Thank you Jeff Nicol!

[Matt Owen]

I decided to try building a Jeff Nicol style steady rest myself, and with some helpful information from Jeff I think mine turned out pretty good. I chose 3 wheels over 4 just so I could use it on smaller diameter work pieces. I know my welds don't look as pretty as his do, but they are strong. This thing is a whole lot quieter than the one I had made out of wood, and it's rock solid.

Sorry for the grainy pic. I didn't notice that it was grainy until I put it on my computer, and I'm too lazy to retake it.

Thanks for the idea and the help, Jeff!

Matt

[bob svoboda]

Looks good to me. Nice Job.

[Joe Meirhaeghe]

Looks Good Matt
What did you use for the Steel Ring & where did you get the Ring?
I know of a couple of Club members that I'm sure would build one if they had the Steel Ring.

[Mark Norman]

Looks to be aluminum, that ups the skill level when welding for sure. Form follows function and looks like yours will perform just fine. Good Job! I am also curious where you found the ring.

And Yes, Jeff is a great guy.

[alex carey]

looking good, turned out pretty dang nice.

[Steve Schlumpf]

Matt - that sure looks nice!

I built a steady out of wood and made it with 4 wheels because if you use a hollowing system that has a laser - the top center wheel would be in the way. With the 4 wheel - a lot of time I end up moving the upper 10 o'clock position wheel totally out of the way so I can track where the laser is hitting the turning.

[Matt Owen]

I bought the ring from McMaster Carr. It's a 16" diameter pipe flange (called an angle ring), item number 1764K62.

http://www.mcmaster.com/#angle-rings/=6fhzkf

It's made out of steel, and then spray painted with a metalic silver paint to somewhat match my lathe.

Thanks for the kind comments.

Matt

[Mark Norman]

Matt - that sure looks nice!

I built a steady out of wood and made it with 4 wheels because if you use a hollowing system that has a laser - the top center wheel would be in the way. With the 4 wheel - a lot of time I end up moving the upper 10 o'clock position wheel totally out of the way so I can track where the laser is hitting the turning.


I see no reason you could not fabricate it with provisions to use 3 or 4 wheels whether it be made form wood or metal. Would be more versatile.



It's made out of steel, and then spray painted with a metalic silver paint to somewhat match my lathe.

LOL, sure looked lake aluminum. $20 is not bad for the ring.

[Bernie Weishapl]

Looks great and looks like it will work.

[Baxter Smith]

Looks like it should work well!

[Ray Bell]

Looks good Matt, if it works as well as Jeff's steady you will love it.

[Jeff Nicol]

Matt, It looks like it will do the trick. I just picked up 7 more rings today so keep up with the ones I have to make right now. The welding thing is all about timing and getting the heat correct for the material you are working with. It looks like you were a little cold and maybe a bit to fast. But sometimes the worst welds last the longest! I have some on my old tractor that I bet are 40 years old and look like chicken poop, but they are still there and holding what they were ment to hold! G

Glad you got it done and you should be happy with making it yourself, it always gives a guy satisfaction knowing they did it themselves.

Have fun,

Jeff

[John Keeton]

Matt, congrats on the steady, but this thread has just reminded me again of why I had Jeff make mine!!:D;) I could take that pile of metal and it would be unrecognizable when I got through with it.

You did a good job on this one!!

[David E Keller]

Nice job, but I'm with Mr. Keeton on this one. I'll go to Jeff when the time comes.