Mini selfcentering stady rest

[dk0Participant @dk0]

For turning small diameters on small lathes, I designed a mini self-centering steady rest.
The clamping capacity ranges from 1 to 12.7 mm in diameter with a centering accuracy of 0.02 mm.
The external dimensions are 44 x 56 x 10 mm thick.
This device can be mounted on lathes such as: Schaublin 70/102, Myford, Boley, Emco, etc.
What are your thoughts on its use? Thank you.

[bernard towersParticipant @bernardtowers37738]

Great but where is it?

[dk0Participant @dk0]

This is the prototype of mini selfcentering stady rest with the demo/adapter bracket

for the lathe Schaublin 102 !

[John HaineParticipant @johnhaine32865]

Still can’t see it.

[dk0]

On 10 August 2025 at 11:47 dk0 Said:

[…]
What are your thoughts on its use? Thank you.

I would be very interested to see it

Please keep battling with this capricious forum software !

MichaelG.

[dk0Participant @dk0]

What can I do?

I see the stady rest image attached to the post!
Now I’ll try sending another image.

[Michael GilliganParticipant @michaelgilligan61133]

Whatever you did there worked !

this time 🙂

 

Thanks

MichaelG..

[dk0Participant @dk0]

Michael,

do you see both pictures of the stady rest now?

[bernard towersParticipant @bernardtowers37738]

No just the one!

[dk0Participant @dk0]

I’m re-sending the image

[Michael GilliganParticipant @michaelgilligan61133]

Many thanks … That looks very impressive !

A few constructional details would be welcome

[ unless, of course, our esteemed Editor would like to publish an article in the magazine ]

I’m fed-up of people bickering about boilers !!

MichaelG.

[renardiere7Participant @renardiere7]

Looks great. Agree would like to see construction details. I’m guessing a cone on a thread advances towards the lathe axis and acts on the pair of outer rollers whilst the same thread advances the central roller. Very neat idea.

[Michael Gilligan]

On Michael Gilligan Said:

Many thanks … That looks very impressive !

A few constructional details would be welcome

[ unless, of course, our esteemed Editor would like to publish an article in the magazine ]

I’m fed-up of people bickering about boilers !!

MichaelG.

Michael, thanks for the positive comment.

This is just a prototype…. we’ll have to wait and see how the lathe operators judge it!

One peculiarity is that, given its small size and centripetal precision, the product is

machined primarily with wire EDM.

[renardiere7]

On renardiere7 Said:

Looks great. Agree would like to see construction details. I’m guessing a cone on a thread advances towards the lathe axis and acts on the pair of outer rollers whilst the same thread advances the central roller. Very neat idea.

Exactly, you understood how it works !

[Michael GilliganParticipant @michaelgilligan61133]

Good illustration, thank you

MichaelG.

[HuubParticipant @huub]

Great idea.

For accurate positioning I would position the steady rest near the chuck, loosen the mounting screws, adjust the knob, tighten the mounting screws and than position the steady rest at the required position.

[Neil LickfoldParticipant @neillickfold44316]

Excellent idea. On cylindrical grinders, they use a 2 point steady rest that adjusts the bottom finger and the side finger at the same time. Not sure of their mechanism inside.

I like what you have done.

Thanks for sharing.

Are you going to get these made and then sold ? If so, be interested when they become available.

Neil

[Huub]

On Huub Said:

Great idea.

For accurate positioning I would position the steady rest near the chuck, loosen the mounting screws, adjust the knob, tighten the mounting screws and than position the steady rest at the required position.

Correct procedure !

The great advantage of this self-centering steady rest is that the positioning and centering operation is performed only the first time that the device is installed on the lathe. Afterwards, it can be disassembled and reassembled without having to search for the center every time as with traditional system.  The same steady rest can be mounted as “follow function” on the longitudinal carriage of the lathe, and with each diameter reduction, the 3 rollers automatically center and support the new dimension.

[Neil Lickfold]

On Neil Lickfold Said:

Excellent idea. On cylindrical grinders, they use a 2 point steady rest that adjusts the bottom finger and the side finger at the same time. Not sure of their mechanism inside.

I like what you have done.

Thanks for sharing.

Are you going to get these made and then sold ? If so, be interested when they become available.

Neil

I have made 3 prototypes and am now testing them on small lathes,

the results are good and promising …let’s see if there is interest before developing production!

Anyway, thanks for your encouragement.

 

[peter1972Participant @peter1972]

Am I correct in thinking that theoretically to maintain accurate concentricity the two angled ‘wedges’ should not have a flat slope?

[peter1972]

On peter1972 Said:

Am I correct in thinking that theoretically to maintain accurate concentricity the two angled ‘wedges’ should not have a flat slope?

You’re right, it is not a flat slope but a profile based on the rational mechanics calculations.

[dk0Participant @dk0]

The triangular brass plate has the function of opening the arms and also has slots with a special profile.

[dk0Participant @dk0]

This video explains how complicated it is to center and use a traditional stady rest.With my project self-centering all this work is replaced by a simple operation of close and open because the 3 rollers always move concentrically and centripetally for any diameter, just like a lathe chuck.

 

[dk0Participant @dk0]

I’m currently designing a larger stady rest with a 2 to 30mm clamping capacity, specifically designed for the Myford ML7 lathe. If anyone has the correct profile and dimensions of the lathe guide and the spindle axis height to make the square adapter, please let me know. Thank you Stefano

[John HaineParticipant @johnhaine32865]

Axis height is easy, 3.5 inches.

[Author]

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