Finally finished my steady

[dai sensei]

Finally found the time to make my lathe center steady today. Basic design based on those made by other forum members, but I wanted to be able to split it so I didn’t have to remove the lathe end stock to fit it. Worked in theory, but I’m not sure I’ll be able to get it under the piece being turned, made it a bit big :- .

It’s made with 3 layers, the inner one plywood, both outer layers MDF (all left over scraps). Wheels are from a pair of skates I got for $3 at an auction and it supports pieces from 180mm down to 12mm diameter.

Now I can finish the pepper grinders and that vase I was planning.

Cheers

[Skew ChiDAMN!!]

Good idea, splitting it, that's one thing that annoys me about mine.

I wonder if for my next one it'd be better to do the same sort of thing, only split vertically, or add a hinge & lock to the bottom so the bottom half could be laid flat? Now the ol' grey matters churning... no simply dropping off to sleep for this li'l black duck tonight.

[Gil Jones]

Good looking steady rest, Neil!!
I like the split circle idea.

[DJ’s Timber]

Nice design Neil

[hughie]

Neil,

Excellent idea, so much so I'm gonna dont it to mine. Obvious now that you shown it :U

[dai sensei]

Thanks for the comments.

I used it for the first time today on my vase. Lucky it was split, although I couldn't get it under with the end stock in place, I did without taking the vase out of the headstock. The vase flange is 350mm dia and wouldn't fit through the steady in one piece.

[rodent]

Sounds like its time to start making mk2 and im sure we would all like too see picks of that too.ps looks great ill have to finish mine now.

[TTIT]

Clever thinking Neil :U If I ever get around to making one I'll definitely keep your split system in mind. Problem is that I usually don't get around to these things until I actually need them - by which time I'm in a hurry and just bodgie something temporary up instead!:B ah well!:U