How to adjust a steady rest for your lathe?

[HMF]

Hey Guys,

Is there a trick to getting a steady-rest set up?

I have heard that one way is, after clamping part in the three-jaw chuck, slide the steady-rest close to chuck, and make adjustments until the steady-rest arms touch the part. Then, move steady-rest down to where you want the support.

How doyou folks indicate the newly supported end (away from chuck) in some way, to confirm it's as level and centered front-to-back as possible?

Or, is there another way of doing this.

I saw that some one had made this simple double gage for truing up a bar.

 

[HMF]

Mumbles,

Thanks for that- sounds exactly like the kind of newbie mistake I would make.

I bought a couple of extra Heavy 10 bearing shells a year or so back, figuring I would screw up, but D1-4 spindles are NEVER, NEVER, NEVER available on Ebay or elsewhere. You just don't see them. Screw one up, and it's quits for the machine.

I'm glad you told me of your experience- that's how we learn from others.

Best,

Nelson