#03 How to make a Shop Built Steady Rest

I needed a steady rest in order to turn a larger than normal (for me) vase. This is my version and uses wooden Pecan wheels.

[@firejaywin]

I watched this years ago - but I am finally going to try to build one. Thank you for your videos and knowledge - I hope retirement is doing you well

[@dmaschy599]

I like the way you made your steady rest,your explination was clear and good.Thanks.

[@thewoodman6039]

I am late on the show: but gotta say you are brilliant man! Thank you for sharing.

[@Pharmboy08]

I don't know which is better, the awesome steady rest, or the t-shirt. Story of my life, "let me drop what I'm smack in the middle of and suit your needs". Hahaha, keep up the great work sir, very inspiring for a new turner.

[@StephenOgle]

LOL, I thought I may get a laugh from that one, but isn't it true though. Hey eally glad you enjoyed the video. I have used this steady rest on several videos now and have come to really depend on it. Works great. I have since added rubber tires on the wheels and wooden knobs for all the tightening nuts. Glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for supporting my channel.

[@daddysix3731]

The date for when you made this makes pretty plain its been a while back. Just the same, its still a treasure and I'm glad I found it. Thanks so much for the generous spirit! Blessings!

[@StephenOgle]

+George Cooper Jr Thank you George. I still use this exact same steady rest a lot. It still works great. I have since added turned knobs to all the arms and clamps and replaced the wooden wheels with roller blade wheels. Other than that it is still the same fixture. Glad you enjoyed this project.

[@rayswann9080]

Great video and a great T shirt Mate - cheers from Down Under

[@gnusndn301]

Make your own bees Meyer fence. I made mine years ago and it was one of the best things I ever did. It works great. It takes a little bit of steel and a little bit of welding ability but it it's worth it.

[@StephenOgle]

Thank you very much for your suggestion. I agree 100%. Since this video was uploaded I finally purchased a new tablesaw with the Besmeyer style fence and you are correct. It is worth it. Thank you and take care.

[@richardray73]

Stephen, if you sprinkle a little of salt to the area with glue it will keep it from sliding around on you, the salt will not hurt or interfere with the glue up. Good video, thanks.

[@williamgoyman9327]

I realy have to thank you for your prompt reply.I have a Ace Hardware here in Apache Junction Arizona so I will be going over there Monday to pick up a set. Hope to finish up the Steadyrest and get on with the turning. You are a great turner.

[@StephenOgle]

That's great, good luck and thanks for supporting my channel.

[@ArcticFlies56]

Fantastic job! You are definitely a craftsman. I'm going to attempt to build one for my workshop. I saved this video so that I can go back to it as I build the steady rest. Thank you for your video, it's great.

[@StephenOgle]

Thank you Richard, I'm glad my video helped you out. I have since made a couple of improvements. I added turned knobs to the arms and the clamp which just makes it easier than using a wrench. I also used 2 inch rubber o rings on the wheels for a lighter touch on your piece. You can see the improved version at this link. #06 Woodturning a Vase from Scraps Part 3 Thanks for watching. I hope you continue to enjoy my videos. Merry Christmas.

[@frankhiebert492]

Working on a project that will require a steady rest, so thanks for doing this video Stephen, I will use your idea. Love your videos, keep up the great work.

[@StephenOgle]

Frank Hiebert Thank you Frank. I have used this steady rest on many projects now and it is over a year old. Still works great. I made a couple of mods to this rest. I added knobs to the adjusting arms and to the clamp. I used rubber O-rings as tires also. I have a new project that I will be using it on tomorrow and hopefully I will get it on KZbin by Wednesday morning. It is the 3rd of a three part series about making a 12 in Maple Vase. Hope you will enjoy it also. Thank you my friend for commenting and supporting my channel.

[@BoosGrandPa]

Thanks Stephen, That is what I wanted to see, the steady looks sturdy and should last a long time best of all built at a fraction of the cost of a store-bought steady rest well done.

[@StephenOgle]

John Flanigan Thank you John. Glad you enjoyed this project and found it helpful. I am still using this steady rest with only minor modifications such as knobs for tightening the clamps and using rollerblade wheels. Thank you for commenting.

[@StephenOgle]

I needed a steady rest in order to turn a larger than normal (for me) vase. This is my version and uses wooden Pecan wheels.

[@mikeyandalyssab4782]

Just fantastic! Love your explanations in your videos. You say just enough and add in enough tips throughout to keep me very interested, but you don't ramble on constantly like some people tend to do :) Thanks again!

[@cliffphillips9952]

Hi Stephen, greeting from the UK. I've recently retired and taken up turning as a new hobby and was having problems trying to do some deep hole boring in the end grain of some long pepper grinders I'm attempting to make, I've just made this rest and it works a treat, managed to get some old rollerblades for about 6 dollars the rest I had in my shop. Thanks for sharing and keep the videos coming, really enjoy them.

[@johanneshohenbuhel1363]

Fabulous show!! Well done.! I did mine over the weekend with old rollerblade wheels. Works great and runs smooth. The only catch was good old murphy's law putting one of those screws holding the two rings together after they were glued together, exactly there where the center bolt comes through. had to offer one of my steel drills to get through that screw because the socket has already been tightly fixed to the ring with glue :-( Therefore watch out for Murphy and think twice where you set those screws before doing the rest of glueing… Thanks for sharing this way how to safe a lot of money :)

[@StephenOgle]

Johannes Hohenbühel Thank you Johannes. I'm glad you enjoyed this project and found it helpful. I still use this same steady rest except that I have upgraded to the rollerblade wheels myself. Sorry about the drill bit, but you still saved a fist full of dollars. Thank you for sharing your experience and supporting my channel.

[@tonymontgomery1033]

Watching this video for a second time to learn how to make my own steady rest, I realized something. We have the same table saw. I found mine in an abandoned storage unit. It has some minor issues, but it runs like a champ. Had to make my own belt guard though.

[@eltonherrera7524]

Every day I learned something new.. I really enjoy your video on how to make a "steady rest" for your lathe.. And your right I haven't seeing anybody else make little wooden wheels and I really appreciate watching how you did it, I guess other people might wanna use those in-line skates wheels but anybody has in-line skates laying around.. See!! I learned something else also as well.. Thanks Stephen.

[@davidmorgan7522]

Thanks for sharing this with us Stephen. I found that I really need one to finish the urn I'm working on and yours fits that bill. Simple yet very workable jig! Take care, Dave

[@StephenOgle]

David Morgan Thanks David for commenting. A good steady rest is a must in a woodturning shop. Hope you can save some money building your own. Glad you enjoyed this project and thank you for commenting.

[@Kidnono635]

Nice video Stephen , I think I'll have to make a smaller one for my mini lathe but the design is really simple and doable . Thanks for the ideas . Greetings from France

[@StephenOgle]

Kidnono635 Thank you sir. Glad you enjoyed this project and found it helpful.

[@davidmorgan7522]

Got my steady rest done and have used it ob n a couple of projects. Works great! Thanks for your video and explanation. Take care, Dave

[@StephenOgle]

David Morgan Excellent Dave. Glad to hear it and that my video was helpful. I still enjoy this project. I have since changed to the rollerblade wheels since a viewer sent me three of them. Thank you for commenting and good luck with your projects.

[@marykedykhuizen6902]

Thankyou for the awesome instructions. I will watch it again when I make mine. Mary

[@StephenOgle]

+Maryke Dykhuizen Thank you sir. Glad you liked this project. I still use this same steady rest a lot. The only modifications made are that. I changed to the roller blade wheels and I added knobs to the arms and clamp. Hope you enjoy your build.

[@redbarnwood5464]

Thanks I like the ease of design I've made a vase that I could've used one of these but I'm a beginner so had no idea they existed that's what KZbin is for lol Thanks again keep up the good work!

[@anthonymaida5718]

Another Great video Steve I really enjoyed it.Thanks Anthony

[@StephenOgle]

Thank you Anthony. I really appreciate it. Glad you enjoyed this project.

[@gordroberts53]

Hi Stephen, decided a needed one of these to finish my first vase. Was having a little trouble with catches that moved it off centre. The design and your crystal clear step by step produced a very workable copy of the original. Went with skate wheels as I had a pair sitting around. Works perfect, thanks!

[@StephenOgle]

Thank you Gord. Glad to see my video helped you out in some way. I too have changed to the Roller Blade Wheels and like them much better. Take Care.

[@TheDonJoyner]

Nice design, Steve. I'll probably make one just like it. Might use some cheap 2" or 3" wheels from Harbor Freight. Thanks for sharing.

[@StephenOgle]

Very good, My wheels ended up costing around 6 dollars each. with the bearings and I also added rubber O rings as tires. You may be better off. However I would suggest that the two inch wheels will allow you greater capacity in diameter of your piece. Thank you for you comment and Merry Christmas.

[@charlesjohnson9116]

Hi Stephen, I sure enjoy watching your video's. Today I finished making your steady rest. I did use roller skate wheels on mine. I spent around $25.00 to make this and am happy. I get a lot of ideas from your video's.

[@packer34]

Hi Steve! Thanks for all the great info! I to am a self taught wood turner getting a lot of info from youtube!

[@StephenOgle]

You are welcome and thanks for the comments. Have a Merry Christmas.

[@ErikAnderson1]

Great video Stephen, nice steady rest, I need to make one of these.

[@StephenOgle]

Thanks Eric, these things really make certain projects easier and Safer. Not too hard to build either. Thank you sir for commenting.

[@crackerjack3359]

I'm in the same situation. I have a large Jamison hollowing rig with laser and camera on the over head arm. I will rotate the arms on the rest 20 degrees clockwise (looking from the tail stock) and that will take the top arm out of the way of the overhead sensors..

[@humbertoaraica8055]

Great job, good idea, thanks for the video.

[@watcherdude1330]

Stephen wow sir great build. Your instructions are very clear and very detailed. Only little thing is it was a bit hard to understand you sometimes as the noise of machines but a super idea with the wood wheels. I REALLY LIKE the less expense route. Keep up the great work

[@gunsandzen8575]

Awesome work

[@johnmay3266]

Excellent job Stephen

[@StephenOgle]

Thank you John. I still use this steady rest today. Only a couple of modifications. I changed the rollers to the soft polyurethane rollerblade wheels and I turned knobs for all the clamping bolts. I hope you enjoy your build.

[@Sailabear11]

Excellent project! Many thanks!

[@honeybees1970]

Great tutorial Stephen, I need to make me one of these, so this will help for sure, thanks.. Take care Rob

[@StephenOgle]

Thanks Rob for commenting. Glad you found this video helpful. Let me know how your project goes. I appreciate your support of my channel.

[@donaldhamel9311]

Hey Rob I know it's been awhile since you made your lathe support and maybe you know this now but when gluing up projects sprinkle some salt on the glue areas and when you clamp it the wood won't slide around as you add clamping pressure, it's a trick I learned a long time ago and works well

[@leeoneill1918]

Hey thanks for this tip Ronald

[@jerrybell4362]

Good job, Stephen, I built a smaller version of this (my lathe is a 10" ) and also made wooden wheels. Yours looks a lot better than mine.

[@StephenOgle]

+Jerry Bell Thank you Jerry. If it works and serves it's purpose then it is perfect. Glad you found this video helpful my friend.

[@billmarcus7257]

Would look great in hickory or ash or Purple Heart for extra pizazz and strength!! Great ideas but beer pockets!! Would you barter for some exotic zebrawood lumber??

[@robertkutz9540]

stephen nice steady rest rest video.

[@StephenOgle]

Thank you sir, hope it helps. I appreciate th comments.

[@geoffspierling3206]

Hi Stephen, just what I need. I wet turned some deep vases and they are now dry and ready to finish. Thanks Stephen. Oh! I caught sight of your compass and wonder if you could show us that some day.

[@StephenOgle]

Thank you Geoff. I have made some light mods to this steady rest since this video. I used the polyurethane roller blade wheels and made knobs for all the clamps. I am still using this rest all the time and still get great results. Glad you enjoyed this project. Good luck with your vases. I will try to do an overview of my trammel. I actually found that design in a Woodsmith magazine.

[@hosseinhayati9820]

Thank you for the heads up. I was about to make the same. Now I know better how to proceed :)

[@StephenOgle]

Thank you sir. Glad I could be of some help.

[@richardschaffling9882]

Thanks that was a very informative video and looks great

[@StephenOgle]

+Richard Schaffling Thank you Richard. Glad you enjoyed this project. I have been using it now for almost two years and it still runs great. I have since added the roller skate wheels and it works better than the wooden ones. Also added wooden knobs to the clamps.

[@billmarcus7257]

Great video!!!! I’m not that handy, plus I’m on total disability for 8 yrs now😢! Have a full sized powermatic 4224B, and I need a good well made steady steady rest w 3 or 4 arms!! Would you be willing to make me one? Cost shipped to MD???

[@garyevans8116]

Good job mate nicely done thank you. I'm going to build 1

[@StephenOgle]

Thanks again Gary for commenting. Good luck on your build.

[@jackwagon4313]

I like the look of the wood wheels better than the skateboard wheels.

[@nealramsey4439]

A trick if seen, is if you put just a tiny pinch of rock salt between the wood pieces you're gluing together, it'll stop it from sliding around while you're clamping them together

[@thomasgarrison3949]

Mike Waldt said your video is a must see video.

[@jsburklow]

Thanks Stephen i think i will have to give this a try.

[@StephenOgle]

+Jeff Burklow Thank you Jeff. Let me know how it goes..

[@gdaruda]

A really good thing to use for wheels is hockey pucks, Cheap like dirt and you can cut them to size on a lathe to any shape and resses bearings in them.

[@StephenOgle]

Thanks George, I would have never thought of that. Sounds like a great idea. I may be giving this a try when these wheels wear out. Thanks for the suggestion and for supporting my channel.

[@gdaruda]

Stephen Ogle

[@adamquincey4371]

Hello again Stephen, I just thought I'd let you know, I've been watching this video on the steady rest build a few times and studying it, even though I did watch it when you originally made it. Bit I've now nearly completed one of my own, I hope you don't mind me copying yours? I'm looking forward to completing it and trying it out... Thank you...!! Not just for this video but all of them... Over the years I've learnt a lot... Cheers mate...

[@StephenOgle]

Adam Quincey Thank you Adam for commenting. Oh course I don't mind if you use my design. That is why I do all my videos.. Just to help people acquire tools and fixtures and save some money too boot. i am glad you like my design enough to give it a shot. I am still using mine. The only modifications I have made is adding wooden knobs to the clamp and arms. Also I have now upgraded to the roller blade wheels. Thank you for all your support.

[@arturmotoca]

Ola caro amigo Stephen Muito bom seu projeto, simples, seguro e com certeza eficaz Agradeço por compartilhar com todos nós Paz e luz

[@StephenOgle]

Thank you Artur again for commenting. Glad you enjoyed this project and found it helpful. Thank you for supporting my channel.

[@adamquincey4371]

Excellent job Stephen. I need to build a steady rest for my lathe, if you don't mind I'll copy the way you did yours. Cheers... Adam

[@StephenOgle]

The steady rest works very well, I did make some improvements. I installed 2 inch O rings as tires on the outside of each wheel. I also turned knobs for all the adjustable nuts so I did not need a wrench. Thanks for commenting and supporting my channel.

[@swat253dg]

Stephen Ogle Great video and step x step instruction! While watching you bore the wheel stock, the o-ring idea popped into my head. Glad to see it is a viable option.

[@StephenOgle]

Thank you sir for commenting. I still use this steady rest quite often and am completely satisfied with it's performance. Glad you enjoyed this project.

[@bearshield7138]

thank you for showing this

[@JFW1]

Great work keep it up

[@StephenOgle]

James Weems Thanks James, glad you enjoyed this video.

[@BeaulieuTodd]

This guy KILLS me. I love watch Steve.

[@StephenOgle]

Thank you Todd I love it that you are enjoying my channel sir. Take care, brother.

[@pitpit64]

Ive always said that the Americans are the worldìs cleverest wood workers,They've got it in their blood

[@StephenOgle]

Thank you Peter. Glad you enjoyed this project. I just have a need and didn't have money for a store bought product. Just had to make one for myself. I think anyone could figure out this project if the needs arise. Thank you very much for commenting on this project and for supporting my channel.

[@imanutnur7]

I made one yesterday thanks for the video

[@StephenOgle]

Excellent work Tom. Your welcome.I am still using this steady rest. Works great. Thanks for commenting.

[@theredeyekid2957]

You are a genius........

[@StephenOgle]

Thank you Sarah. Your comment is humbling. I just love the experimentation and learning new things. Thank you for your support.

[@joshblumenthal4873]

Thanks for the detailed information and I'm getting ready to make this. Did the wooden Wheels work out well or would you now suggest ordering wheels for it? Thanks

[@StephenOgle]

Thank you Josh. Glad you enjoyed this project and found it useful. I would recommend using another type wheel for this project. The wooden ones worked well but were more maintenance. Rollerblade wheels are what I went too and they worked great until I sold this lathe and sent the steady rest with it. I hope this helps. Take care.

[@joshblumenthal4873]

@@StephenOgle Thanks, that's very helpful.

[@joshblumenthal4873]

@@StephenOgle Here's a laugh for you. I started looking for rollerblade wheels but then found used little kids rollerblades for $20.

[@noelperry9287]

Nice T shirt mate

[@hawkeye10100]

Great video like all of your videos. What part of the US do you live? You sound like you are from TN. I live about 30 miles east of Nashville and you sound like the rest of us. LOL

[@longdriver2]

I built one today. I don't have any wheels just yet. Gonna make them tomorrow. You think the wood wheels are better then the skate wheels?

[@StephenOgle]

Thank you sir. Glad you enjoyed this project. I used this steady rest until I sold my other lathe and it went with it. I would recommend the skateboard wheels. I did not have problems with the wooden ones except that the O-rings I used would not stay on the wheels. I hope this helps.

[@joshblumenthal4873]

How did the wood wheels work? Did they hold up? Leave marks on the piece you were turning?

[@StephenOgle]

Good question John. The wooden wheels ended up not being ideal. They began to crack after a while so I changed them out for roller blade wheels about a year after this video. Many of my later videos shows this steady rest with the new wheels. the roller blade wheels worked great until I sold this lathe.

[@1939178859]

Muito bom Stephen parabéns.

[@StephenOgle]

Thank you sir. Glad you found this video informative.

[@1939178859]

Bom dia Stephen gostei do vídeo muito obrigado, fique com Deus.

[@stevenhill6214]

Thanks for a great idea, I will definitely be making one of those. I like your smooth style explaining things. Sounds like you picked up a bit of Norm Abram style, or did he get it from you?

[@MrAbrink]

well done now i just need to buy me a lathe!

[@StephenOgle]

Thank you sir for your comments. Yes all you need now is a lathe. You can get them fairly reasonable. I hope you get one if that is what you want. It is a good hobby. Thanks again and I hope you enjoy my other videos.

[@djacobs7169]

Do you have plans for bandsaw circle jig?

[@steveguy5914]

Hi, Just wondering how big it is and about how big of turning you can put in this? Thanks Steve

[@StephenOgle]

***** Thans Steve for your question. This steady rest is 13 inches inside diameter and can turn pieces of around 10 inches in diameter. Thanks for commenting and supporting my channel.

[@timmehling5147]

Stephen What diameter/mm are your urethane wheels? I have the rest built but having trouble finding the wheels. Great instruction. Thanks

[@StephenOgle]

+Tim Mehling I believe they are 2 inch. I have since changed over to the roller blade wheels. They work very well. Hope this helps.

[@josepheberle6485]

Walmart has them

[@randybirkelbach3333]

Good job. Where did you get the bearings?

[@StephenOgle]

+Randy Birkelbach Thank you Randy. These bearings came from my local Ace Hardware, however I have since changed to using rollerblade wheels and they can be purchased at lots of places really cheap. Hope this helps.

[@Warick.Grubb.]

love the shirt

[@StephenOgle]

+Warick Grubb Thanks mate. Glad you like it sir.

[@leeeldredge1191]

Warick Grubb A

[@rustynorley6885]

Hi, can you tell me where you got your bearings? Thanks!

[@StephenOgle]

Thank you Rusty. Glad you enjoyed this project. I got the bearings at my local ACE Hardware. You can also get them from online places. I would recommend that you use the rollerblade wheels though. I did wear these wheels out rather quickly. I hope this helps. Take care.

[@rustynorley6885]

@@StephenOgle Yes and thank you! Take care as well.

[@torch22tube]

Stephen, it's been a few months since you published this video. How has the steady rest worked out? Is there anything you would do differently, if you needed to build another one. I need one, and this looks like it will work for me.

[@StephenOgle]

I have used the steady rest several times. I made a couple of improvements from the original. I turned some knobs for the arms and the clamp to keep from using a wrench and I also added 2 inch O rings to the wheels as tires. Really works good. You can see it with the improvements on my video Woodturning a Vase from Scraps part 3 here is a link to it. #06 Woodturning a Vase from Scraps Part 3 Thanks for your great comments and questions.

[@jammer5375]

North Carolina , or tenn.?

[@mdjahangir-jn8tl]

Super

[@StephenOgle]

Thank you very much.

[@billy19461]

Great job! Thanks for the video!

[@СтасЖелезнов-о4ж]

Хороший люнет получился .

[@thebigguymarv]

Stephen, I really enjoyed the video! I do have a question. From the way it looks in the video the bearings tall outer lip faces the wooden rest arm. Does that allow for enough relief for the bearing to turn freely. I am getting ready to make one but I want to make sure I understand everything before I get started. Also is there anything else I should know before I make mine? Is there any changes I should make?

[@choochoo3985]

Thank you for these video's. However do yourself a favor and run the saw on a separate 20Amp circuit. Safety first.

[@toonybrain]

choochoo3985 I see you’re one of the frequent, annoying, lecturing Safety Nannies commenting on many of the woodworking videos. You need to stop being afraid and start living and making things...

[@خلدونوليد-ذ5ط]

ابداع

[@StephenOgle]

خلدون وليد Thank you sir. Glad you enjoyed this project.

[@denisdapsence5330]

merci

[@StephenOgle]

Thank you very much. Glad you enjoyed this project.

[@ronnie100393]

Where have you been no videos in 6 months ???

[@timothymcswain6235]

I like

[@StephenOgle]

timothy mcswain Glad you enjoyed it my friend and thanks again for all your support.

[@tomcummings3471]

Wow that accent is so cool xD

[@bradbrooks3173]

Stephen I have a old Craftsman lathe and it doesn't have a flat bed it has a pipe now I still need to fabricate a steady rest like this one. Can you come up with an idea for clamping the steady rest on a pipe it's about 2 1/4" or maybe 2 1/2" round. If you to facebook type in Brads Wood Turnings to let me know if you don't mind. Thanks

[@StephenOgle]

Brad Brooks Thanks Brad. I already have an idea I think would work for you. I will try to hit you up on FB. Thank you for all your support.

[@haroldwamsley9651]

I enjoy your wood turning videos, but you really need to make yourself a coping sled I hate to see you lose part of your finger cutting a small piece on the router.

[@alberteinstein9045]

it was looking good until you made those stupid wooden wheels. you can buy hard rubber skateboard wheels with a sealed bearing for next to nothing online.