Steady rest build

T

TJScharp

Aluminum

Joined

Aug 6, 2011

Location

Alberta, Canada

• Apr 9, 2014

• #1

I own a Storebro Bruks Ab 14 x 60" lathe. When given to me (gratis) it did not include a steady rest. What advice would you give me? Should I modify a used steady rest to fit my lathe, or would it be easier to fab one up from scratch? I would like to spend as little as possible for now as it is going to be a hobby lathe in my garage.

 

Ray Behner

Diamond

Joined

Mar 27, 2009

Location

Brunswick Oh USA

• Apr 9, 2014

• #2

It's generally quite easy to modify one and doesn't need to be perfectly centered in this situation. Just make sure she's square with the machine.

 

michiganbuck

Diamond

Joined

Jun 28, 2012

Location

Mt Clemens, Michigan 48035

• Apr 9, 2014

• #3

I think a base adapter could be easily made that would keep the used steady original and fit to your bed.

 

J

James H Clark

Stainless

Joined

May 11, 2011

Location

southern in.

• Apr 9, 2014

• #4

TJ: I would agree that modifying an existing steady rest would be easier if you can obtain one at a reasonable cost. That being said, if you decide to fab one, I might have a few tips, having made two, one for a 13" Clausing and one for a 15" South Bend Nordic. Good luck.

JH

 

S

snowman

Diamond

Joined

Jul 31, 2004

Location

Southeast Michigan

• Apr 9, 2014

• #5

I thought these were neato.

 

Lofty

Cast Iron

Joined

Jan 31, 2011

Location

South Australia

• Apr 9, 2014

• #6

Look for a used one that's a little shorter than your lathe's center height.
Much easier to make an adapter plate than cut down one that's too high.

 

Spyderedge

Titanium

Joined

Aug 28, 2013

Location

NY

• Apr 9, 2014

• #7

If you find yourself in need of a steady, OXtoolco (Tom) has a full series on youtube of how he made a steady for his large YAM.

 

starbolin

Stainless

Joined

Mar 8, 2007

Location

Far Northern California, USA

• Apr 9, 2014

• #8

I think a steady is about the easiest thing to fab or adapt for your lathe. I've done both. I which you chose depends on your skill set and whether a donor steady can be had. A steady does not have to be exactly on center. The adjustable fingers take care of that. Nor do the fingers have to be fancy. My backup steady for my 12x36 just has 1/2" threaded rod for the fingers.

 

L

Long Tom

Stainless

Joined

Aug 21, 2011

Location

Fiddlefart, Oregon

• Apr 9, 2014

• #9

My 17x40 Whacheon came with the factory steady, and also a larger one that the previous owner had made for a large-diameter long job. They went to some extra care; it's quite nice.

 

Jim_Lou

Cast Iron

Joined

Jan 27, 2012

Location

Belleville, Illinois

• Apr 10, 2014

• #10

Here's the factory steady rest and the big one the P.O. made for my Mori. It's nice and solid, but it takes two to lift it onto the ways.

 

tnmgcarbide

Diamond

Joined

Jul 6, 2004

Location

N. GA- 33.992N , -83.72W usa

• Apr 10, 2014

• #11

here's a youtube of keith fenner building a steady.....

The Million Dollar Rest Part 1: Lathe Steady Rest Repair and Roller Addition - YouTube

watch those long sleeves , keith.... and take off that damned watch! we don't want to see anyone get hurt.

 

T

TJScharp

Aluminum

Joined

Aug 6, 2011

Location

Alberta, Canada

• Apr 10, 2014

• #12

Thanks for all the links, pictures and offers to help. I'm sure they'll save me a lot of time and money.

 

C

cg285

Stainless

Joined

Jan 31, 2007

Location

sumterville, fl

• Apr 10, 2014

• #13

if you are interested i have one of these that i started but didn't finish as in the process i found a factory one, cheap, for my 14"
Steady Rest (MLA-9)

 

M

Marty Feldman

Titanium

Joined

Feb 21, 2005

Location

Falmouth, Maine

• Apr 11, 2014

• #14

The MLA casting as suggested in the above post is, or was, an inexpensive way to go to wind up with a good, robust steady. The CI from his original foundry was excellent, and the design is easily modified in a number of ways to suit your needs & interests. It's a straighforward machining job.