Shape of Boxford fixed steady blocks

[Grindstone CowboyParticipant @grindstonecowboy]

Lathe is a Boxford Model C bench type.

I rarely use my fixed steady, but whist giving it a clean the other day, I noticed the ends of the blocks that contact the rotating workpiece have little semi-circular depressions. Is this how they are made, or have they just worn like that? And if they are worn, should I bother re-shaping them, and what shape should they actually be?

Final question – what are they made of? Look like steel,are they possibly cast-iron for the self-lubricating properties? The slot in the middle appears to have a cast finish, not machined.

Thanks,

Rob

[old martParticipant @oldmart]

There will be some wear on the tips of the blocks from cylindrical surfaces rubbing against them even when they are lubricated. You could flatten the ends if you wanted to, but that would shorten them slightly. Both of the fixed steadies and the moving one that we have at the museum have original blocks or fingers made from what looks like bronze. I made a second set for the larger fixed steady out of steel with small shielded ball races so as to have a choice of support.

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