I’d like to request that we buy a steady rest for the powermatic lathe. We used to have one but it was lost when we didn’t purchase the one way from Jimmy.
We can get something cheap or we can make one.
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Why do you want one? Turning thin spindles? Turning Large vases? Turning metal? Some are good for thin spindles and some are good for large vases.
The powermatic is a 20" swing. The one above would have to be modified with a block that raises it up 4" (and get a longer screw).
Here is one that fits a 20" swing without having to make a block: https://www.turnrobust.com/product/20-inch-steady-rest/?gQT=2
I’ve been considering a DIY project to build a steady rest for the Powermatic. Haven’t been able to do some projects (vases, long spindles) since we lost the Oneway and its steady rest rest. I know what I build would not be as robust as something like Dan mentioned. Hoping we can get something like the Robust SR, would be a great addition to the lathe area.
For me…long spindles (specifically drilling ends for tool handles (like lathe tools). But I typically turn/make tool handles on the wood lathe. Hammers, lathe tools, glass hand tools…ect
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If you want to do long spindles you need one with small wheels. The two steady rests above won’t work because have relatively large wheels. The smallest spindle that can be held by these is around 1.5 inches or so.
Making one is fairly easy. I make one out of baltic birch, maple, and roller skate wheels (too big for you application but you could use smaller wheels or use two wheels per arm and offset each arm). I use it for hollowing out vases with my home built hollowing rig. I cut it out on a cnc. 3/4" bb it is pretty stiff. One thing i learned - the arms must be bolted down with two points of contact. I’d be glad to send you the cnc file (carbide create file) if you are interested.
