I do relatively simple work on pool cue tips and ferrules. Right now I have a steady rest that is not actually very steady. It is three rollers in which the bearings have significant play. Consequently, I am not able to work as precisely as I would like. I want to mount a 3 jaw chunk on bearings but it must allow the cue shaft to pass through from behind. The cue will collet is about 16 mm diameter. I would prefer just purchasing this assembly but will build it if I must. Any ideas would be helpful. Hopefully you can picture what I am trying to describe, If not, I will provide pictures.
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3 Jaw Chuck, work through steady rest
- Thread starter vin421
- Start date
Yes, I have ordered some higher end bearings and hopefully that will reduce the throw out. Problem no. 2 is centering the work all the time. I can do it but it requires patience and I do it by eye. I was thinking a 3 jaw chuck might make it easier and more accurate.
Thanks for the replies. I have discovered the item I am looking for at a billiard supply house. I guess that is the obvious place to have looked. It can be observed in action on YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mwMm0cdhdQo&feature=em-comments at 4:19 - 4:26. Problem now is...$150 plus about $100 shipping to Thailand. I think I can build one for a lot less considering I can get a decent Chinese made chuck for less than $50. So, starting with the standard 3 jaw chuck.....
If anyone has any advice on what I need to complete the project I'd be interested in hearing.
If anyone has any advice on what I need to complete the project I'd be interested in hearing.
Yes sir! No substitute for quality tools. I went ahead and forked out the dough.
Now I have to deal with the stress of checking the mail for a delivery notice every day for the next three weeks. I have some virtues. Patience ain't one of 'em.
- Joined
- Jun 12, 2014
- Messages
- 4,810
Not really unless you have a means to set the chuck so that it runs true. A few things to consider, and it partly depends on your lathe, size and how you use it. What is most commonly used is a spider which is a round tube that attaches to your spindle/chuck or you could use a bearing in your steady rest with a spider running on the bearing. A spider usually has 4 Allan screws to adjust/center the position. The tips of the screws are often brass tipped or can have fingers. You use a dial indicator or test indicator to set center very quickly, this is very commonly done with 4J independent chucks.
The other alternative is to get a mini chuck in the 100mm range either 3J scroll or 4Jindependent, turn a backing plate to fit a bearing that would be secured by your steady rest or fabricate a steady rest block. Not a difficult task, but at the end of the day this approach will probably be more expensive. The price of a chuck with shipping, a bearing and materials will be in the $150-200 range.
Thanks! Very informative. You're second suggestion is what I had planned to do. That is until I saw the item I was looking for being used on YouTube:
and it is available at Cue Man Billiards.
https://www.cuesmith.com/steady-rest-with-deluxe-chuck-mid-size.html
I guess a cue supply parts house was the obvious place to look. With shipping from the US to Thailand, it will be around $250 but, it will be much better than what I have which is little more than a skate board wheeled steady rest.
https://www.cuesmith.com/steady-rest-with-deluxe-chuck-mid-size.html
I guess a cue supply parts house was the obvious place to look. With shipping from the US to Thailand, it will be around $250 but, it will be much better than what I have which is little more than a skate board wheeled steady rest.