- Joined
- Oct 21, 2014
- Messages
- 2,156
Question/Opinion building a steady rest. Ok, have an older 10x24 Asian lathe. Need a steady rest for it, and have not been able to find one. Thus thinking of trying to build one. Here is one of the things I am questioning, and need opinions/advice on. Since the steady rest does not have to hold a lot of weigh, can the base of it be made out of something like heavy channel, instead of a solid piece of steel or cast?
I was thinking of taking a piece of heavy channel, that I could machine the V in for the one way and ensure flat on the other, and flat on top, Drill a hole for the bolt, and use a piece of spring steel from a car spring or something as the hold down. Then weld another piece of channel on top with a ring of either steel, or large diameter pipe set up as the cage area to go around and steady things.
Suggestions, opinions etc.
I was thinking of taking a piece of heavy channel, that I could machine the V in for the one way and ensure flat on the other, and flat on top, Drill a hole for the bolt, and use a piece of spring steel from a car spring or something as the hold down. Then weld another piece of channel on top with a ring of either steel, or large diameter pipe set up as the cage area to go around and steady things.
Suggestions, opinions etc.