I have had my little lathe for 38 years and during that time I have often toyed with the idea of buying a Hercus travelling rest. However apart from the ever increasing cost, there has always been a lack of availability.
It also occurred to me that the set over in the manufacturer's steady, suited a lantern style tool post and may not make machining on either side of the steady pads an easy task and anyway, I use a 4 way tool post, which would make things worse (I think) It should be noted that I have never had in my hands or seen in the flesh a "real Hercus steady".
About a month ago I suffered a sudden bout of enthusiasm and decided to have a go at making a workable option. So I knocked up a wooden model to establish size, heights, fixings etc and to work out if it was going to be worthwhile.
I thought it would be better for me if I made it of steel and then I could weld it. I wanted to use 1/2 inch and 3/4 inch plate. I did not want much material
so I got a 200 x 200 x12mm baseplate from Edson and a piece of 3/4 plate c/w some 7/16th brass hex bar courtesy of Mick Moyles in Sydney.
Using the wood model as a template I made up the base frame using a bandsaw, MIG and a drill press
I mounted the bracket up and marked centres on both sides of the 3/4" vertical plate, Using the centres I marked up horizontal and vertical axis for the support pads, which were then drilled and tapped to 3/8" unf. I machined up 2 x support pads from the hexagonal brass bar to suit
The hardest part of the whole thing was removing the waste from the 3/4 upright plate. I have not got a mill so it was short love affair with a 125mm grinder, a drill, a hammer and chisel. Its character building work
So now the thing is finished bar a little bit of welding. Its certainly not a style icon.
The tool can work either side of the support pads by adjusting the compound rest. It is quite solid. It will take work up to 42mm diameter
I finally have a travelling rest
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