Shopsmith Forums

Stuck in the house instead of enjoying my shop today, so I thought I'd make myself useful. Based on this steady rest off an old metal lathe. Note i added reversible arms for small spindles.



I highly recommend the youtuber from the link above (http://www.youtube.com/user/KEF791) - has taught me a lot.

enyoc wrote:Stuck in the house instead of enjoying my shop today, so I thought I'd make myself useful. Based somewhat on a steady rest off an old metal lathe. Note the reversible arms for small spindles.

That is impressive!

Interesting and nice design but can I ask - how is it secured to the way-tube?

See that little dot in the bottom end of the circular piece, in the lower right picture? I'm going to assume it is the end of a bolt or thumbscrew, coming up through the bottom, slightly darker piece, and screws into the base of the circular piece.

Those white tubes, or white circles, in the face-on pictures, are the way tubes.

And yes. Since this is a homebuilt piece, the plans can be adapted to ANY Shopsmith, like the ER, as well as the Mark series.

Oh, the 3 holders for the wheels don't have bolts shown either, but we know they go there.

JC, that looks like a good, but simple device. (Simple AND good, 2 great ideas!)

steve

JC do you have measurements for making this steady rest? I like the looks of it a lot and just might want to make one. Thanks for posting this.

Thanks Steve - I'm going to assume then that the bolt should go down - and exit below the saddle - with a knurled knob or some type of tightening knob so that you will have plenty of clear space between your turning and the bottom of the steadyrest. Great job.

I'd put the bolt coming up, and screwing into the steadyrest. But, that is just me.

steve

skou wrote:I'd put the bolt coming up, and screwing into the steadyrest. But, that is just me.

steve

I agree. This is how shopsmith designed the speed reducer mounting. It clamps to the ways in the exact same way as this design.

hey guys, right on about how to attach. I was thinking carriage bolt facing down to maximize clearance. I will post the sketchup when I'm on that PC next.

joshh wrote:I agree. This is how shopsmith designed the speed reducer mounting. It clamps to the ways in the exact same way as this design.

So does the lathe duplicator. Except the bottom of the upper half of those clamps is smooth. Only the lower half has notches in it for the way tubes. That way, it is easy to mount the lathe duplicator on the ER, just by making new lower pieces.

(Steve, it's ALWAYS about the ER with you, isn't it?):D

steve