Lathe travelling steady

[fizzy]

As I have already mentioned I am now the proud owner of a travelling steady for my Colchester Triumph.
It took ages to fit. The slot was full of metal dust. I think nature took its course and sintered it

Anyway it now fits but seems all wrong to me. Shouldn't the fingers be in line with the lathe tool for maximum support? It is cranked the wrong way!
What was the thinking behind this?

 

[MattH]

It needs to be behind the cut otherwise as you cut you will be removing the material it is bearing on.

 

[123hotchef]

It needs to be behind the cut otherwise as you cut you will be removing the material it is bearing on.

are you sure?

 

[eLuSiVeMiTe]

 

[daleyd]

Put up a better picture showing the whole thing, to me it looks like it’s facing the toolpost so 90 degrees out but it’s really hard to make out from that pic.

 

[Hood]

They can be used in front or behind the tool depending on requirements.

 

[123hotchef]

looks like my lathe

 

[fizzy]

More pics

 

[MattH]

Looks like your compound is parallel with the ways. It would be more normal for it to be 90 or 60 degs to the ways and this would move the tool holder in relation to the steady.

 

[Hood]

Looks like your compound is parallel with the ways. It would be more normal for it to be 90 or 60 degs to the ways and this would move the tool holder in relation to the steady.

Not really sure what you are meaning and maybe I am misunderstanding but the steady is on the saddle so moving the cross slide would move the tool in relation to the steady.

 

[eLuSiVeMiTe]

Or just wind your compound back towards the tail stock a bit.

Beaten to it.

 

[Hood]

Or just wind your compound back towards the tail stock a bit.

Beaten to it.

Ah maybe that was what was meant, getting the tool closer to the bearing point of the steady.

 

[eLuSiVeMiTe]

Ah maybe that was what was meant, getting the tool closer to the bearing point of the steady.

Depending on where your tool post mounts in relation to the pivot rotating the compound might make the post arc closer to the tailstock.

 

[fizzy]

Thanks for the suggestions - I am hoping to get the lathe set up and running soon - only had it for 18 years!
The black gunk all over it has kept it mint and rust free - can't remember what I used now - possibly aerosols of gear lube - but it worked like magic!

 

[graffian]

You move the toolpost so the tool is cutting infront/behind the support. Is there a rule?
Here is mine set up to whittle something down.

 

[minimutly]

If the workpiece has previously been trued up you can have the steady in front of the tool. If the workpiece has been rattling around you will need to stop that, and then, have the steady behind the tool.
The steady is set up fine, up to you where the compound or top slide is set.

 

[fizzy]

Looks like your compound is parallel with the ways. It would be more normal for it to be 90 or 60 degs to the ways and this would move the tool holder in relation to the steady.

Talk about me missing the obvious.
No doubt when I came to use it the penny would have dropped!
I ALWAYS use the top slide at an angle!
My little lathe and now I have adjusted the big one it's fine

 

[RichardM]

I looked it up as I am thinking of making one:
http://www.homews.co.uk/page548.html