Remote steady

[Frank S]

Sometimes you use what is available when turning long cylinders.
I needed to bore to size then thread the inside of a length of 1" stainless tubing, but it extended over 3 feet beyond the back end of the lathe spindle even with a centering bushing back there the tube was going to whip and could have bent So I pressed a flanged bearing into the remains of a spherical bearing then clamped it to my arbor press. The alignment was spot on center of the spindle bore.




Taped to 7/8-20 tpi

[DIYer]

Thanks Frank S! We've added your Remote Steady to our Lathe Accessories category,
as well as to your builder page: Frank S's Homemade Tools. Your receipt:

Remote Steady by Frank S

tags: lathe, steady rest

[Toolmaker51]

Possibly most creative use for an arbor press any of us recall. Always worth a little planning, don't obscure entry of spindle bore.

[Frank S]

Possibly most creative use for an arbor press any of us recall. Always worth a little planning, don't obscure entry of spindle bore.

When I placed the arbor press there it never occurred to me that I might use it as a steady, I just wanted it positioned where any long turnings would clear it, but at 500+ pounds I'd say is makes for a stable platform to be used as a steady as well.

[Toolmaker51]

In SoCal shop I'm visiting [still] a Bridgeport pattern, aka 'turret mill' is about 7' from 16" lathe. The column is offset of spindle bore, allowing X, Y, & knee to position support as Frank S did. Usually it's the V head of a pipe jack; RPM's are low, single-point threading a long pump shaft. Anything longer, uses added pipe jacks in their tripod stands.
For occasions of higher speeds, the table makes easy clamping of pillow block bearings. That spherical alignment feature is ideal.