Replies

1. 
   flairwoodworks | Nov 07, 2008 01:18am | #1

   Any woodturning supplier should offer one.  Lee Valley, Craft Supplies USA, etc.  Oneway makes a good one, but you can also make one yourself.  There are a lot of plans available on the web.

   Chris @ www.flairwoodwork.spaces.live.com

    - Success is not the key to happines.  Happiness is the key to success.  If you love what you are doing, you will be successful. - Albert Schweitzer

2. 
   oldusty | Nov 07, 2008 04:19am | #2

      EJ ,

              Here is a look at a shop made one , it gets the job done and only cost 2 bearings and some hardware .I made it about 27 years ago and have put some miles on it . Skate board type wheels will also work and not mar the wood as much as steel .

       

              happy turning       dusty

   
3. 
   thumbnailed | Nov 07, 2008 06:54am | #3

   It's been my experience that you may not need a steady rest in that situation. I often turn long spindles with the chisel in my right hand and my left loosely around the turning, with at least my thumb resting on the chisel, and sometimes the middle finger touching the chisel underneath. The left hand "rides" the turning and guides the chisel at the same time, and usually dampens the vibration enough to prevent chatter. I find it greatly increases my controll and feel for the process as well.

1. 
   oldusty | Nov 07, 2008 08:19am | #4

    Hi  thumb ,

                I have done what you speak of on some turnings but honestly , say for a Windsor spindle it is difficult to even keep enough pressure between centers without bowing out the spindle , that is when a steady rest or two really help make it possible to turn those longish thin pieces .

               regards    dusty

2. 
   EJACOB | Nov 07, 2008 06:24pm | #5

   THANKS FOR THE REPLY THUMBNAILED & OLDRUSTY.

   I WILL TRY YOUR SUGGESTION ON THE SPINDLE I'M TURNING NOW.(HAD TO TAKE A BREAK - I'M OLD!)

   DO EITHER OF YOU KNOW WHERE TO BUY SUCH A REST?

   THANK YOU

1. 
   BG | Nov 07, 2008 10:15pm | #6

   Ejacob,
   Woodcraft has several models...
   http://www.woodcraft.com/family.aspx?FamilyID=5062http://www.woodcraft.com/family.aspx?FamilyID=5000

   Edited 11/7/2008 2:20 pm ET by BG

4. 
   bigfootnampa | Nov 08, 2008 07:02pm | #7

   For turning the thinnest spindles (I think that windsor spindles are close to that category) a string steady is often used.  Here is a link to a book with some info on such.  Also try googling "string steady" and see what you get.  They seem easy to make, although I have not tried it.  For myself I have had good results with hand steadying.  If I were doing windsor spindles I would likely be shaping on my shaving horse instead of my lathe (well... maybe I'd rough out on the lathe and finish on the shaving horse... or just turn the tenons on the lathe).

   http://books.google.com/books?id=FQbAd5ekl6AC&pg=PA110&lpg=PA110&dq=turning+very+thin+spindles&source=web&ots=NZretRoBVb&sig=rrYfIXYaAYeTVPsQ-rHjWvH0EAU&hl=en&sa=X&oi=book_result&resnum=3&ct=result#PPA103,M1

   
   

   ---

   Edited 11/8/2008 11:04 am ET by bigfootnampa