I go telescopic I will add some bolsters and then drill holes for them.
RE: Making a steady rest - Highpower - 06-11-2012
This is going to be good....
RE: Making a steady rest - krv3000 - 06-11-2012
ooo as wating
RE: Making a steady rest - stevec - 06-11-2012
How were the plates cut, cnc plasma?
RE: Making a steady rest - DaveH - 06-11-2012
Mayhem,
Great!
DaveH
RE: Making a steady rest - RobWilson - 06-11-2012
Interesting ,,,,, i will be taking note as i my CUB lathe has no steady s
Rob
RE: Making a steady rest - ETC57 - 06-11-2012
I'm all eyes looking forward to a great fab project!!
Mayhem, keep those post and pics coming!
Jerry.
RE: Making a steady rest - EdK - 06-11-2012
Ed
RE: Making a steady rest - Mayhem - 06-12-2012
Thanks guys.
Steve - the plates were laser cut. A family friend works for a place and got them done cheap. Same place cut the top for my welding table (that they are sitting on in the pics). The table top was free though :)
RE: Making a steady rest - stevec - 06-12-2012
Some family friends are good to have, some maybe not.
Looking good! I'll be following this project with interest.