The steady rest is used to support long, thin, round stock to keep it from deflecting when the cutting tool is applied to it. It is also used to support the end of long stock that is held in a chuck or collet so that the exposed end can be center drilled for support in a live center. It is clamped to the lathe table and the three brass pads are adjusted to support the part and a little lubrication is applied. Another advantage of the steady rest that is often overlooked is the fact that work held in position by the rest turns concentrically with its outside diameter. This means that concentricity is assured when working near the steady rest, because, at that point, it must be running perfectly true despite imperfections in how it is chucked or centered at either end. 

INSTRUCTIONS FOR USE

All materials have a tendency to deflect away from the cutting tools when you are turning them in a lathe. This tendency is especially noticeable on long, slender parts and long pieces of bar stock. It makes it quite difficult to hold close tolerances. The best way to hold a long part is with a center mounted in the tailstock. However, for one reason or another this is not always possible. As an example, it may be a piece of stock that you want to center drill so that you can mount it between centers, or it may be a part where a center drill hole would ruin the looks of the part. Whatever the reason, steady rests provide a means of supporting the part.

The SHERLINE steady rest provides three adjustable brass blades mounted in a holder that mounts on the bed of the lathe. These blades can be set to the diameter of the part to provide necessary support while it turns. (For small diameter parts it may be necessary to cut or file off the corners of the blades so they contact the part without touching each other.) Another advantage of the steady rest which is often overlooked is the fact that work which is held in position by the rest must turn concentrically with its outside diameter. This means that concentricity is assured when working near the steady rest because at that point it must be running perfectly true despite imperfections in the way it is chucked or centered at either end.

FIGURE To drill a hole in the end of a long shaft, the lathe is set up with a center drill in the drill chuck, which is mounted on the tailstock. The Steady Rest keeps the shaft from wobbling and also assures that the hole will be concentric with the outside diameter of the part

The easiest way to set up a steady rest is to first mount the part to be machined in a collet or 3-jaw chuck. Then mount the steady rest onto the bed of the lathe and slide it over the free end of the part and up as close to the chuck as it will go. The three blades of the steady rest can then be adjusted in until they just contact the part, supporting it but not binding it. Once the blades are set and locked in place, the steady rest can be slid back out to support the free end of the part. If you want to check the accuracy of your setup, you can use a dial indicator mounted on the crosslide. Once you are satisfied with the setup, apply a drop or two of oil where the blades come in contact with the part, and you are ready to start machining. The SHERLINE steady rest will accommodate any size part up to 1.75" diameter.