Modified lathe steady rest

[OccupantRJ]

I did not have a steady rest for my Clausing lathe, but I did have one that fit a lathe with a slightly smaller swing, so I decided to make a slight modification so I could use it. The bottom of the steady had a notch in it to seat onto one of the lathe bed ways, so I milled the base to get rid of it. After some measuring, a new adapter base was machined to be attached to the bottom of the steady rest to act as a riser, and also to center the 3 supports in proper relation to the lathe centerline. The results are pictured, minus a paint job..

 

[jason74]

Good job. with the price of those I might do likewise.

 

[Graham08]

Nicely done. My lathe came with a steady from another lathe, so I need to do the same thing.

 

[TheEquineFencer]

Kinda see what you mean. I just need a bit for cutting the V slot and some thick steel.

 

[larry_g]

Kinda see what you mean. I just need a bit for cutting the V slot and some thick steel.

If you have a mill then you can cut the V with a standard bit if the IF it is not less than a 90* angle. If the V is a 90 then hold the part to be machined at 45* and make the cut with a regular cutting bit.

lg
no neat sig line

 

[TheEquineFencer]

If you have a mill then you can cut the V with a standard bit if the IF it is not less than a 90* angle. If the V is a 90 then hold the part to be machined at 45* and make the cut with a regular cutting bit.

lg
no neat sig line

I thought about that...the idea of tilting my BP after the PITA it was to get it level to start with doesn't appeal...I need a big chunk of steel, about 2 inch thick to get the rest I have close to center.

 

[stioc]

I think what larry_g means is this:

no need to tilt the head as long as the part can be held in a vise.

@OccupantRJ, nice work!

 

[yaidunno]

Nice fix! I had to do similar with a 14" for my 15" lathe. Thanks for sharing.

 

[TheEquineFencer]

I think what larry_g means is this:

no need to tilt the head as long as the part can be held in a vise.

@OccupantRJ, nice work!

Thanks!

 

[matt_i]

Cool!
I'm curious about the V-slot, I had to do a bedway-engaging plate once on a square head Clausing Colchester and ended up using a shaper for the V-slot, as it was an included-angle measurement outside of standard milling cutters.

Also, how did you determine the position of the steady on the bedway, rough-indicate the "ID" of the casting?

 

[OccupantRJ]

Cool!
I'm curious about the V-slot, I had to do a bedway-engaging plate once on a square head Clausing Colchester and ended up using a shaper for the V-slot, as it was an included-angle measurement outside of standard milling cutters.

Also, how did you determine the position of the steady on the bedway, rough-indicate the "ID" of the casting?

I chucked a piece of larger tubing in the chuck and used the adjuster bolts to get it to a measured center. I used a horizontal style milling cutter in the Bridgeport to cut the slot in the plate, as the V slot was not 90 degrees.

On other projects in the past I have taken a dull circular dual angle milling cutter and reground it in a K.O. Lee tool and cutter grinder to the angle needed to do the job. I bought a bucket of old cutters at an auction to use as needed.

I have also made my own carbide tipped circular cutters in the past by slotting an old cutter to create gullets, then silver brazing carbide triangular inserts into them. A grind with a diamond wheel got it to the angles I wanted. Those cutters have cut millions of brass parts for years with a touch up every now and then.