I searched the archives and didn't turn up much. Up until now I've used my left hand with a leather glove on it if I need to back up the rim of larger (e.g., 12"+), dry, thin-walled bowls. This isn't something I need every day, but it just seems like for some bowls sharp tools, light cuts, light pressure, etc. just aren't enough to keep the bowl from "singing" (flexing) when the walls are thin. I turn a lot of sugar maple and it seems particularly bad about this, as do deeper bowls (I assume because the rim is less restrained by the wall). I haven't had a bad catch in a long time (shouldn't say that out loud) but lately I've been thinking more about the potential consequences if I were to have something of large diameter blow up while backing up the cut with my fingers. I've been looking at the Oneway Bowl Steady, it seems like a good option for a reasonable price (about $120). Have never turned with a steady rest, so don't really know if my expectations of damping vibration are reasonable. Wondering if others have insights. I turn on a PM 3520B if that matters.
I know you can make them, but for me the messing around and trial and error just isn't worth the $120 the Oneway would cost (assuming the Oneway is designed well).
TIA for any advice.
Best,
Dave