Spindle Steady Rest

Great job Todd

-- http://artisticwoodstudio.com Custom furniture

I like the mag wheels on the tires!!!

-- Matt Garcia Wannabe Period Furniture Maker, Houston TX

Nice steady rest. Still on my to do list.

-- Mike, Missouri --- “A positive life can not happen with a negative mind.” ---

Nice steady rest. I like the idea of the tracks, that should work well. For the wheels did you consider looking at the inline skate wheels. The reason that I mention the skate wheels is because they have a sharper edge, and the ones in the picture look kind of flat. I have not made one yet, and I figured if I need one I would make one. I already have the wheels from an old set of skates.

-- Mel,

Very nice steady rest. You appreciate it more if you make it yourself—always!!!!!
Using that T slot material is a real good idea. I may convert to that for my small diameters!

-- Jim Jakosh.....Practical Wood Products...........Learn something new every day!! Variety is the Spice of Life!!

Mel, it is Interesting that you mention the “flat” wheels. They actually were originally pointed but I turned them flat on the lathe for two reasons. The first is that I thought they were too big. I took approximately 1/2 inch off each wheel. This allows them to fit smaller spindles. The second is that I thought a flat wider surface would give better support.

-- Todd

Nice job Todd, always a good feeling to “make your own” way around a project & as you say that extra bit of satisfaction. The other advantage of the flat wheels (as long as you don’t have sharpe edges) is you lessen the chance of ‘bearing” marks on your work, Looks like it will get the business done no problems. : ))
well done.
(as Matt says “nice mags’)

-- Pete G: If you always do what you always did you'll always get what you always got

nothing like homemade tools to work with :-)

thank´s for sharing
Dennis

Great idea with the t track

-- E J ------- Always Keep a Firm Grip on Your Tool

Todd, it’s a beautiful tool. Great job.

-- If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer. Let him step to the music which he hears, however measured or far away. Henry David Thoreau

Pete, I sanded down the wheels to a 600 grit so they are as smooth as a baby’s bottom. I tested one piece and the jig held it tight with no wheel marking.

-- Todd

I made one like this 3 years ago and now with your addition I can make revision 3.1 to mine. I also use skate wheels, and yes they can leave a black smudge on the wood. The fix for that is use claear ply wheels instead of the black ones. You can also get used skates at Goodwill for about $2 a pair. The T bar is a stroke of genius. I cut mine out of ironwood but after a while they crack. I thought about using an automotive alternator bracket but your use of a T bar is SO much better. Your bearings on the wheels will give out before the tires do. I also like your squeeze type hold down. Much easier then what I have now (but not for long, version 3.1 is on the way).
Thanks for sharing

Jim

-- Jim Roberts, Port Orchard Washington

I have been looking for a good design for a shop made steady rest – thanks! This looks like it.

All the best

Don

-- DonH Orleans Ontario

Wow, another lesson learned, thanks for the info on what shape to make the wheels Todd, and the reason for a less pointed wheel Pete. I have all the pieces in place now, and when I need a steady rest it will not be as much trial and error making one that works the first time.
Thanks

-- Mel,