Lathe steady

[fuzzyturns]

A while ago I posted here asking people for some info about wheels for a lathe steady. I have now built myself a new steady and thought I post some pictures here, so you can see how this all worked out. In case anybody is interested, I do have a technical drawing for this steady, and would be happy to share. Material cost in total is probably around £40: 20.00 for the wheels and bearings, approx. 10.00 for the plywood and oak and another 10.00 for various bits of hardware (bolts, washers, nuts).
The axles for the wheels are made from 12mm aluminium rod, but could probably be made from some hard wood, as they don't actually move.

[seventhdevil]

looks good but personally i'd double the thickness of the ply ring.

i made mine from steel.

[fuzzyturns]

We'll see how it goes. I haven't used it yet. Got close to using it last night, but that particular vase blew up on me before I even got close.

[The Bowler Hatted Turner]

I made my own but like Steve I only put 3 wheels on as I thought it would be easier to centre them.

[Bryan Milham]

I've bought the hardware to make one of these a couiple of years ago. Must get around to making it. Thanks for the reminder and kick up the rear end to do so.

[malcy]

I made one a couple of years ago and as mentioned above, I used double thickness ply for the ring for extra stability. Works fine but the wheels are a bit noisy. Malcolm.

[Lazurus]

looks good but personally i'd double the thickness of the ply ring.

i made mine from steel.

Workshop windows could do with a clean Steve 

[fuzzyturns]

It's not just the windows... 

[bodrighywood]

As a working workshop it looks pretty clean to me.

Pete

[seventhdevil]

currently one window is only just transparent due to danish oil...

clean is not really a word i'm that familiar with.

tidy is a bit of a mystery too.

[Bryan Milham]

Steve,

you can get away with it - you're not married!

[hughie]

I built my own three wheels of second-hand skateboard wheels has been working just fine for several years.

[fuzzyturns]

I can now confirm first results from actual usage. I am working on a series of vases made from the spalted beech blanks that Steve is throwing out as they are useless for his skittles, and I have used my steady for the hollowing. These blanks are about 13" long and 5 1/2" diameter. The steady works like a charm. The wheels don't leave a noticeable trace on the wood, vibration is minimal and hollowing works great.

[Derek]

I keep promising to make one and like most things keeps getting pushed back even though I have a set of wheels sitting in a draw for mine for over 9 months. it would have been ideal for some straight spindles I am making at the moment

[seventhdevil]

I can now confirm first results from actual usage. I am working on a series of vases made from the spalted beech blanks that Steve is throwing out as they are useless for his skittles, and I have used my steady for the hollowing. These blanks are about 13" long and 5 1/2" diameter. The steady works like a charm. The wheels don't leave a noticeable trace on the wood, vibration is minimal and hollowing works great.

be sure to post picture of the finished article mate. i've found another half dozen if anyone is interested.