Thread: Its metalwork but for woodwork

Made this up for a woodturning forum member coloured to match his Yellow Peril



I had a great time making this lathe steady. Its is as can be seen a three arm steady at the moment with abilty to either be used as a four or five with the fitting of two more arms the holes have already been drilled if I had more 19mm rod I would have just made them myself.

Pat has a Woodfast M910 which has a 520mm (21") swing over the lathe bed. I made the opening approx 560mm.

Made out of almost everything I had here at home except M8 nuts for the locks for the arms and the bolts to suit, Pat can choose which type he wants there.

The tube frame is 30mm x 30mm left over off an old table we have had for over 20 years. Blacksteel 19mm rod for the arms, off cuts of plate for the ways and an off cut bolt 3/4" which incidentally I got off Pat. This part is major concern the measurements taken by Pat & myself are ok its when I calculated what was required I feel that its to short. I or Pat may have to remove 5mm from the top edge to allow better grip by the nut.

The in-line skate wheels left over from the pair I bought to make my own steady, the nuts and bolts 6mm where from my old wheelchair.

O the paint I bought the paint also got to match "The yellow Peril" s Pat calls his lathe as close as I could.

Have to say a big thanks to LOML being my offsider for many reasons.

Dejavu haven't I read this in another thread

Nice work Wheelin. One of those is on my 'next to do list'.

Thanks Ray.

I'll have to work out when I am next going out your way.

Originally Posted by Pat

...I'll have to work out when I am next going out your way.

Until then, do not make anything big.



Great job Ray

Originally Posted by Pat

Thanks Ray.

I'll have to work out when I am next going out your way.

Delivery possible to Oatley Pat at a stretch south coast

hi ray ,
looks good with arms and wheels attached
well done
cheers smiife

Originally Posted by smiife

hi ray ,
looks good with arms and wheels attached
well done
cheers smiife

Well sort of attached needs the M8 bolts or knobs to secure them.

Thanks Michael

Funny thing is, it fits!

Ray, luckily for me I have 30mm ring spanner . . . I tightened the bolt up and couldn't move the bugger!

M8 Socket screws work well, but I might change out the 25mm lengths for 13mm, to protect my knuckles

Originally Posted by Pat

Ray, luckily for me I have 30mm ring spanner . . . I tightened the bolt up and couldn't move the bugger!

M8 Socket screws work well, but I might change out the 25mm lengths for 13mm, to protect my knuckles

Pay I knew you had shifters just remember its cast ways which break easy.

Yeh sorry my M8's were same and figured that the 40mm would be to long also. McJings site still down so couldn't check there and didn't get there before you got it.

Now no need for that other new toy you can leave logs long and round ........ become like Robbo and turn long things or big pens.

Nice one Ray!!!

Just wonderng abot the flexing that is possible in such
a wide frame?

Originally Posted by artme

Nice one Ray!!!

Just wonderng abot the flexing that is possible in such
a wide frame?

Arthur I didn't know you had met Pat? besides he's used to it ....................oh you mean the steady. All the Bus and truck frames i worked on were much wider had larger forces swinging, pushing inside and out.

Other than forces beyond my control (Pat's turning), I have a contingency plan should anything go wrong its a brace.
I was considering doing diagonal but it would reduce the size of vessel to be turned. The rods are my biggest concern if thats what you mean also I have an idea stored should Pat find the problem even tho they are 19mm they can still bend.