How To Use a Steady Rest!

Let's learn how to use a steady rest!. Exclusive videos, drawings, models & plans available on Patreon!
/ quinndunki
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[@edwoodworth1659]

Question: Since you are not supper concerned about the concentricity of the live center, couldn't you slide the material back inside the chuck and drill it then move the part out? Thanks for the video.

[@Blondihacks]

Yes you can if the spindle bore is large enough. I’m demonstrating the “worst case” scenario, where you can’t flip the part end for end and it won’t fit through the bore.

[@edwoodworth1659]

@@Blondihacks Thanks.

[@ezzzzie]

@Jaxen Layne whats her @ im telling

[@griffithguns1776]

​@@ellieprice363that's clever thanks for the tip

[@pafurnace]

I have no idea how many of your videos I've watched, but #1 - You are an EXCELLENT teacher. I would need to pay good money elsewhere to learn the things I've learned from you. #2 - I'm sure this is your motivation for doing this, but you have certainly encouraged and motivated me to try new things with my Sherline lathe. I repair clocks and your tutorials have enabled me to make repairs that I would otherwise have needed to farm out to some other source at great (or maybe semi-great) expense. #3 Surely you get this comment a LOT - I really enjoy your sense of humor. It is invaluable because it helps keep me focused on what you're saying. This kind of instruction is often as dry as dust. Not so with you. Thank you very much. #4 I could go on, but I'll stop here. Again, thank you for such very helpful instruction. It is MUCH appreciated.

[@marcj8464]

I'm learning an awful lot about machining for someone who doesn't own any machine tools

[@leslieaustin151]

Marc J Go on! You know you want to... Les in UK

[@mtwagner]

Right there with you, but the temptation is growing...

[@Blondihacks]

That’s how it starts. 😀

[@randynovick7972]

It can be fascinating to learn without the mess or expense of actually having to put this stuff in my garage, frankly. I'm fine with just peering through the window like this.

[@madmat2001]

I work at a company that makes electric motors, 50-5000HP, and watching this and a couple other channels has taught me enough to know that I never want to bid into a machinist job.

[@davedunn4285]

Quinn you are a very good teacher

[@PorchPotatoMike]

“Guten tight”?!?! Love it! On my friend’s old analog torque wrench he had marked on the dial beyond the max rating as “VFT” for Very F***ing Tight.

[@classicbandgeek]

I think that joke's about as old as the machining trade itself. I've heard it from a machinist who served his apprenticeship in Sheffield and worked with a hammer, files, and cold chisel. After he retired, I've been continuing my apprenticeship here in Northern Canada with some "good ol' boys" that live in the bush and they use it too. That's not to say it doesn't make it any less funny though ^_^ That class of fit is only a notch above what the Germans would use on softer materials - neizenteit! (nice and tight)

[@johnyoungquist6540]

One challenge when setting up a steady rest is getting the concentricity set to match the chuck. I put the part in the chuck and initially put the stead rest close to the chuck, I adjust the support arms to gently touch the part, then open the steady rest (mine hinge open) to free it up and then move it down into position near the end of the stock. It might need a little adjustment but at least you are starting pretty close to the chuck center. If the stock is not reasonably round it might still run smooth enough for a facing operation or to make a true running surface. Sometimes I'm just truing up a saw cut on a piece of tubing where nothing is very critical. Some steady rests don't lock in precisely along the bed which adds the challenge of using the method. JY

[@johnyoungquist6540]

​@@dikkybee4003There many ways to apply the steady rest. There is no right or wrong way. There are countless applications for a steady rest that do not require a precise machined rolling surface. Many types of material are good enough as is. Many application don't require great concentricity or stability. Truing a saw cut on a tube is a good example. Some times I use the rest just to support a long piece and prevent whipping while working near the chuck. You can even press a plastic pipe over some square or hex stock to work in a rest. Depending on stock stiffness you can constrain a fairly crooked piece. Let's not forget applications where little or no rotation is involved - like indexing or breaking some assembly loose from a frozen thread. Of course if the ultimate in precision is required then I will proceed accordingly.But I won't chase a piece of muffler tubing to the last tenth so I can dress up the end. I find fault with your method. There are countless applications where it won't work. Some parts can't be drilled for a variety of reasons. You might not have room for the tail stock. It material might be too hard or otherwise un-drillable. If you can successfully center drill the end of a long 1/8 inch diameter rod or tap in a 4 ft long bar and drill it, then you are a magician. If you are working on a valve or pressure vessel drilling will scrap the part. There are plenty of parts where your idea just won't work.

[@ErikBongers]

There is a point to first turning a small surface to run the steady rest on. You want to make sure your stock material is perfectly round underneath the steady rest or your end result won't be perfectly round. How you get that round reference is your (creative) choice.

[@fepatton]

Your scribing of the center reminded me of a standing joke in our house - if my son is cutting a pizza, somebody always asks, “Who wants the center piece?”

[@keithdavis00]

The pace picks up fast after 20+. I love this stuff, but it's getting harder to follow without rewinding or re-watching. Thankfully everything makes perfect sense.

[@jantimbramble7941]

Quinn, I'm starting to see a method to your madness. You did the steady rest rebuild and the cat's head project to set up this video. Now I'm waiting for the day when you pay off on the kitty toothbrush fixture video! :-O Thanks for another enjoyable and educational video.

[@Blondihacks]

I am also waiting for that fixture to be useful. I think we’ll be waiting for a while.

[@traitorouskin7492]

JanTim Bramble I were going to comment the exact same but you did it for me.ta.

[@setSCEtoAUX]

Wow. Cheers and Mad Max 3 references in the first minute. I'm home.

[@AvengerDK]

Maybe she's also been haunted by all those Cheers clips I have been seeing on youtube lately..

[@alwaysbearded1]

The most humorous video I've seen you make. Lots of jokes, no lead balloons. I like that you are giving us lots of methods to choose from before doing your demonstration.

[@craigspakowski7398]

Hi Quinn. Just a note, re cutting a center with the compound set the same as threading will get you a hole with a 120 deg included angle where as a center drill cuts a 60 deg angle . The compound set for threading is 60 deg from the axis of rotation and a center is 30 deg from axis of rotation.

[@shanel4348]

Thanks a lot for this video! As someone fresh out of machining school with very little experience with the steady rest, this really helps to know. I appreciate the verbosity and technicality of your content, and the humor/editing is great! Subscribed!

[@invertedpolarity6890]

Wow. Cheers reference and Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome reference. Killing it today BH.

[@AlessioSangalli]

What was it, I missed it

[@gregfeneis609]

I was surprised at the Cheers theme song reference.

[@DavidPlass]

@@gregfeneis609 Same.

[@todds4101]

Excellent video! I need to get me a steady rest for sure. Had some chatter issues last night. This metal work has been quite the learning curve.

[@TheRadioShop]

As always thanks for the tip Quinn. I found out the importance of a rigid part just today. Try turning a MT2 on a small harbor freight lathe. Found I do not have enough travel on my compound before it looses its rigidity.

[@LimitedGunnerGM]

The theme to cheers and the thunderdome reference. Hilarious.

[@guerillagardener2237]

Thanks for this blondie, I haven't used a lathe in years and of course I've bought a cheap mini lathe.

[@tomhague1162]

Keep up the good work. I'm relearning all the stuff I first learned in grade 10 which was a long long time ago. You make it as interesting as my machine shop teacher did. Thanks a lot.

[@bryans5150]

Hi Quin. Thanks much for taking the time to produce another great video. I really appreciate you sharing your knowledge in an easy to learn fashion. With much advice from you and others on KZbin, I'm now the only employee at work that operates our MASSIVE leblond lathe....properly I might add. Looking forward for the next one!

[@mikecurtin9831]

Thanks for the tip about steadying the tailpiece with the crossfeed. Also, an endmill clocked right works well as a boring bar. Thumbs up to crush a troll.

[@josephcitizen4195]

I'm glad you went thru recentering @ 16:40 . In my mind I always thought of the center of the workpiece as a point. It just clicked that it's the taper that defines the center. Thank You, just subbed.

[@rexmyers991]

Wow! That was VERY informative. Thanks for a clear, succinct explanation.

[@bostedtap8399]

Another excellent Quinn production 🙌. An alternative to using a centre, is a) an inverter cone centre ( think ice cream cone), and b) Tailstock four jaw independent Chuck 🤔🤔🤔🤔😭. Good to see a few non text book techniques. Thanks for sharing and best regards John.

[@traitorouskin7492]

Bosted Tap I've never seen a inverted cone center. Thanks thats intriguing.

[@jimmunger8658]

Enjoyed this very much love your humor while you teach. Bravo.

[@fightfanian]

You have a great channel, you explain things so well and so simply at the same time. Thank you ma'am.

[@matthewphillips1728]

Another great an very informative video with a touch of sarcasm an humour. Love em keep up the great work Quin.

[@kdahm1]

Well done. I'm learning a ton on this video and the delivery is great.

[@malcellison8831]

Very clear explanation with some great touches of humour. Thanks!

[@randynovick7972]

Nice... and very pleasing to watch. Thank you.

[@leroyc179]

9:50 and laths don't mix LOL Love your sense of humor!!

[@madmat2001]

I get a kick out of the auto generated captions. Some days you're Quinton and this is bloody axe, some days it is accurate and today it's "My name is Quinn and this is blondie axe." Gotta love the (in)accuracy of Google's AI bots.

[@matspatpc]

Ade's Workshop apparently gets subtitled as "Welcome to Aids Workshop". ;)

[@thisnicklldo]

Remember, this is the same intelligence that will one day soon take down all of Blondiehack's content for being against youtube policies, thought they won't be prepared to explain why. See Agadmator (a decent and uncontroversial man with an excellent chess channel) getting banned for a chess video that apparently stated that ' in this position, Black is clearly worse'. He was banned by robot, and his immediate (3 minute) appeal was immediately (3 minutes) rejected, also by the robot. Edit: his many fans made a fuss and his video was reinstated after a day or two, though I believe it takes a lot of noise to get youtube to actually get a person to review a banned video).

[@matspatpc]

This is both true and false. Yes, they are both based on AI technology. But it's not the SAME AI framework doing the same exact analysis. One is fairly "simple" in principle of translation from audio to text - and of course goes wrong with words that sound alike, particularly if they are unusual or combined in a way that isn't common. The overall content analysis is quite different, as it tries to detect content that should not be present on YT - violence, weapons, porn, and so on. And while transcribing the audio may well be part if that analysis, it has to also identify the video content with reasonable accuracy. And images are significantly harder to deal with than speech to text (which is also what Google assistant and Siri in Apple products).

[@madmat2001]

@@matspatpc Doesn't alter the fact that Google's AI bots aren't terribly accurate.

[@01thomasss]

Hi Quinn, thanks very much for taking the time to explain the ins and outs of a steady rest. Could you do a similar session on the Traveling Steady?

[@howardosborne8647]

That steady is currently out of use due to C-19 travel restrictions.

[@mikecurtin9831]

Are you talking about a following rest?

[@howardosborne8647]

@@mikecurtin9831 there may be a cause for reporting it as a 'stalker' if it is persistently following. I can optionally mount my 2 point travelling steady on either the leading or trailing edge of the carriage. If it is on the leading edge it is not a following steady but a leading steady. The description in my lathe operator manual lists it as a travelling steady.

[@01thomasss]

@@mikecurtin9831 Probably... the one that is fastened to the carraige.

[@apachesmokemachining6487]

Another great video, learned something new today 👍🏻

[@juliejones8785]

You mentioned needing extra relief clearance when using a single point cutter to work on the center. This is a good reason to keep a couple of very small lathe tools, such as 1/4" even if you normally use 1" tools with your lathe.

[@anthonybruno4424]

Bravo on the cheers reference, well done!

[@markwatters6875]

Thanks for another great video Quinn. All the best from Australia

[@richards6452]

How succinct, you are a legend!

[@denniswilliams8747]

handy tyool to make is a roller pusher. I made mine with a cheap ball bearing mounted on a 1/2" mild steel bar. Mount the roller pusher in a tool post and bring the roller into contact with the work. This will bring the runout under control so a center drill will be very close to the correct center. Thanks for the vids

[@dalejones4186]

Like the song reference in the beginning. Great information Quinn. Thanks

[@ironhorse1888]

I have a steady for my S.B. 13" that came with the machine. I made one for my Logan 10" Your video will help a bunch the next time I use a steady. I like the center drill method. I've had problems with that in the past. Thank you very much.

[@RelentlessHomesteading]

Great episode -- loved the tips here !! 😎😎

[@LittleAussieRockets]

You do a great job explaining the why's. Thanks 👍

[@britishreaction54]

Another one of your videos that I will now use as reference material.

[@mxcollin95]

Learned a lot. Great video!

[@shaunadams2143]

Very well explained have learnt something today thanks . I also sharpen H.S.S tooling as you suggested very easy and a great finish to boot thanks kind regards Shaun

[@metalshopwithtroy5755]

Hey quinn loved it ❤ good video thanks for sharing

[@peterberry5027]

I am impressed great videos , love the commentary , the German standard of gut and tight , i laughed at that well done keep it going cheers

[@georgecurtis6463]

Wow ! I actually understood everything. Thanks !

[@HanstheTraffer]

Thanks Blondilocks. That was an extremely informative video for noobs like me. You rock baby!

[@bobblack3870]

Outstanding detail.

[@beachboardfan9544]

You have the best tips!

[@donbaker9373]

Learn something every day. Enjoyed video. Shame I have to learn from a girl fifty years my junior. You have great personality and knowledge, let the world enjoy. oldmandonnie

[@martinpanev6651]

Now I bought a steady rest for my little sherline! I also got the thirteenth comment! Awesome video Blondihacks! Keep it up.

[@Armedlegally]

Looking at the handful of comments from almost a year ago NOBODY got the opening reference to CHEERS!! QUINN let me tell you I for one NOTICED!! Thank you for another "Easter Egg" filled video!

[@lookcreations]

Stopped by to catch up and picked up a couple of tips 👍 All the best Mat

[@wayneleary4204]

cracking tutorial well done lass🥰🥰

[@WayneCook306]

I do like your videos and I'm learning a lot as well thank you.

[@MattysWorkshop]

Gday Quinn, some very valuable and helpful tips there for sure, thank you

[@BLECHHAUS]

As a factory mechanic by trade I'd like to say - very well explained. Besides, another tool for centerpunching the end of a round stock is a "bell punch".

[@abdullahshiekh4687]

you surprised me every time I love it

[@DavidPlass]

Great how you showed so many ways to drill a center. And now I know how to use that weird square that I picked up.

[@glen2844]

I also use the German torque standards. I was a mechanic for years and guten-tight works for most fasteners. That made me chuckle.

[@robn2497]

I like the vernier standard "very near"

[@metalshopwithtroy5755]

Sorry I missed this one Quinn. Luuuuuvvvv your videos. Since you live in Canada your always welcome here in Adelaide Australia it's nice and warm here during your winter. 👍👍👍 oh I see I forgot and watched it again. Hope you get paid for the extra. I'm only 57 but maybe the dementia setting in haha lol. Take care

[@firebird8600]

Yay Blondihacks!!! [Sorry I'm late... got suckered into working today]

[@Rollie396]

Round 1...fight. Lol I use that one after coffee breaks on a particularly tough day.

[@bulletproofpepper2]

Thanks for sharing

[@viniciuscordeiro6073]

Great tip, very didactic! thanks for posting this video, (miss the cat on the edition).

[@darlingwood]

Thank you very much for your knowledge

[@tomasclasson]

Excellent tutorial! I've just been looking for a steady rest, (ignorantly) thinking that a travelling/following steady rest would be more useful... Now I know to get one of these fixed ones! Thanks! But I still would like to see a video on how to use a following rest.

[@tobyw9573]

Quinn, thanks for the intelligent lessons, humor, and observations! It occurred to me that it may be more efficient that it may be a time saver to use the layout method to locate and drill centers, then use the center on the tailstock end to make a roughing cut suitable for chucking and a bit more, then reverse the ends and repeat, while completing the roughing cut for the whole length, then complete the original work you intended to cut. Then make appropriate notes on the remainder and file the cut off in your sized bins. A time comparison between methods would make a good show segment.

[@DEtchells]

Cool trick with the tool post and tail chuck to recut the center!

[@paulmorrey733]

Thanks Quinn

[@shaynemackey3614]

Good job on the vid

[@JBFromOZ]

Very cool thanks for this mate

[@mduvigneaud]

At about 10:35, yeah... keep your squishy digits away from what's essentially a roller mill! Those are a very effective method of turning things into a very fine paste.

[@aceroadholder2185]

The danger is exacerbated with an open sided steady rest. For any style steady rest the larger it is the more careful you have to be. Rags, long sleeves, etc., are a real hazard. They can jerk you into the rollers in a blink of an eye. A small plastic shield might be useful on the steady rest used here just to make sure you don't get your fingers near the really exposed pinch point. Be your own safety officer. Cheers from NC/USA

[@mduvigneaud]

@@aceroadholder2185 I've seen a video of someone getting yanked into a printing press... :( I wish it hadn't happened and I wish I could unsee it. :(

[@hymeldgaignard6444]

You are a very smart lady a joy to listen to and your diction perfect, along with your humor. How do I contribute to your survival?

[@Blondihacks]

Thank you very much! The best way to ensure my survival is: www.patreon.com/join/QuinnDunki

[@coiledspringofapathy]

Cheers for that!

[@pauldevey8628]

Im glad you are on the amateur machinist side and not some evil group in the universe.

[@scharkalvin]

The look on your face during the beverage container ad was like you had just drunk from the wrong one (cutting oil). :-)

[@Blondihacks]

That was the joke, yup. 😬

[@scharkalvin]

@@Blondihacks Love your sense of humor!

[@dgoode-ys3nx]

Love my comfortable Blondihacks Shirt XO

[@Blondihacks]

Excellent! Thanks for the purchase!

[@dgoode-ys3nx]

@@Blondihacks I like Quinn

[@HanstheTraffer]

Wow ...re-cutting a center ....priceless!

[@Reach41]

I made one from scratch for my Sherline CNC mill that uses a rotary table for the 4th axis. Came here to learn how to use it.

[@go4peace467]

Cheers quinn.

[@michaelrandle4128]

Hi from U.K., good vid, have you tried machining the surface for the steady rest up against the chuck where its concentric and has stability then flipping the piece round end to end, works for me. Thanks for the vids, always informative and well produced.

[@rogueart7706]

Great idea thanks.

[@jackheath6623]

cool video. for me a steady is a must no matter the size of your lathe.

[@richardhunter607]

Something else to keep in mind when using a steady rest with bearings on the fingers. Is when the diameter of your part is larger than the diameter of the bearings it is easy to overspeed the bearings. Don't ask how I know this.

[@Youtubeforcedmetochangemyname]

How do you know this

[@richardhunter607]

@@KZbinforcedmetochangemyname I said don't ask, but remember what you're seeing may not be coolant mist but smoke.

[@MrJoeGarner]

I need to look up your video on improving your steady rest

[@metal2]

great video ty

[@alextourangeau1008]

The German standard... Truly excellent!

[@Fatamus]

Sorry I haven’t been by I’ve been super busy getting Caterpillars running. I know I’ll catch up this winter. Then I’ll bug you until you’re sick of me. Lol 😁 great subject I’ll watch whin I’ve got the time to give it the attention it deserves. Thanks

[@Blondihacks]

Glad to have you back! Caterpillars are very important machines! 😁

[@tnekkc]

This is really, "How to make a video of the highest quality."

[@ronaldsnell1503]

You are awesome 👏

[@mostlymotorcycles.]

Man, I just hate it when the magic runs out 😂

[@AlessioSangalli]

It is the second video I see out of this channel and it's a very interesting approach, that goes into the theory while showing the practice, very good. May I ask, what is the source of your knowledge, it was school, independent research on textbooks, practice at work...?

[@madnessbydesign1415]

I am a total novice, but I wondered - could you use a cat's head for round stock, eliminating the need to center drill and machine the first cut by giving you an already machined surface? I'm sure there's a reason not to do this, but I am a simple creature... :)

[@KathrynLiz1]

If you have to put the steady on a finely finished surface (even blued gun steel) a good trick is to take a small strip of abrasive paper (360 grit silicon carbide paper is good), oil the smooth side and put that side to the work between the work and the steady jaws. The abrasive keeps the paper in place (yes, it never comes out!) and the oiled backing will not mar the work. It won't work with rollers possibly, haven't tried it, my Boxford's rest has cast iron jaws, but happily with screw adjusters..... with the paper you can be quite firm with the pressure.... I have used this technique on gun barrels a lot when the muzzle needs to be re-crowned or threaded and the butt end of it is too big for the spindle and never marred the fine blued finish...... works a treat... running the work between centres works really well too for initial alignment... Yes... I HAVE put the rest on the wrong side a few times! LOL

[@dlfabrications]

Cheers!!!

[@skypatrol716]

I lost concentricity and fell asleep. I'll bring an apple next week😳

[@kensherwin4544]

This way you can watch it twice and get full enjoyment both times. Yay for you!

[@alskdjfhg3712]

So I work in the rotating equipment repair work. Biggest work we work on in our shop was 36,000 lbs. We have lathes up to 80" swing. They way we set up steady rests. Its by putting a rigid mag base on the rotor touching the chuck. And you rotate the part around and jack the jaws around till the indicator reads true.