Base for Steady Rest

[Beckerkumm]

When rehabbing the steady rest for my Smart Brown 1024, I found that the base is not original so I will have to make one to fit the V and bring it up to height. I assume cast iron is the best choice but not my favorite to machine. Is cast iron worth the effort vs steel or even 6061 AL for the steady? Sorry for the color, matches the lathe for ugly. Dave

 

[benmychree]

Either choice would be OK.

 

[Papa Charlie]

Cast iron is the most common because it is cheap to cast and reasonably stable when it comes to heat sensitivity. But steel will work just fine in this application.

I would not recommend Al as it is very temperature sensitive and deforms easily.

 

[Beckerkumm]

Thanks. Turns out this steady rest is not a Smart and Brown. Threads are Whitworth but rest is not Holbrook, or CVA. I don't know what other English lathes this might fit. It is too large so I don't need to add a base but rather cut this one down. Doesn't look like an easy project. If anyone has opinions as to what machines this rest might fit, I'm stumped. Dave