This shopmade steady rest can be set up to support the middle of a long, thin spindle, or it can be used as a tailstock for center-boring. Derived from a metalworkers’ steady, the rest consists of a rigid plywood upright, three adjustable hardwood bearing blocks, and a base that locks in place on the lathe bed. The bearing blocks adjust by means of 3/16-in. eyebolts threaded through tapped right-angle braces screwed to the upright. Each bearing block slides between two guide blocks and locks in place with a wing nut. Apply beeswax to the bearing blocks for ease of adjustment and to reduce friction on the workpiece. Of course, the base arrangement depends on your particular lathe.

Robert L. Koch, Tarkio, Mo.

Fine Woodworking Magazine, February 1984 No. 44

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