Shop-made spindle steady pics??

[Jamie Straw]

I searched around SMC for pics and info on shop-made spindle steadies, found two, pretty big ones. Are there others? If anyone has pics or tips, I'd love to see them. This is something I'll need soon. Thanks!

[John Keeton]

Jamie, I looked at all the various threads, pondered the time it would take me to scrounge together the parts, and decided that having Jeff Nicol make me one was cheaper in the long run considering my time. Jeff's are far more solid than anything I would build.

However, if you have the time to spare, and would enjoy making your own, there are a bunch of pics on SMC of those made by creekers. Me...I would rather be turning wood or doing something else.

[Mike Minto]

Here's a thread to mine - again, not too pretty, but it works just fine. Inexpensive, easy to make.

http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?t=125146

[Allen Neighbors]

Jamie, I sent you an email. I have a short tutorial about how I made mine.
Allen

[Thom Sturgill]

Here's a design for a string spindle steady (http://www.neowta.com/Articles/stringsteady.htm). and a wheel based rig (http://www.easttexaswoodturners.org/Steadyrest-Mini.htm)

[Rick Hutcheson]

I have a page for a wood steady rest. http://www.scrollsaws.com/WoodLathe/SteadRest.htm

Or a string steady rest.http://www.scrollsaws.com/WoodLathe/woodlatheString.htm

[Jamie Straw]

Here's a thread to mine - again, not too pretty, but it works just fine. Inexpensive, easy to make.

http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?t=125146

Thanks, Mike, I got confused and posted my reply in the wrong thread, saying....."Thanks, Mike, I think I have the materials I'd need for that one, except for the wheels and perhaps the part that holds it to the lathe, which I assume should be a stout piece of metal? Thanks for taking the time to post the pics."

http://www.sawmillcreek.org/images/misc/progress.gif

[Jamie Straw]

Here's a design for a string spindle steady (http://www.neowta.com/Articles/stringsteady.htm). and a wheel based rig (http://www.easttexaswoodturners.org/Steadyrest-Mini.htm)

Thanks, Thom. Since I didn't know what a string steady is, I did a Google search and found this page (http://www.hiltonhandcraft.com/Articles/String_Steady.asp) by Andrew Hilton [if there's another newbie going "Huh?";)] He has a double-string steady at the bottom of the page.

The other plan will help in sizing things for my lathe. Thanks!

[Jamie Straw]

I have a page for a wood steady rest. http://www.scrollsaws.com/WoodLathe/SteadRest.htm

Or a string steady rest.http://www.scrollsaws.com/WoodLathe/woodlatheString.htm

Fabulous, thanks Rick! I appreciate the pics and descriptions/tips.

[Jamie Straw]

[QUOTE=John Keeton;1302445]Jamie, I looked at all the various threads, pondered the time it would take me to scrounge together the parts, and decided that having Jeff Nicol make me one was cheaper in the long run considering my time. Jeff's are far more solid than anything I would build.
[snip]QUOTE]

Hi, John. I did a search for pics of Jeff's product, and only found a big one for bowls and HF's (I guess). Right now, what I need is a spindle-steady for long skinny stuff (e.g., making a Magic Wand for my grandson). Does he make these? I've gotten some good info on making my own. In consideration of my wallet, I may have to take that route.

[John Keeton]

Jamie, Jeff will make whatever you want. I should let him comment, but to my understanding, Jeff makes the steadys so that they can be used for spindle work, and for bowls up to the capacity of the ring - which would be made to the capacity of your lathe or smaller if you desire.
http://www.woodennicol.com/images761/tools/SteadyRest320small.jpg

[Jeff Nicol]

Jamie, As John said and posted the picture mine will go down to about 1" with all 4 wheels in place and to about 1/2" with one of the wheels removed. If all you are going to do is turn some smaller spindles then there are others that may work better for you. When I turn spindles like a wand I don't use a steady at all, I start at the tail stock and work my way to the headstock so I keep turning into the most mass of the blank and toward the power. But that is me, so look at some of the steady rests that are used for metal lathes with bearings that have an opening on the side so you can place it on the lathe when you need it, and if you make one the base can be a piece of hardwood and the clamp block too. There won't be any real torque on the base so it does not have to be real industrial for small items.

Good luck and have fun,

Jeff

[Jamie Straw]

Thanks, Jeff. I think it would be good for me to make one for this tiny stuff. And order one from you when I get to making those beautiful hollow forms!:)

I found this one at Penn State Ind., is the design a good one to emulate for a DIY unit? Any weaknesses?
http://www.pennstateind.com/graphics/275px/LSR3.jpg

[Allen Neighbors]

Jamie, I think that one from PSI would be perfect for your wands.
Al