Your recommendations for a Steady Rest?

[Warren White]

I have a Powermatic 2020 lathe and am interested in your recommendations for a Steady Rest. I have gotten along for a few years without one, but I do see why it might up my game (and keep me safer) to have one.

I have looked at Craft Supplies and a couple of other places, but the reviews are oftentimes slim or non existent. So,I have come to the best place to learn from those with actual experience. I appreciate your thoughts and suggestions.

 

[PreacherJon]

You should check out what Ron Brown has to offer. Great guy to work with.

Amazing Steady Rest Type 2 - 20 inch/18 inch

Amazing Steady Rest Type 2 - 20 inch/18 inch

longworthchuck.com

 

[jttheclockman]

I have a Powermatic 2020 lathe and am interested in your recommendations for a Steady Rest. I have gotten along for a few years without one, but I do see why it might up my game (and keep me safer) to have one.

I have looked at Craft Supplies and a couple of other places, but the reviews are oftentimes slim or non existent. So,I have come to the best place to learn from those with actual experience. I appreciate your thoughts and suggestions.

What are you looking to do with it? Could make a difference in sizes and strength needed.

 

[ed4copies]

We added this to our line after I made some peppermills for demonstrations.

It is economical and worked great on both my Powermatic and the Jet.
FWIW

https://exoticblanks.com/products/stead-fast-steady-rest?_pos=1&_psq=steady+rest&_ss=e&_v=1.0

 

[egnald]

My primary goal for getting a steady rest was for providing steady support for shaping the ends of closed end pens. Most of the steady rests I had seen seemed much too large for what I was wanting to do, so here is the direction I took.

I bought a 0 to 1" inch, ball bearing, steady rest from Little Machine Shop that was made specifically for mini metal turning lathes. Then I built an adapter plate from hard maple to adapt it to my JET 1221VS lathe. I also had to design and build a different clamping bolt/foot than what came with the unit. It is essentially a surplus foot along with some threaded rod, fender washers and nuts. Later, I modified it by adding some rare earth magnets so that it will stick onto the bottom of the ways on my lathe - not necessary, but it sure makes installation a lot easier.

Along the way I also made a couple of minor changes/additions to the steady rest itself to make it more user friendly for what I intended. I essentially added some compression springs and replaced some nuts with wingnuts to help make the adjustments easier.

I attached a .pdf file that has pictures and descriptions of how it turned out. So far, it has been doing a great job for me.

Dave