Roller Rest conversion for the Sherline steady rest

[Nubbles]

Inspired by Donnie Driskell's video:

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The bearings I used are SR155-ZZEE, dimensions 5/32" x 5/16" x 5/32". I used a 1/8" endmill to cut the slots, and a 4mm drill for the M4 screws that hold the bearings in (they were what I had on hand, and happen to fit the bearing's ID). Curved the ends of the fingers for clearance just with a file. I don't have a mill, so I used the vertical milling slide on the lathe, with a Taig ER16 adapter for tool holding. The holes were drilled 0.1245" from the side and end of each finger to give equal clearance on all sides around the 4mm holes.
Haven't used it in a setup, but spun up some stock as a test and it seems to work well.

 

[benmychree]

I don't use roller steady rest bearings because of the likelihood of running chips through them, marring the work, some use brass, also not a good choice, as it tends to gall, the best choice, I think is cast iron, as it does not gall when used for steady and follow rest jaws nor does it imbed chips, for lube I use either white lead in oil or CMD center lube.