How To Use a Steady Rest!

[@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.

[@ajsiemers]

Man, I'm learning so much from these videos. I was a total lathe-noob a few days ago, but already I think I'm eventually able to build a spaceshuttle with the minilathe I just bought! Thanks, this great stuff!! (although I must admit that the quick and dirty trick was something I already posessed in other situations, I'm quite able to extrapolate such things)

[@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.

[@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.

[@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.

[@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!

[@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.

[@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.

[@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?”

[@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!

[@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

[@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.

[@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

[@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!

[@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.

[@cornflake3344]

Another great tutorial el blonde ! This monkey see monkey do explanation is sensational to see and hear. Many a sharp tool you have saved for so many a fella on many machine moves , thats a all American young traditionalist if i ever have seen one ,and i should know ive followed a few , i hope god has a Lathe,that would turn out nice

[@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

[@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.

[@samvillanueva8778]

Best channel out there! Thank you!

[@guerillagardener2237]

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

[@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.

[@matthewphillips1728]

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

[@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.

[@davedunn4285]

Quinn you are a very good teacher

[@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.

[@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.

[@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.

[@gndinkins]

My 7 x 14 lathe is a pain to turn the compound rest handle. I have seen several ways to help. Drill attachments in the form of forks and "T" handles are good. But my lathe only has one extension on the crank. After thinking about this for a time I got to thinking.... How many of the small grinders I have trashed for failed switches and worn gears, maybe 4 or 5. Well, it came to mind about where I put those old screw in handles. I found one and examined it. Hollow inside and 1/4" screw. I took it to the band saw and cut it down to a useable length. Put it in the lathe and turned the flange down. I then notched it to fit the cross bar on the handle. With a little tinkering I soon had a useable crank adapter for the battery drill that was plastic and would no score the cross-slide handle. Try it, you will like it.

[@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.

[@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.

[@DEtchells]

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

[@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

[@dalejones4186]

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

[@johncuthbertson2565]

I'm new to all this and what you put up is incredibly useful to me 🙏. Thank you so much.

[@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.

[@kdahm1]

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

[@fightfanian]

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

[@markwatters6875]

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

[@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.

[@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.

[@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.

[@martinpanev6651]

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

[@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..

[@britishreaction54]

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

[@lookcreations]

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

[@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

[@HansFormerlyTraffer]

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

[@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"

[@malcellison8831]

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

[@anthonybruno4424]

Bravo on the cheers reference, well done!

[@pauldevey8628]

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

[@randynovick7972]

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

[@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.

[@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. :(

[@jimmunger8658]

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

[@jackheath6623]

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

[@firebird8600]

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

[@LimitedGunnerGM]

The theme to cheers and the thunderdome reference. Hilarious.

[@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".

[@rexmyers991]

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

[@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.

[@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

[@RelentlessHomesteading]

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

[@wayneleary4204]

cracking tutorial well done lass🥰🥰

[@chilliconcarne8828]

Hello Quinn, thank you for your beautifully instructive videos and your sense of humour. I own a very small mini lathe for just a couple of days and it has no steady rest at all. But I'm nevertheless wondering about prevention of accidents ( "machines are trying to kill you!"). Wouldn't it help to turn the steady rest around so that its opening faces to the backside of the lathe? I can imagine that by this means it might be much harder to get your fingers in between the rollers and the rotating bar. The whole arrangement seems symmetrical to me, so that the orientation of the steady rest should be reversible, - I might as well be wrong.

[@Blondihacks]

It is not reversible

[@joecerami7914]

I am beginning the process of learning to operate a lathe. I have found your video series very beneficial and entertaining. My question is, while setting up the steady rest would it be best to have the steady rest placed towards the head stock but not yet contacting the stock while you turn the exterior circumference between centers. Then once you have that turned swath set the steady rest in place and adjust the figures while still between centers to keep your concentricity? Then back off the tail stock and begin work.

[@leroyc179]

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

[@apachesmokemachining6487]

Another great video, learned something new today 👍🏻

[@georgecurtis6463]

Wow ! I actually understood everything. Thanks !

[@MrJoeGarner]

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

[@mxcollin95]

Learned a lot. Great video!

[@richards6452]

How succinct, you are a legend!

[@viniciuscordeiro6073]

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

[@bulletproofpepper2]

Thanks for sharing

[@WayneCook306]

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

[@bobblack3870]

Outstanding detail.

[@kenpodolsky4044]

I'm in Canada, I think you are also, wondering if there is a store other than Amazon to pick up something like the jax blueing fluid(or a similar product) I have tried KMS TOOLS and BUSY BEE not sure where else to try. Thanks for your help

[@craigspakowski7398]

Caswell canada is where I got mine. But cabelas has it in the gun cleaning section. Not the jax brand but both of these work. Also try kbc tools.

[@LittleAussieRockets]

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

[@paulmorrey733]

Thanks Quinn

[@beachboardfan9544]

You have the best tips!

[@nicholasdautel1228]

Did you make your own steady rest bearing support rollers? Mine came with the solid brass inserts with a point and thinking that the roller bearing would be far more superior.

[@Blondihacks]

I did! I made a three part series on rebuilding this steady rest. Check it out in my playlists

[@MattysWorkshop]

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

[@dgoode-ys3nx]

Love my comfortable Blondihacks Shirt XO

[@Blondihacks]

Excellent! Thanks for the purchase!

[@dgoode-ys3nx]

@@Blondihacks I like Quinn

[@abdullahshiekh4687]

you surprised me every time I love it

[@HansFormerlyTraffer]

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

[@alextourangeau1008]

The German standard... Truly excellent!

[@billbaggins]

Ooooh, cool banana. That all made perfect logical sense without having to strain my brain cell. Can you please do a vid on turning thin stock. eg I have some brass rod at 2.54mm dia that I need to be 2.5mm in lengths of about 20mm. Am I better to do multiple cut and part operations or is there some voodoo that will allow making a single operation to get a 200mm length? Current method is putting it in a drill and using wet/dry to reduce ( very slowly) dia. 😺⚙️

[@Blondihacks]

Good idea for a video! Will do

[@billbaggins]

Excellent 👍 On the beverage insulation device.. will you be doing a 'cheap foam' version too? The stainless one might be a bit big to fit in the cup holder on the odd occasion when I definately don't partake of a traveller on the way home. 😁

[@SmashiusClay]

Maybe I missed something, but if you have to remove your tail stock to work on longer parts, how do you then use a centre? In that case would it be best to machine a surface near to the Chuck and then flip the part over to create a round surface far from the Chuck?

[@williammeyer9616]

is it possible, since lathes " make everything for machining" to make a hinged follow rest out as a project?

[@terrinewman9122]

Quinn,whats the difference between this and a follower rest?

[@darlingwood]

Thank you very much for your knowledge

[@bmlennox]

could you just use a live center instead of the steadyrest? or does the live center not have enough rigidity?

[@montynorth3009]

Would it help to drill out the original centre drill pilot hole slightly larger to provide pilot clearance when re-centring?

[@Blondihacks]

It wouldn’t- as soon as the center drill contacts the old surface, it will run out again

[@Wyllie38]

The ring spanner your use for your tool post is single ended correct ? Did you buy that like that or have you cut the other end off to make it ? If so where did you get it. I’m looking for a set of these type of single ended ring spanner’s that’s don’t cost the earth. Failing that I’ll buy an inexpensive set and “modify” them myself.

[@Blondihacks]

I cut a cheap wrench down to make that

[@Wyllie38]

@@Blondihacks I thought so * looks for grinder *

[@dauntlessendeavors1000]

Enjoyed your video. At 16 minutes, when single-point cutting the center, you have the compound swung at 30-degrees like you would for threading. Wouldn't that create a 120-degree included angle in the center? Shouldn't you have the compound swung to 30-degrees off the spindle axis to create a 60-degree included angle? Maybe I'm seeing it wrong on the video. Thanks.

[@JohnsOrganWorks]

I thought so too. It's pretty obvious the angle isn't right. (But otherwise an excellent video. )

[@raulmartinez7730]

Question: Could you make a rifle chamber with that kind of lathe? I mean precisely using the steady rest I know you need more torque but it would be a good challenge.

[@repairtech9320]

Is it possible to mount some kind of chuck big enough on the tail side?

[@mikecurtin9831]

Just about anything's possible as long as the time and money hold out. A reasonable question, but there are a couple of problems with that approach. A steady rest is a lot cheaper and easier to set up than a second chuck would be. The other problem with a second chuck is that you don't have access to the end, so it's like an expensive live center.

[@madnessbydesignVria]

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... :)