How to make a Steady Rest for the Wood Lathe
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 2 ม.ค. 2016
- I build a steady rest that was inspired by a video from Stephen Ogle. I have a link below for the in depth step by step build that Stephen did.
Stephen's Video - • #03 How to make a Shop... - แนวปฏิบัติและการใช้ชีวิต
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I used this as the basis for my own I made last weekend. So, thank you for the lesson. It really helped.
Thank you. I had been meaning to make one for ages, and after watching you i decided to stop procrastinating and get it done. Followed you for the most part, and came up with some of my own modifications
Glad I could help and thanks for watching.
Mike, thank you for your clear, concise and logical steps to proceed. Very much appreciated.
You're very welcome Pat I'm glad you found the video useful, and thanks for watching.
Reproduced your excellent steady rest design. Thanks to you and Stephen Ogle. Have used it on four occasions this week. keep up the excellent tutorials.
David Stone
Hi David, very pleased to hear that you liked the design and find it works well for you also.
Cheers
Mike
Great project Mike and also a good example of general woodworking.
Many thanks,
Alan.
+Alan Simpson
Thank you Alan, I must say it is a great addition. Wish I had originated the design, but alas I didn't ;)
Take care my friend
Mike
Good build on the steady rest and well planned out. Stephen has inspired me on several things and so have you.
Looking forward to more,
Cheers, Lee
+Lee Waterman
Thank you Lee
Cheers
Mike
Great steady rest Mike. I really enjoy the detail you put into explaining a build. Thanks
Take care my friend and do a kindness
Mark
+MARK Baid
Thanks Mark, for both your kind words and support.
Cheers
Mike
Just great! Thank you for all the steps. What once look too formidable for me to attempt is now something I will tackle! Truly a welcomed video!
Glad you found the video useful Todd and thanks for watching.
Great video Mike. Like you, I've had this on my to-do list for some time. Maybe this will be the year. Thanks for sharing, Fred
+Fred Graber
Thanks Fred.....get to it....it'll be worth it!! ;)
Take care
Mike
Hi Mike. Thanks for sharing, Indeed, Stephen's video is a must see. I watched it some time ago as well. The steady rest is a nice piece of added security for your piece and yourself. So yes, depending on what's on the lathe, such as a vase you like to hollow out, you got to have this. I will be making one as well but out of aluminum. Just for the looks ☺. Will post some pics once this is completed. Your tightening levers are a great asset and as you say, provide you with that extra tightening force. Wobbeling is not very welcome here. Again, nicely done and thanks again. Greetings from Luxembourg. Cheers, Paul.
+Paul Weis
Thanks Paul, I'm glad you like the design, and all credit should go to Stephen :)
Cheers
Mike
that looks a useful bit of kit Mike, I have been going back over some of your videos, its my point of reference when ever I need to clarify anything, keep up the good work and keep em coming, cheers mate.
+brian taylor
Thanks Brian, also thank you for your kind words, and support, I really do appreciate it.
take care
Mike
Thank you Mike for the excellent post. As usual a well explained video. Always enjoy your stuff. Keep up the good work.
+Mark A
Thanks for your kind words, and support Mark, appreciated as always mate.
Take care
Mike
Good job and simplified step by step explanation with your build. Thank you for sharing Mike. U.S.A. OHIO.
+Jack Maravola
Thanks Jack, appreciate it my friend.
Take care
Mike
This is a "must-have" tool for big lathes. Gonna follow your instructions and make this thing.
Let me know what you think Wayne, when you've built and used it.
Cheers
Mike
Great video Mike. Thanks for sharing. This looks great. I will be making one of these at some stage, hopefully won't take too long to get round to it.
+Martin Boyle
Thanks Martin, let me know what you think when you have made it.
Cheers
Mike
Great video! I'm halfway through making this myself. Had some real problem figuring out the 60° angles bit. But then i changed to 120° and it worked fine. Thanks for sharing
Thank you, my humble apologies for the schoolboy error regarding the angles, I think I had a very "Senior" moment :)
Thanks for watching and take care
Mike
Just like to say thank you for the demonstration on how its constructed.... I may need to make one thank you again
Glad you found the video useful and Oliver and thanks for watching.
Mate thank you so much for showing us how to make this steady. I'll be making one myself for the Men's Shed I belong to, just to show them that with determination, belief, and imagination anything can be made.
My pleasure Lee. Thanks for the.
Thanks - great video
Great Steady Rest build Mike, as usual very well demonstrated and explained,
Best wishes Harry,
+The Little Garden Shed Workshop
Thanks Harry, appreciate it mate.
Cheers
Mike
Good job I plan on building one this summer. Thanks to you and Steven.
+Charles “Tim” Reicks
Thanks Tim, you'll be glad you made one, when you do :)
Cheers
Mike
This video goes straight into my todo playlist. One day i may need it ;). Very good explanation. Have a great 2016!!!
I'm definitely going to be making this in the near future. Thanks for the video! Good job!
Thanks for watching and good luck with the build.
Hi Mike, nice and easy to follow (as usual) I am new to turning and have found your videos very helpful, thanks for posting them. All the best
+Trevor Clarke
Thanks Trevor, I appreciate your kind words and support my friend.
Cheers
Mike
Hi Mike! That, my friend, is a very nice steady rest and something I should probably do at some point. Thank you so much for sharing the design! Cheers! Daniel
+Daniel Vilarino
Thanks Daniel, it is a very useful addition to the shop.
Take care
Mike
Enjoy your new steady rest. Comes in very handy at the right times.
Happy New Year Mike.
Alan
+As Wood Turns
Thanks Alan, I will mate, no fear there.
The same to you and yours my friend.
Take care
Mike
Excellent video and easy to follow
thanks
James
+icespeckledhens
Thank you James
Take care
Mike
Thanks mike, hope you have a good 2016 all the best john.
+bradturbo44
Pleasure John, and the same to you and your family my friend.
Cheers
Mike
Looks great Mike! Wish me luck as I'll be trying to make one of these soon.
Thanks Ken and GOOD LUCK! :)
Take care
Mike
Great video as always Mike and nicely explained. I know where to come back when I need one of these :)
+Ian Maude
Thanks Ian, appreciate it mate.
Happy New Year
Mike
Wow Mike Nice Job On that Steady Rest, You know mate I was In my shop this Afternoon and sorting through materials to make one of these. I thought I would come here on youtube and do some research, and low and behold there you was :) it was fate mate. I have now watched your complete video here and this is how I will make it, I will now go and get things ready look on E-Bay for some roller blade wheels and get cracking. Thank you mate for this Inspiring video tutorial build, You have just made my Day Mate. Thank you for sharing and take care...
Thank you Sir.... and the pleasure is mine. Really pleased that you found it of some use. They are a very handy addition, and work well.
Let me know what you think.
Take care
Mike
Mike Waldt Thanks Mate I will let you know how I get on and show you some pics when I finish it. Cheers Mate..and Take care
Great build Mike, very well explained.
Take care,
Carl
+Carl Jacobson
Thanks Carl, appreciate it my friend
Take care
Mike
i know Im quite off topic but does anybody know of a good website to watch new movies online ?
@Moises Edwin try flixzone. Just google for it =)
@Cash Rex yup, been using Flixzone for since april myself =)
@Cash Rex Thank you, I went there and it seems to work =) Appreciate it!
This is definitely on the 'to do' list for me, but I think I'm first going to try to make a segmenting sled for my table saw. I'm wanting to try doing some segmented things, but I think it would be much easier with a sled. Once I do though, I will likely need a steady rest like this because I'd like to try some really big pieces. (I'm getting ambitious lol)
Once again, this was another great video Mike! Thanks for sharing!
Cheers!
+Jerry Paul
Thanks Jerry, I have made a segmenting sled as well, again based on Stephen's design, well worth a look at his video on it. however I have yet to use it, and it was a while ago that I made it....lol.
Take care mate, and thanks for watching.
Mike
That looks like it will work great . Nice job and happy new year.
+glen mckelvey
Thanks Glen, I'm quite happy with it, and the same to you and yours mate.
Take care
Mike
Thanks Mike. Brilliant. My job for the week sorted. It takes me a while for any job....
Glad you enjoyed the video Ian, and thanks for watching mate.
None of my wood turning friends can afford to spend $350 for a steady rest, or most of the turning tools for sale. We end up making most of our own tools to save a ton of money, and keep on turning. Mike thank you for all your video's, very helpful.
Glad you find them useful.
I feel the same. Lots of homemade tools
That's a good sturdy job Mike! All the best for the new year.
Atb Ryan
+ryantoomanyhobbies
Thanks Ryan, and the same to you mate.
Take care
Mike
As informative as ever, well done keep it up. And happy new year.
+Michael Anderson
Thanks Michael, and the same to you and yours my firend.
Take care
Mike
I too used Stephen Ogle's video for inspiration to build a steady rest. I used carriage bolts and wing nuts to secure the arms. I plan on making my own knobs to replace the wing nuts as they are a little hard on my fingers. I had a little play in the slots for the arms so I just angle each arm in the direction of rotation and problem solved. Stephen's idea of using a jig saw for the inner hole makes a nice finished product. Nice informative video Mike. :-D
+Gil Grace
Thanks Gil, I too have made some knobs for the arms, and as you say any play in the arms and slots is easily rectified by doing exactly what you did :)
Take care
Mike
+Mike Waldt I've also noticed that the silicone skate wheels tend to dampen vibrations when you're turning near the end of a long project. Nice surprise.
very nice
thank you for showing this
Hi Mike,
Funnily enough I too have a set of roller blade wheels that I purchased back when Stephen uploaded his video of his steady rest, maybe it's about time I made mine too..
All the best
Rob
+Woodslee Summercraft
The time is NOW Rob ;)
As always, thanks for watching mate :)
Cheers
Mike
nicely made, thanks for all your good videos
+Germain Rioux
Thanks Germain, the pleasure is mine.
Take care
Mike
I enjoy the video. Thank you for sharing
+Spencer Brown
Thank you Spencer, glad you found it of interest.
Take care
Mike
Brilliant Mike !! an extremely well made piece of kit and all very well explained ,Great video mate .... now there is no excuse for me not to make one lol Many thanks for sharing , Cheers for now Bram
+Brams shed
Thanks Bram, I'm pretty sure you'll be happy with it if you make one.
Take care
Mike
Great video. I have built one that is similar, but I like the way you have attached yours to the bedways. I will change mine because your method is easier.
+Steve Brown
Thanks Steve, that method does make attaching and removal very easy.
Take care
Mike
Nice video Mike, one of these has been on my list for just as long if not longer. I still just need to find the time...
+Bill Davis
Thanks Bill, it'll be worth it when you do :)
Cheers
Mike
Super Projekt Mike!!!
Hat mir gut gefallen!
+Tiroler Drechsler
Thank you Tiroler
Cheers
Mike
Howdy Mike, Thanks mate very well explained... I must get busy and make one !! I should get it done within three or four years ;-) !! Cheers for sharing mate...
+Templeboy Turnings
Thanks for watching Steve, glad you liked it.....now get on and make one ;)
Take care
Mike
This is really excellent - thank you!!
Glad you found the video useful and thanks for watching.
Great explanation 👌 👍 thanks
Hi Mike,
That's a nice project! If I may suggest,take the disks that you use to clamp the steady-rest to the ways and cut two flats on each so that you can slip them up between the ways. That way you won't have to remove the tailstock when you need to use it. I wish you and your family a safe and prosperous New Year!
+Jim Kodysz
Thanks Jim, take a look at 12:32 on the video mate ;)
Take care
Mike
Hi Mike, Finally got around to using my Vermarc Hollowing System last weekend, at a friend's place as he wanted to try it as well, so I now have to make my own lathe steady as my original one only fits my small lathe. Great video and I will check out Stephen Ogle's video, who I also have followed for quite some time. Cheers, Huw. PS I've posted a short video of my first hollow form on my Instagram and Facebook pages. Huw
Hope you are enjoying your new hollowing rig Huw ... excuse the pun 😉.
I was inspired by Stephen when I made mine.
nice video mike thank you for all this videos
+telbera sky
Thank you
Cheers
Mike
Excellent, thanks for sharing! 🌎✌️👽❤️
Thank you much appreciated.
Thanks for always sharing. You are my go to guy lol. I am late coming to the show. You posted this in 2016 and it is now 2022. Have you been happy with it. I was going to spend the money and buy one already made. But... I saw the prices and well money don't grow on trees.
It's still going strong and suits my needs more than adequately. Thanks for watching and commenting
Very cool, Mike! Lots of people will be making these now.
Take care,
.....Gord
+Gord Rock
Thanks Gord, not to your high standards of finish...but it does the job ;)
Take care
Mike
Very nice job I'm going to build one thanks
Very nice, and a happy new year to you.
+Peter Boesen
Thanks Peter, and the same to you my friend.
Take care
Mike
Nice one. Still need to build myself one of those. Finding that the segmented coffee mugs need some extra support when hollowing. I did see Steven's video as well as really liked how he went about it.
+AnkleBiter Woodworks
Thank you, it is a great addition to my shop :)
Take care
Mike
Great build I will copy yours, Happy New Year
+Stephen McFadyen
Thanks Stephen, I think you'll like it.
The same to you and yours as well my friend
Take care
Mike
Thanks - anxious to make my own.
+Alan East
Thanks for watching Alan, they are a very useful piece of kit to have in the shop.
Cheers
Mike
Thank you very much for your knowledge
My pleasure and thank you for watching.
Very well explained Mike and a sturdy bit of kit it looks too. Now for you to turn something thin and long 👍🏻😂
+tingturner1
Thank you Glynn, I very pleased with it mate....you may be right there an' all ;)
take care
Mike
Nice build. Like the modifications. JimE
+Jim E
Thanks Jim....needs must :)
Cheers
Mike
Looks just like mine !! (okay I used Stehens idea also). Haven't used it yet but I'm sure it will work well. Initially I looked at manufactured ones but the cost was prohibitive to say the least. Few hours in the shop & apart from hardware cost was next to nothing. Thanks for sharing, look forward to your coming projects & a Very Happy New Year to you & your family.
Regards ........... Geof Harris
+geofo60
Lol.....it is a great design nd Stephen is a big inspiration to us turners for sure.
Take care, and Happy New Year to you and yours as well
Mike
Nice build Mike, I still have not made one of these but I should.
+Erik Anderson
Thanks Erik, they are a very handy addition to have.
Take care
Mike
Very well explained Mike, when you come up with a design to keep the turner steady let me know as I'm almost at the age I will be needing one very soon. Lol
Happy New Year to you mate.
Tony
+oaksho
Thanks Tony, and LMAO....I know what you mean mate I assure you.....me thinks I have a fair few years on you matey ;)
Take care, and a Happy New Year to you and your family as well.
Mike
Thanks a lot Mike!
My pleasure Russ and thanks for watching.
Cheers
Mike
Nice Project, Mike
+Günter Schöne
Thanks Gunter
Take care
Mike
Nice work on the steady rest, Mike. I really like the lengthwise centering board that runs in the slot of the bedways. Those skate wheels are great, aren't they? I bought several from Lee Valley, FYI guys, they are still available and at a fair price. Mike, I will send you a photo of my steady rest which uses the same wheels. Mine is crude compared to yours, so now I have to improve my "prototype" based upon your video. Happy New Year to you and your family.
Bill
+Bill Wells
Thanks Bill, Stephens design is great. I am a great believer in prototypes........but I rarely make a "proper" one, if the original does the job, less time at the lathe :)
Take care and Happy New Year to you and yours as well my friend.
Mike
Nice Design! I would recommend using lock washers under the wing nuts.
+Steve Woolf
Thanks Steve, also thanks for the suggestion too.
Cheers
Mike
Very informative 👏
Thank you Tim I'm glad you found the video useful.
thanks for posting
+Jack Gilbert
Thanks for watching Jack :)
Take care
Mike
I"ve watched Stephen's video also. Both did good jobs.
Just one minor item. In the video you talk about the 60 degree angles you cut for positioning. I believe you meant 120 degrees given that a 360 degree circle cut into '3's' doesn't work good using 60 degree separation.
Unless of course I simply did not understand or missed something.
I would have loved to have seen the 'internal cutting' of the basic circle base shape included.
+John Astrello
I John you are right...I messed up with the angles, I had a brain freeze me thinks.....something that seems more pronounced as I leave my youth behind me ;)
Take care
Mike
Thank you.
Making one today!
Great job Mike and well explained. Darn with all these great projects for me to make as well when will I find time to turn? LOLI can see an ever longer stemed gobblet emerging from that in no time. yeah even longer that your long stemed gobblet you did back in the day. 20" is the goal LOLTake care
+Al Furtado (Rebel WoodTurner)
Thanks Al, I'm sure it won't be long before you make one, and it'll be better than mine, of that I have no doubt :)
Take care my friend, and thanks for watching and commenting.
Mike
That's a good job Mike. The only thing I'd do, which you have probably done, is run a bit of sandpaper along the edges to take the ply shards off and that's it. What happened to your lathe? I saw Rob answer your comment on his workshop update and wondered how I missed a crisis like that.
Best Wishes, Brendan.
+baconsoda
Thanks Brendan, it's taken me long enough to get round to it!
I had a problem with a loud clicking noise, thought the spindle had to come out, but the solution was easy in the end. Too lnog to explain here, but there was a long post and sharing of possible causes on Woodchuckers......I'll email you mate :)
Take care
Mike
Excellent... I did the same as you and based mine on Stephen ogles and I'm very pleased with the way it works, I hope yours will do the same for you...
Happy new year...
Cheers...
+Adam Quincey
Thanks Adam, I'm sure it will.
Happy New Year to you and yours as well my friend.
Take care
Mike
Great video Mike now I really have no excuse to just build one
+Jonathan Match
Thanks Jonathan
Cheers
Mike
Thank you very interesting
Glad you enjoyed it Larry, and thanks for watching.
Cheers
Mike
Thanks for posting this, perfect timing. What is the maximum dia. of vessel it will encompass?
+Lynn Schmidt
It will hold a diameter of about 8" (200 mm), I don't foresee me needing any bigger. Thanks for watching.
Take care
Mike
Great build Mike, always like that type of steady rest, might make one if I find the time... I want to make a medium rest, for medium to small stuff, the large rest I made for the djembe video is just too much for small stuff...
+Yuval Lahav
Thanks Yuval, you'll be pleased with the result when you find the time to make one. Knowing you, it won't be that long before you do ;)
Take care
Mike
great video mike,,you and carl Jacobsen are where I have learned everything I know,,gotta build me one of these steady rests and you explained it very well,,do you have a video on how you made your circle cutting jig for the bandsaw,,and is there a place I can purchase the rollers,,
Thanks Jeff, the rollers I got from a second hand pair of roller blades I got off eBay, and here is the link to the circle cutting jig. I have done two, but this is the upgraded one :)
th-cam.com/video/HAq7_nBpUrY/w-d-xo.html
Hope this helps.
Cheers
Mike
Great video, as usual. I'm assuming the three arms are identical - if so, a scale along each arm would make it easy to adjust the arms symmetrically. Happy New year Brian
+Brian Best
Thanks Brian, yes they are, nice idea with the scale, thanks for that.
Happy New Year to you and yours as well mate.
Take care
Mike
really nice build, that could be easily adapted to a tubular bed. you could also add measurement marks to the three arms if you were really paranoid about them being exactly centered.
+hedgebetss
Thank you, there are many options and alternatives as you say....but for me it does the job as is, but I'm sure I'll modify it as time goes by :)
Take care
Mike
As always great information Mike, what would you think about flipping the rollers 180 degrees so they run true to the inside of the overall frame?
Thank you Casper … now there is a great suggestion … will try that alteration for sure, may make it even more stable.
Take care
Mike
Brilliant
Thanks Steve.
6 years later........thank you for posting. I will be copying much of this design.
Glad to hear that you found this video helpful Mike and thanks for watching and commenting.
Mike,
I made the steady rest. Cannot figure out how to send a picture of it to you though.
It came out great. Made good use of the circle cutting jig for the bandsaw with this too.
Thanks very much for insight. It was really a fun and rewarding project.
Bruce Kamp
+Bruce Kamp
Hi Bruce, glad your pleased with yours mate. I'd love to see your pictures, you could friend me on FB, and send the pics there :)
Cheers
Mike
Mike Waldt will do Mike. Thanks.
Happy new year Mike
As always class video bud 10/10 👍👍
On a non turning note I herd you say part way though that you don't have a router table. If your interested Mike I have the smaller of the two Bosch table saws ( I didn't go for the same as you in the end foot print was too big for me ) and have made a attachments too go on too the table saw too turn it in too a router table your more than welcome too any info if you want too do the same too your saw 👍👍
Daz
+darren brewster
Thanks Darren.
I'll PM you mate, I would be interested to see what you've done, so I can give it a shot when I get some time :)
Take care
Mike
Hi Mike, Have been watching your channel and I truly appreciate your videos. As it relates to the shop made steady rest I have a suggestion. Would it make sense to place one arm on the horizontal opposite the cutting force of the hollowing tool? The remaining two arms would still be at 120 degrees. Sorry if this question has come up, but I couldn't bring my self to read all the comments.
Hi Elliot, a good point, I have never considered that option, but I suppose it would work well.
If you get around to making one with that configuration, I would be very interested what you think.
Take care, and thanks for your input.
Cheers
Mike
Another good tutorial, very good for us beginners, thank you. Where did you get the wheels from please? thanks, Tony.
Thanks Tony, and a big LOL for your next comment ;)
Cheers
Mike
Very nice and I've been wanting to make one for the last 2 years as well. Question for you if you don't mind: is there a reason you used 3 wheels instead of say 4 and is there a reason for having the two wheels on top instead of the bottom? Just curious. As always thanks for your videos!
+SP Wood Art
Hi, I only used this design as I was inspired by the design that Stephen Ogle used, and it seems to work well. You could use four wheels, as many do, but for my needs, this was sufficient.
Hope this answers you question.
Take care
Mike
Hi Mike I've been wanting to make one of these for ages. Well explained and easy to follow.
Did you do a video on the bandsaw circle cutting jig you mentioned? If you did can you send me the link.
Thanks
Andrew
+Andrew Jackson
Thanks Andrew, here's the link to my "upgraded" circle cutting jig
th-cam.com/video/HAq7_nBpUrY/w-d-xo.html
Hope this helps.
Take care
Mike
Sorry Mike just realised I'd missed the bit re the wheels initially but caught it on the second viewing - Doh!
Thank you. Mine turned out perfect. However, I had to modify the base because the chuck base is not centered with the space for the sliding bar on the lathe I'm using. Just fyi. Check this alignment before screwing/gluing your bottom compnents.
Happy to hear that all worked out well for you Bill, and that the video was helpful.
Thanks for watching. Cheers. Mike
I have noticed some designs first define the center point of their circle by setting their wood on the lathe and using a pointed live center locate the center point. In your design, which I really like, do you do that at some point or is it necessary? Great videos Mike, Thank you.
Approximate will do in my opinion as the arms will counteract it being slightly off centre Gary.
New camera Mike? Something looks different and a lot better nice project mate keep it up and upload again soon
Also just wanted to say your mentioned in my new video that's up hopes that's okay it's my support to UKIWS
+Mats Turnings
Hi Mat....same camera mate.....must have done something right for a change...lol.
Thanks for your support and kind comments.
Cheers
Mike
+Mats Turnings
of course it's OK, thank you for giving us a shout out...I'll be watching it shortly, I was notified you had uploaded a new video, just haven't had chance to catch up with my video watch ;)
Take care
Mike
+Mike Waldt cheers Mike least I can do all the support and inspirations you guys have given me
mike I got this type of steady rest but I was curious if you use this on your goblets or spindle turnings,,,actually im looking for a smaller one for that purpose,,,either to make or buy,,can you help me out,,,
Hi Jeff, when I'm turning goblets of any length I use my small cast iron steady rest, the one I bought from Axminster when I got my first lathe. I had to make some risers for it (out of hard wood) to raise it to the higher spindle of my current lathe.
www.axminster.co.uk/axminster-fixed-steady-676001
Simon Hope (hopewoodturning.co.uk/) also does a couple of sizes which are not on his website, but if you send him an eMail or ring him, I'm sure he will answer any questions you might have.
Hope this helps, if not let me know.
Cheers
Mike
thanks mike,,