Replies

1. 
   BG | May 30, 2004 01:36pm | #1

   Flonji,

   I made a steady for the lathe...saw a design for it in some magazine...and just built it from memory..I would not do it again. 

   The problem I had is when it came to the wheels, I wanted to use rollar-blade wheels....those things are expensive.  I used recycled skate board wheels...they are kinda big and klunky. 

   The supports I've seen at Woodcraft are in the $65-85 dollar range...I think it's very hard to beat the price for that quality.

   The basic design consisted of three pieces of 3/4 ply sandwiched together with a 9" diameter hole whose center was equal to the distance between the lathe bed and the lathe chuck/morse taper.  Once the hole was cut, you shaped the surrounding ply to create a 2" or so apron. 

   The middle piece of ply was cut into three sections to accomodate three square pieces of maple that had the wheels on the end and 4" slot behind the wheels....the maple could slide in and out and held in place with bolt and wing nut that went through all three pieces of ply. 

   I'm sure this description is more confusing than helpful.  Seriously consider buying a steady....when I got finished I'm not sure I saved anything and it looked crappy and had nowhere near the same strength as the store boughts. 
1. 
   KeithNewton | May 30, 2004 04:22pm | #2

   What do you call a large number? Have you considered finding someone with an automatic lathe to sub the work to. They can turn a spindle faster than I wrote this response.

1. 
   flonji | May 31, 2004 11:39am | #5

   40 is the quantity.I quoted for the work and would rather do the work and get paid , than have to pay someone else. Also further jobs could eventuate from this source so have to complete.

2. 
   TomHigby | May 31, 2004 01:50am | #3

   I made mine with wheels from ini-line skates, Which can be bought at nearly every yard sale, as they are constantly being out-grown by kids. Cost was minimal, quality excellent, bearings veery good.  The resiliance of the wheels is desirable.

   Tom

1. 
   BG | May 31, 2004 02:36am | #4

   Tom,

   That was my plan...to use in-line skate wheels.  Of course, I built it in the middle of winter so there were no tag sales to go to.  Buying new in-line skate wheels were prohibitive... 

3. 
   flonji | May 31, 2004 12:00pm | #6

   Thanks for the info, I think I can follow what you did. That is a good start, and from what others have said 3 wheels on a triangulation basis is the way I will have to go. I looked at what Woodcraft have to offer but a problem there is that my lathe was manufactured over 30 years ago and the company is no longer in existence so do not know that what they have will fit. certainly not what was shown.

   The contraption I have now is okay when the timber is firm and straight grained but when there is cross grain and/or a mixture of heart and sap I have problems and have to resort to holding the chisel with one hand and helping the steady with the other.

   Purchasing a ready made is one way, but a challenge it is not. There is something very satisfying in making your own tools when you can.

2. 
   mike4244 | May 31, 2004 08:39pm | #7

   Before you buy or make a steady rest try holding the spindle with one hand as you turn. I do not claim to be a expert turner but most experts that I've seen do not bother with a steady rest. I found that supporting the spindle with my right hand ( I'm left handed) and holding a gouge with my left hand worked well for me. Do not pull towards you too hard, just enough to elimanate whip. Try it on a sample piece, might work for you.

   mike