Fixing a lathe steady

[astro_al]

Hi guys, I need to fix up the steady for my lathe. It was a bit of a mess when I got it. The ends of the three 'fingers' are totally screwed. Any advice on the best repair method?

Also, while I'm on it, anyone know why some steadies have bronze type bushes and others have rollers? Which should I shoot for?

Ta, Al.

 

[shenion]

Looks like someone has already welded the ends. The lower 2 look like most is worn off. The arms will probably need to be replaced as they loo too short. Should not be too hard to make.

You could weld a plate on them to extend them and then bolt a roller bearing on them.

Roller bearings work well as they don't add drag or wear but they will have a bit of play.

Bronze bushings will be more accurate but will wear. Mine has bushings. A pain to adjust and oil.

I probably would fab some new arms with bearings in them. Drill holes near the end same size as the bearings. Turn a post that is center tapped on one end. Weld the post in and hold bearing on with a screw/washer.

 

[gordon stephenson]

Brass or bronze tips are more forgiving, rollers can sometimes leave track marks if the workpiece is relativley soft,You could trim up the 3 support ends and silver solder new brass blocks to them,or if there is still a decent ammount of brass/bronze remaining just give them a good clean and reprofile the existing tips.

 

[john224]

steady

After 25 years turning and milling we always used rollers ,Ok sometimes leaves small marks But somebody told me to get some NYLON bar and make some rollers out of this we did and very realy used the steel rollers again,,

 

[Sam]

After 25 years turning and milling we always used rollers ,Ok sometimes leaves small marks But somebody told me to get some NYLON bar and make some rollers out of this we did and very realy used the steel rollers again,,

Would go with that we used delrin or acetal which ever was at hand.

 

[brookie456]

Would go with that we used delrin or acetal which ever was at hand.

Can't argue with that, especially good on smaller diameter/ longer length stock

 

[astro_al]

Splendid, thanks for the inputs guys. I will re-make the fingers from scratch and run some bearings & rollers on the ends. Magic, ta.

Al.