Nicol Steady Rest Review

[Matt Haus]

I wanted to write a little review of the Nicol Steady Rest and tell you guys how impressed I am with the quality and workmanship that went into it. Beyond that, I was really impressed about how personable Jeff Nicol is. He took the time to speak with me on the phone and I got exactly what I had wanted for my lathe. He also customized my steady rest and I thought I would share with you some pictures.

If you are in the market for a lathe steady rest, please consider this product. It is very sturdy, easily adjustable and you will see in the last picture, it has an accessory of an additional wheel. Why would I need 5, you ask? Well, I don't need 5 wheels. The additional wheel is adjustable and allows me to remove the upper left wheel when finishing the last bit of my coring where the laser gets in the way. It's just perfect and I can use combinations of 4 wheels or one on the top and two on the bottom. I took a picture of all 5 fitted.

Lastly, what is attractive is the price. I spent far less than what I would have had I gone with a few of the others on the net. Enjoy the pictures and thanks Jeff!
woodennicol.com/tools.html#sr

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[Steve Schlumpf]

Looks like quite the steady rest! I really like the idea of the portable arm as I usually take off the arm at the 10 O'clock position so I can view the laser on the form. Other thing I really like is stability offered by the welded arm supports!

Nice looking hollow form! Looking forward to seeing the finished version!

[Bernie Weishapl]

That is a great looking steady.

[Jeff Nicol]

Matt, I appreciate your support! I enjoy building them and hope that everyone who has one is as happy as you are! I am on the way to the shop right now to start another one.

Thanks again and enjoy!

Jeff

[Phil Labowski]

okay one small critique if I may. I think the wheels should match the lathe color as well, that would look really cool. :) I have watched the video of Jeff making one of these and can tell he does good work (worked in steel fab before). I also cannot wait to see the finished HF!

[Hilel Salomon]

Neat!! I'm waiting on mine (due any day). What is your hollowing system? It's pretty impressive as well.
Regards, Hilel

[Dave Schell]

I'm going to be in the market for one of those soon. How much does one of those go for? And does it come in Vicmarc blue? ;-)

[Montgomery Scott]

Matt,

Thanks for the review. I've wanted one for my lathe but only found the $400 one on the web which seemed expensive for a seemingly simple construction process. This appears to fit the bill for me.

[Jeff Nicol]

I'm going to be in the market for one of those soon. How much does one of those go for? And does it come in Vicmarc blue? ;-)
Dave, I can paint it purple with pink polka dots if you want! I sent one to an gentleman in Canada and I found a color that was pretty close to Vicmarc blue. It had the hand hammered metal flake look and turned out very nice. I always try to please the customer!

Jeff

[Matt Haus]

I'm going to be in the market for one of those soon. How much does one of those go for? And does it come in Vicmarc blue? ;-)

I paid 225.00 shipped for the 24 inch model. They come in different sizes. I also paid 20 bucks for the extra arm and got that a few days ago.

Here is my finished form. Sorry about not having better pictures.

The question was asked what hollowing system - It's Randy Privitt's Monster hollowing system. I love it!

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[Dave Schell]

Dave, I can paint it purple with pink polka dots if you want! I sent one to an gentleman in Canada and I found a color that was pretty close to Vicmarc blue. It had the hand hammered metal flake look and turned out very nice. I always try to please the customer!

Jeff

Purple with polka dots? I might like my whole lathe in that combination! :-)

Jeff, just watched your construction video of these on youtube. Just curious what you are using for the ring? Are you manufacturing it or is a piece for some other purpose? I noticed the holes in it that seem to have no functional purpose as part of the steady rest.

[Mike Svoma]

Wow, that is a real nice HF Matt. I like the form, colors, and finish. Nice addition in the top as well.

I will second your comments regarding the Nicol Steadyrest. I have the one that Jeff made on his video and it works great. Now if I could only get some more free time to work in the shop, I could enjo using it some more.

Mike

[Hilel Salomon]

Just got one today for my pm3520B and I'm very pleased with how well it's made. I'll be ordering one for the DVR when I head back to Virginia. Jeff is great to work with and I recommend him highly.
Regards, Hilel.

[Harlan Coverdale]

Congrats. That's a great looking steady rest.

[Jonathan Harvey]

I've got one in Vicmarc Blue. It's not an exact match but way closer then Yellow :-)

I am very happy with my steady even though I've only got to use it once.

Thanks again Jeff.

[John Fricke]

[QUOTE=Dave Schell;1178844 Just curious what you are using for the ring? Are you manufacturing it or is a piece for some other purpose? I noticed the holes in it that seem to have no functional purpose as part of the steady rest.[/QUOTE]

Looks to me a lot like the rings we use for flanges on grain spouting. Never had a use for 24" ones though.

[Jeff Nicol]

Purple with polka dots? I might like my whole lathe in that combination! :-)

Jeff, just watched your construction video of these on youtube. Just curious what you are using for the ring? Are you manufacturing it or is a piece for some other purpose? I noticed the holes in it that seem to have no functional purpose as part of the steady rest.
Dave, The rings I get from a local sheetmetal shop that I used to work for. It does mostly round pipe for dust collection and exhaust or material handling. The rings are welded or peaned on the ends of the pipe and fittings to make putting all the stuff together. I will get a picture of one that is 72" dia, that would make a heck of a steady rest! So the holes are for the bolts that hold the joints together.

Jeff

[Christopher Fletcher]

Matt,
Silly question, but were you using a vacuum chuck in that picture?

[Jeff Nicol]

I've got one in Vicmarc Blue. It's not an exact match but way closer then Yellow :-)

I am very happy with my steady even though I've only got to use it once.

Thanks again Jeff.
Jonathan, No problem, I am glad it got to you and had no trouble with the border crossing! I will look deeper into the paint color for future VICMARC steadies, might have to get a custom paint matcher!

Have a great day,

Jeff