Get Your Steady Rest Aligned

In this video, I will explain why parts walk out of a chuck during steady rest operations, and share a easy little trick for getting your steady rest aligned properly. Take a look.

[@clayz1]

It is very simple to get your steadyrest dead on! Provided that your workpiece is round and smooth. Chuck the workpiece, position the steady maybe a few inches from the chuck. With the spindle off, adjust your two lower rollers to the work, tighten them in place. Loosen the work in the jaws a little and slide the steadyrest to where you will actually be using it, lock it down. Tighten the chuck jaws. Adjust the top wheel now too. At this point your steady is not set perfectly, but it is good enough for the next step. Turn on the spindle and drill a small center in the face if the work. Spindle off. Back off the three rollers a bit, support the workpiece with a live center. Again adjust the three rollers to the work. Now the steady is set correctly. There is another step to use for workpieces weighing hundreds of pounds or more which involves a cathead to center support the work, or drilling a center prior to loading the work.

[@bgehret3141]

An old machinist once told me he got into the trade because he didn't want to work too hard and he heard that being a machinist involved a "Bed" and "Steady Rest" and that was for him.

[@joepie221]

Love it.

[@ke6bnl]

you have become one of my top 10 machining video mentors out in youtube

[@joepie221]

Thank you for your confidence. Much appreciated.

[@44mod]

I get up in the morning, fix a cup of coffee and start one of your videos. My feet are swollen and my back is worn out but I get excited and say to myself I can do that. I have a reason to go up to my hobby shop and try something new. Thank You Joe for your time and the knowledge you pass on. I pray that God will Bless you with your business, your family and your KZbin videos!

[@joepie221]

Thank you.

[@bernardreeves5028]

I learned something from every one of your vids Joe, but mostly your methods are teaching me to be more considered in my approach to each job. Thanks and keep em coming.

[@duckslayer11000]

Doing the world a great service with your uploads. Thank you

[@kmitchl1]

I always learn something from your videos. I like your analytical approach and the white board sketches.

[@tobydulanski3000]

Absolute Money with this demonstration Joe, Thank You!!!!

[@J800613]

This is one of the best channels for getting to the nuts and bolts and things that aren't always found in books. You break the math down to where a peabrain like me can grasp it! I'd say I've learned more from you and Machining Moments in a few vids than from hours of watching Keith and Adam make chips. Definitely going to be making a gizmo to set up my steadies. And your possible discover about your headstock being misaligned because of the 4 levelling screws got me to thinking about a similar issue I'm having with my Sidney. I cant thank you enough for you videos, please keep them coming!!!

[@joepie221]

It may have also been from the rollers and radius being too forgiving and allowing a few thou of contact to feel too smooth. Feeler gage may have helped that. The top roller was also upside down and I may have marked it incorrectly. The front of the bar was dead on.

[@gunner312]

Enjoying your Videos. I've been a machinist for 40 years and I have taught the techniques you show many times to new machinists and apprentices. Good scoop. Keep it up. Unfortunately today with all the emphasis on CNC, very few machinists are taught the basic skills needed with a manual engine lathe.

[@JeffreyVastine]

I agree. Several years ago I noticed that many of the valuable skills and skill sets which many call "the old ways" were being lost due to advances in technology. It's like we are on a speeding train and the locomotive is scooping up technical advances, but since the train can only hold so much cargo, the conductor in the caboose is throwing overboard all of the old to make room for the new. But what happens when technology fails? So I started a youth outreach that is aimed at getting the inner city and suburban youth off of the streets and come together peacefully and we demonstrate how everyone benefits if they cooperate and work together and create a bright future for themselves regardless of what the economy may do. One aspect is to teach them the old ways starting with how to make their own hand tools and wood, metal, and machine tools from scrap. In the process the learn the skills that were used to start the industrial revolution and more. Some of the youth would like to take the knowledge and experience to other countries and help communities start local manufacturing and build a better life. So there is hope and nothing will be lost. I think this grassroots movement will have a positive effect on the USA too as these were the skills that had once made this country great. Peace!

[@-sparks8155]

Great video, I like your straightforward approach and clear explanations. Your videos will stand as valuable lessons to future generations of machinists, especially if manual work continues to be a dying art in younger generations. I'd like to see more about your lathe alignment techniques, I suspect they'll turn out to be more efficient than many others!

[@bounce2159]

Brilliant video Joe. I'm "self taught" thanks to guys like you.

[@martinjones4776]

Thank you for sharing your experience, slowly working my way through your videos. Every days a school day.

[@lenlobato962]

I got to say you R Da Man. I too have been in this trade for over 30 but 26 was as a tool and die maker so I didn’t do ever day machining but I just recently changed jobs and Now I’m just a machinist ( not by no mean belittling the trade ) so now I’m tightening up my skills and I know when I see a true master man. Good job 👍 and thank you. Lenny. 😜

[@joepie221]

Thanks Lenny.

[@SpencerWebb]

Another useful method, if you have a well-aligned tailstock... Support the part in the steady using the pre-setting method Joe Pi just taught. Then drill a center hole with the tailstock. The center hole will be on center even if there is slight misalignment, because the center drill is stationary and the stock is moving. It will just drill oversize, but that does not matter. Then switch to a center in the tailstock and support the work on the center with the steady rest supports retracted. Then re-set the steady rest supports by touching the work. Now remove the live center and you're as close as you can get. You can also just indicate the center hole, rather than actually supporting it with a center. Thanks for the video, Joe!

[@joepie221]

Good comment. The whole trick is to get it close right up front. The secondary adjustment is very good. Thats usually after the tracking diameter fiasco. Thanks for the comment. After checking, it was a combination of stock size and roller contact that gave me that .005 rise. Still.....1/10 of 1/4 of 1 degree error on a raw setup is not too shabby. Thanks for watching.

[@aubreymatthews1021]

Thank you Joe, for your educational videos on Engineering and machining.

[@WacoA.I.]

Your videos make me wish I had taken shop class in school. If I wasn't too old to start a new career, I would want to become a machinist.

[@springwoodcottage4248]

Such a useful & accurate technique without the need for expensive tools: Lovely learning set into memory for when needed. Thank you!

[@joepie221]

Too many guys just wing it. This is too easy not to remember. Thanks for the comment.

[@troydugstad4759]

Thanks for making these videos Joe. I've watched quite a few of them now, tons of great tips. I really enjoy using your method of thread cutting. Thanks again!

[@natelarue1313]

Great videos, you have a gift to teach. Very helpful for an old guy in a career change.

[@jake3768]

I've gone from a high precision environment to rough ass marine, still try to keep my precision machine skills even when customers often saying "it doesn't matter" and usually 0.020" clearance on bushes , this videos are super helpful and I find myself thinking back to them the when given certain jobs, that setup you have that there is genius, time ive messed about getting long parts bang on without walking out. These skills can be used as much on shop/repair jobs as on brand new parts. Long time sub, rare commentator, many thanks Joe

[@bearsrodshop7067]

Dang it, what a great teaching video for old & young alike. Being on the later end,,this made life simple, Thx Joe, Bear

[@keithrussell8778]

Another great tip Joe, great workmanship, excellent Jack from over the pond UK

[@TomokosEnterprize]

This is great. It took me quite some time to get the rests finally behaving as they should. I could have sure used this lesson oh soooo many years ago. Thanks teach ! Definitely a time for patience and clear thinking.

[@magnusklahr8190]

Thank you for all the great videos.!!!👍. Very educational!

[@BigC799]

Thanks Joe for all the info and great videos!. I've done a lot of prototyping in plastic. Never had to worry much about speeds and feeds beyond the obvious. Got into the live steam hobby (almost all steel, stainless steel and iron) and was rudely awakened by melted tool bits and extremely short tool life. I would love to see a video (for a newbie) on speeds and feeds and how you go about figuring that out.

[@mikemoore9757]

An old timer told me years ago about truing a center drill on the end of a shaft after placing it in a properly adjusted steady rest, by "peeling the center" with your turning tool. It ensures that the previously drilled center is concentric with the new set up. It would of course mean that your carriage would have to be on the right side ( outside ) of the steady rest. By the way buddy, your instructional videos are top drawer! Nobody is ever too old to learn something.

[@bengunn3698]

Thanks for that Joe,always useful knowledge.

[@bheckel1]

true genius. This is the easy answer to my current setup problem. Thanks again. And thank you for keeping me company in the shop.

[@joepie221]

Any time!

[@Decided20]

Joe - You knowledge and practical advice and insights are beyond compare. Your methods and approaches are always so spot-on and practical e.g. V-Block for centering stock - this ...WOW! Thank you for taking the time

[@54hmmwv]

Thank you Mr. Pieczynski! You make machining life so much easier!

[@joepie221]

thats the plan my friend. Stay tuned. ( become a subscriber )

[@rcwarship]

Thank you Joe for taking the time to make/edit/post your great videos. I've learned a lot & really really appreciate them. Subscribed. Thanks Again & Best Regards, Jon

[@aceroadholder2185]

Don't forget to tighten the chuck to backplate screws. I have to be careful when I'm explaining stuff to someone not to forget something. Excellent way to set up a steady rest. If running rough tubing, having the steady rest set to the average diameter is often good enough with slower spindle speeds to be able to face the end of the tube and cut weld champhers. Be sure to have extra rollers when doing this class of work.. they take a beating and will crack if your steady rest is using bare ball bearings for rollers. If you have 2 steady rests you can machine tubing and shafting very much longer than the bed of your lathe. Remove the tail stock and drive the tubing with a spider held in the chuck and the end of the tubing near the head stock may be faced and champhered as required. Don't run the work at high speed. The second steady rest helps stabilize the work and is required once end caps and journal shafts have been welded into the tubing. All the journal turning work is done at the head stock end and the last operation is parting the work off and letting it coast to a stop in the two steady rests.

[@blackout7615]

The info in your videos is amazing. Thanks for high quality, useful, and free info that improves my abilities

[@joepie221]

Glad you like them!

[@aaronshepard3464]

Thats BRILLIANT!!! thanks for showing

[@johnmcdonnell6109]

Another great tip Joe! Thanks!

[@ChrisB257]

Excellent approach Joe - that was a gem. :)

[@userwl2850]

Great explanation how the job can walk out. On large diameter I simply scribe the centre and bring the point of the tailstock and set.

[@georgespeake5089]

As usual very informative and easily translated to my small lathe, as a beginner. Thanks.

[@thatoldbob7956]

Since you asked: if interested type: That Old Bob #10 verifying tailstock alinement. I am enjoying your videos, they are to the point.

[@JB-kw4ug]

Thanks Joe, I had watched this video a while back, and although it was interesting, I never really thought twice about it. I turned something about a week ago using a steady rest and it in fact, tried to walk out of the chuck. My first thought was that I had not tightened the chuck up, and that was that. Tonight I came across your video again and it all came clear. Thanks again, JB in San Diego.

[@joepie221]

Nice. Thanks for the message, I hope the video helped clear thing up a bit.

[@jonpardue]

This is brilliant, it works with collets and materials I have on hand. For the parts I machine, this is better than the specified accuracy with faster setup.

[@richardmckay5102]

Another very informative video. A big thanks Joe from Scotland

[@joepie221]

Thank you.

[@rayfalcone6897]

nice video Joe,thanks for sharing.

[@MrSlickbead]

Great idea Joe!

[@ronpeck3226]

Great Tip! A lot of set techniques is simply exposure. Thanks for the exposure.

[@joepie221]

They all seem very simple once you see them.

[@metalshopwithtroy5755]

Another great video joe Thank you

[@mackellyman5642]

72o, High Tide, and a "slight breeze" to keep the bugs away. Excellent content, as usual.

[@jescheffler]

Thanks Joe! That is one of the best way I've seen to align a steady rest.

[@joepie221]

It gets you right there on the first try. My .005 rise was the diameter of the bar and about .001 too much contact on the initial setup. I checked after the video.

[@stephensarkany3577]

Joe, very interesting to see the way different machinists think. What I do is traverse the carriage with the indicator on the shaft both top & bottom and adjust to suit. That also works well if you have rectangular or square bar with a journal at one end, or same bar with a center sans steady rest. But really, what I usually do is get the bar end adjusted close to the tailstock, start the lathe, touch the bar with the center drill and adjust by eye while testing with the center drill. It may sound crude, or unsafe but it really works well and is expedient. You can always shave the center hole or use a tailstock 4 jaw

[@randyphillips9867]

REALLY like your videos. Very cool things you do.

[@joepie221]

Thanks. Everyday in my shop is usually different. I enjoy my work.

[@gentharris]

GREAT set up trick for lots of things!!

[@ianbertenshaw4350]

Before i would go jumping off a cliff panicking that my lathe was out of alignment i would repeat the process using some precision ground bar and take any variables out of the equation. Joe your video has got me thinking of a dedicated tool with an adjustable rod that could be set with a depth mic and a parallel , maybe not as accurate as gauge blocks but for the average home shop machinists plenty good enough.

[@joepie221]

If you drill your hole at 45 degrees as suggested by Mr. Crispin, you can simply mic over the rod and feeler tip because there will be no inline through hole. just position the mic perpendicular to the main rod, not the feeler rod. Glad the video got you thinking.

[@glmphoto]

Slick. Im gonna get that setup ready to use on my lathe tooling. Thanks

[@DEtchells]

Not only a great tip, but I learned about parts “walking” out of the chuck I’d the steady rest isn’t dead-true. Your vids are *so* informative and useful!

[@joepie221]

Thank you. I try to add value.

[@dare9189]

Nice work Joe!

[@yosmith1]

Great discussion, Joe Thanks for sharing

[@joepie221]

Thanks Neil.

[@kontakt4321]

I've been learning manual machines through videos for quite some time now. I'd love to get into it later, but for now it's a neutral, educational way to entertain myself and get away from all the politics in the air these days. I appreciate your videos for often showing methods that are either more accurate, safer, easier, or all three to methods I see used other places. I just had a younger friend ask where to start, and I sent him here first, because I believe he is least likely to get taught the wrong way first. Thank you for providing complete solutions to individual problems instead of just trying to add a single detail to methods listed elsewhere.

[@joepie221]

Thank you very much for this comment. I've only been at this for 6 months, and I try to pick engaging material. A string of CNC programming videos are in process. If you, or your friend have any specific questions, just ask. Regards.

[@jimhailmann3543]

Joe, please do a tail stock alignment on a lathe . Thanks for all your great videos...

[@raysimon1368]

Hey Joe always enjoy watching your videos I'm retired now but just about everywhere I worked somehow I always got to do most of the maintenance on machines and dialing the headstock in to the ways was something that intimated most of the other machinists I adjusted a colchester that had .008 in 8in until I got it down to .0003 start to finish took 4hrs to do the job the machine was bought new was a professional model with a joy stick that the machinist before me wrecked into the chuck in hi speed rapid trans the foreman didn't think it could be fixed they were fighting the machine running it with all that taper because it was the biggest lathe in the shop and I guess they didn't trust anyone but colchester to fix it

[@gregoryphillips142]

Joe you are the best!

[@dangunit69]

Great approach Joe!

[@workwillfreeyou]

Beautiful machine! Thanks.

[@kirklindstedt2018]

Thanks Joe. I enjoy your help full videos. You have the professional equipment, but your techniques scale down to our home shops.

[@jeffryblackmon4846]

As usual, this is a great lesson. Thanks.

[@joepie221]

Works for me.

[@Hunter333444]

Great video very useful tips thanks again

[@32wallhanger]

Always interesting tips Joe. I usually use a 4 jaw chuck, unless I have access to an adjustable 3 or 6 jaw, for something like what you were showing and then a "cat head" on the outrigger end of the shaft...then with the steady rest positioned where I plan on using it I dial in the shaft, using the cat head, once zeroed I just bring the rollers up to light contact with the shaft. "cathead" for those not familiar is just basically a cup that goes over the end of the shaft, fairly close to the shafts dia. + an inch - nothing, with 4 set screws at 90 degree increments around the circumference (used for dialing the part in) and an end with a center drilled hole in it for the tailstock.

[@mpetersen6]

What a simple and straightforward solution. The technique I was taught was very similiar. But I served my apprenticeship in a large shop with a large amount of material on hand. If working with shafting steel cut a slug off along with the stock for the job. Chuck up the slug and indicate the slug to zero (we used four jaw chucks only). Set the steady rest to the slug and carry on. If no excess material was available machine a piece of stock (usually out of the scrap bin and set it to that). It got to the point I kept a set of slugs of the common sizes we used for pump shafts. The rebuilding of pumps for coolant t systems on machining lines was a constant job due to the coolant getting contaminated even with filtering.

[@joepie221]

I've done that for smaller work, but for 9" stainless its not practical.

[@mpetersen6]

@@joepie221 Well, there are limits.

[@mpetersen6]

@@joepie221 Before the Press Room at the facility I worked at was shut down every so often we would have to make a new clutch shaft. Depending on the press model these were between 5 to 7 ft long. With about a 1/2 hole drilled maybe 2/3rds of the way down. The shafts could be up to 8" in diameter. They definitely went on the table of the Boring Bar before they saw the lathe. Stay cool

[@angelramos-2005]

Excellent video.Thank you.

[@dennisivandominguez5495]

I was hired and will start to work in a machine shop tomorrow. And I was looking for a video to refresh my knowledge and to get some tips. Your videos are great! Thanks lad!

[@joepie221]

Thanks for watching and for your subscription. Much appreciated.

[@harlech2]

I always love you videos.... because Jackie loves me!

[@lennym1273]

Thanks Joe good info, just what I needed to know...

[@richardgalli7262]

Thank you I learned something.

[@michaelschnock3998]

after seeing the solution -- its easy saying " man, thats easy " ;) -- Thanks for great content and great explanations --

[@ellieprice3396]

Well son of a gun, if that ain't the neatest trick! I've had the walking problem with no idea how to correct it until you showed us how. I also like the way you dialed that three jaw in; gotta fix mine like that. Keep 'em coming Joe.

[@joepie221]

Thanks.

[@papahajek5383]

Maybe add a tailstock alignment video if you haven't already. I would be especially interested in any ideas on re aligning a tailstock that has dropped below center due to wear on an older lathe. Thanks, keep up the good work.

[@souhailsaihi1492]

This is very nice of you. Again people liké you continue to lightning thé others with their knowledge and contribute to progress thé humanity. You make me happy with your vidéo. Thanks a lot. I wish you thé b'est of life.

[@joepie221]

Thank you very much. Same to you.

[@jstephenallington8431]

I like it. While it's not the way I do it, I still like your way. Always more than one way to do pretty much everything in the shop!

[@joepie221]

Thats for sure.

[@niltonpolydoro1]

Nice vídeo! I learned many things.

[@joepie221]

Thank you

[@juhavuorinen3945]

Thank you for this video👍

[@philgarbarini9645]

Interesting technique. Will try it my next similar setup. Thanks for sharing.

[@joepie221]

It will get you practically dead on first try. Read some of the comments and look for Mr Crispins feedback. He had some interesting observations.

[@suzannefalcoa5103]

sweet nice job, and explanation on the process.....was easy to understand....

[@joepie221]

Thanks for watching. This can be a real problem if you don't have an idea of why the part keeps moving.

[@mxcollin95]

Thank God for KZbin giving us amateur hobby machinists a fighting chance of success! Lol And as always thank you Joe! 🤙

[@dragonballzohai]

Thanks joe great video .

[@daveflood1555]

Thanks. Useful video for sure. Good VO too.

[@WinkysWorkshop]

I think I must be low tech. Of course I have a small south bend and seldom do anything with a lot of weight but most often I simply indicate the end of the stock that then set the fingers to the work. I've had great success doing this although I will admit, I have never machined stock between the rest and the chuck. Seeing as how my 3 jaw is not adjustable I'm sure I would end up with a slight taper. I can't imagine walking stock out of the chuck. It seems like you'd have to be out a long ways to make that happen. I probably won't use this information but in general I have learned a lot from your videos! Thanks.

[@anilmajmudar4707]

That was really informative, Thanks Anil Majmudar

[@mxcollin95]

That’s a sweet handle you have on your Allen wrench there. 👍

[@mertonsilliker3686]

Excellent solution

[@joepie221]

It will get you extremely close and you don't need scrap parts to mess with.

[@34tab]

thanks - works like a charm

[@theoriginalpauly]

Thanks, Joe! Between the video and the comments I have a couple new ideas to try.

[@keithhansen3963]

Lathe leveling and tailstock zeroing vids for your list would be great. Thanks Joe

[@donpollard9460]

Nice - again! Good advice - I hope to use it on my little LYLAK! .I have an oscillatory axle that I need to machine - it is long enough to need a steady.

[@skeeter50001]

Thanks Joe. Good method.

[@sccolbert]

Nice chuck adjustment handle too!

[@pwpia5461]

Planets aligned ... very important...great job on discussing how the rest can be "not your friend"

[@FABTECH1958]

Great content! made me look at things differently! all Good!

[@pbooth001]

Excellent, thank you.

[@lookcreations]

Handy approach Joe. thanks for covering this. I hope to see a follow up . After our brief exchange of messages I went ahead on my project and managed fine with the steady rest on the bull gear shafts was making , there is some video on my channel showing how I indicated it all in. All the best. Mat

[@tylerdobdob23]

Hello from New Zealand. You produce such great, well explained content. p.s. Jackie loves you.

[@joepie221]

She tells me all the time. Shes my first born daughter.