Lathe steady - advice needed.

[Graham]

Thats looks almost exactly like mine except mine has three arms and they are in the recesses to stop them twisting.

[Les Symonds]

Thanks for that, Malcolm. I see that you appear to have converted your steady from a 3-wheel to a 4-wheel. I'm just wondering what circumstances you felt, made that necessary.

Les

[malcy]

Hi Les. When I made this I wasn't sure whether I needed a three or four wheel version, so I made mine to take both. You can see the three recesses in place, although I set it up for four arms/ wheels and have never changed it, so I cannot say which is better, only that I have used the four wheel version a number of times without problems. Hope that helps. Malcolm.

[burywoodturners]

try the Richard Findley version, it is your left hand! I tried this after a demo by him and got two 15mm by600mm rods in ash, you just need to be brave enough to try it, and do hundreds to get to be as good as Richard!
Ron

[Les Symonds]

try the Richard Findley version, it is your left hand! I tried this after a demo by him and got two 15mm by600mm rods in ash, you just need to be brave enough to try it, and do hundreds to get to be as good as Richard!
Ron

.....oh, I wouldn't want to muscle in on Richard's domain....pass!

Les

[Richard Findley]

Hi Les

Just see this. Depends what you need to steady, as to the best design. I'm up your way at the start of September doing a demo, so perhaps see you there? I'll be doing the hand steadying thing at the demo!

The other option that I use is a very traditional option. This little video is from my Instagram, and shows how it works:


https://instagram.com/p/2I52dLgSbT/?taken-by=richard_findley

Its a bit grainy, but think it shows it quite well.

HTH

Richard

Edit: I just remembered, I posted a video of the hand/steady technique on Instagram too:

https://instagram.com/p/46ODGdASfd/?taken-by=richard_findley

Slightly better quality than the first!

[bodrighywood]

I tend to do the same as Richard just using the hand. Only found it a problem if it is a very thin spindle and over about 12" long. Main problem arises (for me at least) if the tail stock is too tight which may make the spindle bend when it gets thinner. I try and do thinner stuff in a chuck to avoid this reason with the tailstock just holdoing the piece in place.

Pete

[Steve Jones]

I agree with Richard it all depends what it's needed for. I like Richard use the hand method a lot but sometimes it is quicker and better to use a steady.
I also have a wooden steady much like Richard's and you can see how efficient it is by watching the stair spindle video I posted on the forum. My version is on a metal tube making it easy to put on and off for multiple use. A steady with wheels does help eliminate any marking of the wood and three wheels is easier to set up than four.
The steady of the same type I have for my watkin his pictured and I can make any size support to suit it's shown with three sizes but I have many more.

[Graham]

I use mine mostly while hollowing big long pieces such as a vase. it stops any catches or lateral pressure pulling the spigot out of the chuck.

[Les Symonds]

.....Depends what you need to steady, as to the best design. I'm up your way at the start of September doing a demo, so perhaps see you there? I'll be doing the hand steadying thing at the demo!

Thanks for the info, Richard. I'm mostly interested in supporting vases and urns for hollowing, as opposed to spindle-work. Where will you be doing the demo?

Les

[John D Smith]

Hi Les,
          Not wishing to speak for Richard I think his demo is at Mid Wales Woodturners 20th September. Regards John

[Les Symonds]

Hi Les,
          Not wishing to speak for Richard I think his demo is at Mid Wales Woodturners 20th September. Regards John

Ah...I'm a member at that club and I understood that the arrangements had changed...in fact, our web-site states that we have Simon Hope in September. Where did you get your info from, John?

Les

[Richard Findley]

Hi Les

You are correct, the Mid Wales demo has been moved to March 2016. I'm at Gwynedd on 5th September. That must be near you, right?

Richard

[John D Smith]

Hi Les & Richard,
                          Sorry for the incorrect information I had it off Richards Web site I will keep my nose out in future  Regards John

[Richard Findley]

Don't worry John, I really should update my website. Next year's diary is pretty much full, so it needs doing....

Richard