Making a Lathe Steady Rest - Lockdown challenge

#woodturning #lathe #lockdownproject
My name is Jim Overton, welcome to my channel.
Thanks for watching.
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Disclaimer
Woodturning and making things is potentially dangerous!
I always recommend getting lessons with a professional before trying a new hobby, learn how to do things safely.
My videos are designed for entertainment and to give viewers creative ideas.
The way I work is not necessarily the best or safest way to work!
Please be responsible for your own safety and for those around you.
Please follow all instructions and safety procedures and wear personal protective equipment.
Wear a visor and a respirator dust mask when required, treat all dust as hazardous.
Be safe, be creative and enjoy your hobby.

[@MikeWaldt]

Great video Jim. The one I made was going to be superseded by a better looking one ... never did it as the original is still going strong, and made taller twice! Take care and stay safe Mike PS - Thanks for the mention 🙂

[@JimsonMakes]

Thanks mate. If ain’t broke don’t fix it. I think I bought the wheels after seeing your original video. Stay safe my friend. Cheers Jim

[@cassandro01]

That’s brilliant. Nice job

[@JimsonMakes]

Thank you very much 👍🏼 Cheers Jim

[@gregdownunderinOz]

Really great video and instructions Jim. I really liked your easy style of talk and planning fit out. Your design ideas are very intuitive and the lathe bed locking system is the best I’ve seen. Thanks for sharing

[@JimsonMakes]

Thank you very much Greg, glad you like it

[@gregdownunderinOz]

@@JimsonMakes I’ll make one very similar to what you made.

[@Ringelsocke.]

Hi! Handmade things are the best! 👌🏻

[@JimsonMakes]

They sure are, mor satisfying and a lot cheaper. Cheers Jim

[@Ringelsocke.]

@@JimsonMakes I know, I'm into sewing. But I love all the wood stuff! 😊

[@THEAPRILFOOL-1983]

Keep up the amazing work

[@JimsonMakes]

Thank you very much Cheers Jim

[@alanmullock381]

Brilliant Jim,built like a tank!👍👍👍👍👍👍👍😲😲😲😲😲

[@JimsonMakes]

Thank you very much Alan, I have certainly put it through its paces today.👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼 Cheers Jim

[@stevefromlondon9175]

Nice work great job out of cuts Regards Steve UK London

[@glencrandall7051]

For coming up with something useful using just bits and pieces from the shop I do believe you have done quite well. It's interesting that you have had the wheels for several years because I too bought wheels several years ago and I have yet to use them. Maybe now it the time. Thank you for sharing and stay healthy.

[@JimsonMakes]

Thank you very much Glen. Now is the time to get these projects done. Stay safe Cheers Jim

[@baconsoda]

That's a good job Jim, and coming in at a great price too.

[@JimsonMakes]

Thank you very much Brendan, less than a tenner ! Have you seen the price of the factory made versions. Cheers Jim

[@garytindale4664]

That looks great Jim. I look forward to videos where you make use of it.

[@JimsonMakes]

Thank you very much Gary, I have a piece mounted in it on the lathe at this moment, video coming soon if I don’t mess it up. Cheers Jim

[@mitsukowalker5831]

Really green with envy here...I've had the, almost, same plan for a steady-rest for more years than I can count. You did a bang-up job with yours! I especially like the bolts on the bottom, under the ways...that keep the steel clamps from rotating as you tighten them. Good job! Stay really healthy. Hope your PM recovers well and soon!!!!!

[@JimsonMakes]

Thank you very much, I was very pleased with how the bolting mechanism worked out. I think Boris is now stable. Stay safe Cheers Jim

[@lloyd4768]

Great job! Now I guess it's time I get to work and make one for my lathe as well...

[@JimsonMakes]

Thank you very much, now is the time Cheers Jim

[@bertdelisle393]

Very well done Jim, simple, strong and very functional. Those hold bars with stops is a great idea, thanks for that I will be making those for my steady rest, which closely resembles yours. One thing I found out by doing on one project , to swap one steady leg around to allow a smaller shaft to be supported, with three wheels on the same side there is a limit to the small diameter that can be supported before the wheels contact each other, but by swapping one wheel leg around the smaller spindle shaft can be supported by two wheels under and one wheel above. I only had to do it once but it worked perfectly. Stay safe and keep on turning. Cheers from Canada, Bert.

[@JimsonMakes]

Thank you very much Bert and thanks for that tip. Stay safe. Cheers Jim

[@TokyoCraftsman]

I'm in my workshop here in Tokyo and I'm turning a bunch of Oak that I got back in April, it's bloody hard wood, (Who knew? LOL) I need a steady rest, and I found your video, this looks like a great design, thanks for the video! Cheers from Tokyo! Stu PS Subbed

[@JimsonMakes]

Thank you very much for subscribing. I am very pleased with the steady rest, it works very well, very stable.

[@booyaa1851]

Nice build Jim, now wanting to see all those steady rest projects 😉👊

[@JimsonMakes]

Thank you very much, I have a great project on it as we speak. Cheers Jim

[@coltaylor5878]

That's going no where Jim solid as! mate you can tell your in lock down I can't keep up watching your videos. I think any wood turner would be well pleased with your steady rest. Thanks for sharing Kind Regards Col

[@JimsonMakes]

Thank you very much Col. making the videos is what is keeping me sane. I have been in my my workshop or editing almost 9 to 5 every day. Cheers Jim

[@mountainviewturning5319]

Very nice project 👍

[@JimsonMakes]

Thank you very much 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼 Cheers Jim

[@LisaRansom1211]

Great piece of kit & I’m sure it will last a long time. All the best & I’ll be stuck indoors watching all sorts of wood turning videos & the like. Regards to Mrs Jim & hope you all stay safe too. LR 👍🏻

[@JimsonMakes]

Thank you Lisa. The steady rest works brilliantly, I will hopefully have a video out later today showing it in action. Cheers Jim

[@geraldb2656]

Very good job 👍

[@JimsonMakes]

Thank you very much

[@gabrielc6252]

12:15 that is a very ingenious design :)

[@JimsonMakes]

Thank you very much, glad you like it Cheers Jim

[@elainehoward8822]

Hi Jim it may have taken you a while, but you did a great job, and I’m sure it will get plenty of use in the workshop xxxx

[@JimsonMakes]

Hi Elaine, thank you very much, it has been in use today, hopefully a video coming soon if I don’t mess it up. Cheers Jim

[@guitarpunk200]

I just made a steady rest last week to! What a coincidence! But yours looks WAY better than mine!

[@JimsonMakes]

Now is the time to get these projects done. Many thanks for watching Cheers Jim

[@TheGlenOfDoom]

So, my lathe is a 14 inch swing... which means, I assume that 14 inch is the largest circle I can have... but you then cut the bottom of your circle flat to mount to the base. Does this mean I should cut the outside circle to 14 1/2? Also, is there a rule to how thick the full circle should be? Meaning.. two inches from outer circle to inner? Just trying to keep safe. Really amazing video, exactly what I was looking for today. Thank you

[@JimsonMakes]

Thank you very much. I think that you have to accept that you cannot turn to the lathes full capacity when using a steady. as regards to thickness, I tend to over engineer everything. the thicker the better, stronger and less vibration.

[@dawnmason9558]

What is a Kerf Jim? I've never heard that before.I love the tech talk about different bits but dont have a clue which is what & what it does. I'm learning lol Great job building it maybe we will get more little person visits.

[@JimsonMakes]

Thank you very much Dawn. Kerf is the gap that a cut leaves, usually applied to saw cuts. A scroll saw with a fine blade would have minimal kerf but a large circular saw would have a large kerf. We are struggling to keep little one amused in these difficult times, she is craving the company of other children. Cheers Jim

[@bobstertern-gill4442]

What is the out side diameter

[@JimsonMakes]

Sorry , I can't remember but I think it was approximately 60cm

[@WoodWizardrybyColin]

Brilliant design Ive been wanting to make one for a while for my small lathe

[@JimsonMakes]

Thanks Colin, it is still going strong

[@dengudomlige8644]

A great job and it´s always fun to have just enough bits and pieces to finish the project. Lockdown must be much worse than having to go shopping for a few missing parts. Sweden isn´t there yet, but I guess it´s coming, we will see if the "Swedish experiment works" Hopefully you will be locked out when we get locked in, that would be fair anyway. Happy Easter!

[@JimsonMakes]

Thank you very much Den. I can cope with lockdown if I stay busy. It was very satisfying to find all the parts I needed. Happy Easter and stay safe Cheers Jim

[@daviddavies6844]

Hi. JIM GREAT STUFF.ALWAYS WANTED ONE MYSELF... PERHAPS NOW I CAN HAVE AGO...DAVID..

[@JimsonMakes]

Thank you very much David, well worth making. Cheers Jim

[@iblong9505]

Not showing it in action triggered my OCD. Dont worry. I'm ok. Just post a follow-up and everything will be cool

[@JimsonMakes]

Sorry about that, my next video should show it in all its glory. Many thanks for watching Cheers Jim

[@TheMessyStudio]

Nicely built steady rest, Jim! Billy

[@JimsonMakes]

Thank you very much Billy Cheers Jim

[@twooldguyswithcrossbows5170]

Looks great 👍🏻 I may need to build one!

[@JimsonMakes]

Thank you very much, I am hopefully showing it in use on the next project. Cheers Jim

[@dawnmason9558]

Maybe now you have time you can build Nev Jnr? Hope you & all your family are well& stay safe.

[@JimsonMakes]

You never know. Stay safe Cheers Jim

[@vjgrevem]

Nicely done, Jim, but it looks like it could use a Milliput inlay somewhere. ;)

[@JimsonMakes]

Thank you very much, maybe I could add a Milliput logo😉 Cheers Jim

[@earljtharp]

About 4 years ago I also bought those very same wheels on eBay and also never got around to it. Ok. I gotta do it now.

[@JimsonMakes]

go for it

[@yeagerxp]

Excellent work👍👍👍. Thanks for sharing.

[@JimsonMakes]

Thank you very much 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼 Cheers Jim

[@BobBlarneystone]

usually, I use the drill press to tap. And using a tap follower makes it even easier.

[@JimsonMakes]

Many thanks for watching, yes I have used the drill press in the past but it is awkward filming my drill press. I only have a cheap set of taps and dies, only 1 tap for each size. Cheers Jim

[@marklengal9990]

Great job. May be my next project. How do I know what size to make it?

[@JimsonMakes]

Thank you very much Mark, the size will largely depend on the size of your lathe, just make it as big as possible, the internal radius will end up an inch or so shorter than the mx swing of your lathe

[@SteveC38]

Thank You Jim, well done👍

[@JimsonMakes]

Thank you very much Steve👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼 Cheers Jim

[@BenNawrath]

Did I miss it? How did you cut the slots in the ring for the arms?

[@JimsonMakes]

I would have used a router. Many thanks for watching

[@williamellis8993]

Great design, Jim, and congratulations on finally making it. Now I'm waiting to see you use it. Stay safe. Bill

[@JimsonMakes]

Thank you very much Bill, it is on the lathe now !! Steep learning curve on this current project . Stay safe Cheers Jim

[@baloo021063]

nice work Jim I like the cam idea underneath cheers Ross

[@JimsonMakes]

Thank you very much Ross, yes the cam is proving popular.👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼 Cheers Jim

[@espr7564]

Looked on your shop Jim, nothing to buy right now ? ☹

[@JimsonMakes]

I will be listing some things on my shop once all this Coronavirus has departed. Many thanks for watching Cheers Jim

[@tomsawyer247]

Another nice project Jim

[@JimsonMakes]

Thank you very much Tom Cheers Jim

[@JohnClothier]

Really interesting build Jim. I, like you, bought some wheels for this a couple of years back and still not done it! I really liked what you did with the system to lock it to the lathe. really ingenius!

[@JimsonMakes]

Thank you very much John. The locking system seems to be very popular, it works well. Cheers Jim

[@turnedbysean2023]

Nice project!

[@JimsonMakes]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@ВладимирБогданов-й9ш]

Грамотно сделано

[@JimsonMakes]

Спасибо👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼

[@AndyCPugh]

Nice job Jim.

[@JimsonMakes]

Thank you very much Andy👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼 Cheers Jim

[@tavraney3289]

You listen to No Agenda you sound familiar. ITM

[@JimsonMakes]

Ok will do. Many thanks for watching Cheers Jim

[@tavraney3289]

@@JimsonMakes sry meant to asked you do? People send in clips and you and your kid sounds just like them

[@JimsonMakes]

Ok I will take a look when I get a moment

[@Sludgepump]

Fabulous Jim! Loved it... Really chuckled when you let on about the three remaining lock washers and bolts. :) I bought four really nice second hand roller blade skates for just this purpous some time ago... I better get busy! Thanks for the amazing videos in these harder times. You stay safe too. All the best to you and your family my friend.

[@JimsonMakes]

Thank you very much my friend. Now is the time to get these projects done. All the best to you and yours too. Stay safe Cheers Jim

[@HodgePodgeWoodWorks]

Very nice! Love the camlocks to keep the metal bars in order when you loosen/tighten it to the lathe.

[@JimsonMakes]

Thank you very much, yes the camlocks work well. Cheers Jim

[@SilverBack.]

Jim do you have any size's ??

[@JimsonMakes]

Sorry Douglas I didn’t make plans, I just made it as big as I could with what I had but I think the inner diameter was approx 14 inchs and the thickness of the ring was 2 inches x 2.5 inches. The ash arms were approx 45mm x18mm. It will largely depend on the size of your lathe. Many thanks for watching Cheers Jim

[@SilverBack.]

@@JimsonMakes Thank you for the help

[@AllenORourke1954]

Just for the record Jim, I'm a retired engineering turner and the correct name for this is a centre steady; referred to as just a steady, great job though...

[@JimsonMakes]

Thank you very much, Centre steady it is !👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼 Cheers Jim

[@MarkMcCluney]

Those cam stops are very ingenious. Did it take a long time to get the positioning right? Cheers mate, stay healthy!

[@JimsonMakes]

Thank you very much Mark. I marked the 90 degree position and the “folded” position with a pencil line and drill where they intersected, I was lucky and got it right first time. You only need one stop for each cam. Stay safe my friend Cheers Jim

[@woodturningwithDave]

Very well done Jim,it looks really heavy duty. Keep safe

[@JimsonMakes]

Thank you very much Dave, it will hopefully stand the rigours of my turning. Stay safe Cheers Jim

[@alansimpson596]

Great project, Jim and put together with your normal ingenuity. As for myself, I bought a wide natural edge board of ash about five years ago to make into a coffee table. Due to the lockdown, and much to my wife's pleasure, I'm now finishing it off. Stay safe and this too will pass.

[@JimsonMakes]

Thank you very much Alan. Yes now is the time to get all these jobs done, I just wish it was under different circumstances. We have to make the most of our time and stay busy. Stay safe my friend Cheers Jim

[@gavincoyle]

Great job Jim, I have always wanted one of these but couldn't afford to buy the ones online and don't have the setup to make one so after lockdown is over and you fancy making another one i am interested and would be very grateful 😁😁😁👍👍👍

[@JimsonMakes]

Thank you very much Gavin. Unfortunately I won’t be making another one any time soon😂 Cheers Jim

[@tompuskar4426]

Nice design Jim, I had made one a few years ago--not sure whose plans I followed. Nowhere near as stable as yours! I need to look into an upgrade using some of your techniques. If there is a bright side to this pandemic, it is that we are all getting m ore shop time! Keep safe and enjoy the time off. Happy holidays.

[@JimsonMakes]

Thank you very much Tom. We need to embrace life and make the most of our time on this planet, even if the circumstances are less than desirable. Stay safe my friend. Cheers Jim

[@johnpbh]

What a great project. The cam stops on the bottom was a genius idea. I can't see me getting quite so adventurous as to need one but, you never know. PS: My favourite wood is Yew so I can't wait to see what gets made from that little beauty. Take care...

[@JimsonMakes]

Thank you very much, I think you will like my next video. The steady rest is working very well. Cheers Jim

[@westtex3675]

Wow, I never thought of something like that. I'm sure that will help prevent vibrations like those in the last video with the ogre bowl. Seems like a much more obvious solution than all my brainstorming.

[@JimsonMakes]

Glad you like it, many thanks for watching Cheers Jim

[@dtork47]

Very nicely done and sturdy! Well done and thanks once again, be safe! Cheers from MT

[@JimsonMakes]

Thank you very much, stay safe Cheers Jim

[@geraldshultz4271]

Great job Jim thanks for brightening up my lock down day. Great design.

[@JimsonMakes]

Thank you very much Gerald, glad you enjoyed it Cheers Jim

[@oliverstringer6193]

Nice job

[@adamdiaz8442]

Awesome work Jim you’ve got me motivated and off my arse to make one I’ve been meaning to make one for the past couple of years 👍🏽

[@JimsonMakes]

Thank you very much Adam, I’m trying to get some of these jobs done. Cheers Jim

[@TheJkaeser]

Hi Jim, Great job. Now that it's done we'll all be looking forward to the test run. Be safe.

[@JimsonMakes]

Thank you very much Jeff. It is on the lathe right now, new video soon if I don’t mess up ( another challenging turn ) Cheers Jim

[@darrylbuckett5380]

Nice little Star Gate, just add a sharp chisel and a little imagination and see what appears. Cheers

[@JimsonMakes]

Thank you very much, it has seen action today, working well so far. Cheers Jim

[@bobthecat6188]

First I ve watched building a steady ,I did not think there was as much to it thank you for making it so clear

[@JimsonMakes]

Thank you very much Robert👍🏼👍🏼 Cheers Jim

[@teamwild_UK]

A great lockdown project Jim. The cam stops were a great idea. Cheers. Ben

[@JimsonMakes]

Thank you very much Ben, I was very pleased with the cam stops. Cheers Jim

[@cortlandhunt4721]

Good job Jim, it looks really heavy duty. Keep safe. 👍🇺🇸

[@JimsonMakes]

Thank you very much, yes I was delighted with the rigidity, I always over engineer stuff though. Cheers Jim

[@digitaIgorilla]

Steady on 😉 Looking forward to that gnarly wood turning!

[@JimsonMakes]

It’s on the lathe right now 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼 Cheers Jim

[@stuartscott9646]

Very nice. Simple, elegant. Well done!

[@JimsonMakes]

Thank you very much Stuart.👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼 Cheers Jim