Recent work

[Greg Ketell]

So a friend was trying to figure out where to store a long 4x4 that he had. He and I and another friend got together to come up with a new storage system that we thought you might be interested in seeing.

SteadyRest3-1.jpg

So, Ok, not really for storing 4x4s but a fun build anyway. I've wanted one for years but could never justify the $$, then I met Larry Brooks who is a newer local turner with a 3520B and then I talked my friend David Ratto into buying a used 3520B. Well, with the three of us all "needing" one and, combined, having all the tools necessary it was time to get building.

3 Guys + 3 days + $300ish = 3 "Jeff Nicol" Steady Rests, including the movable arm for the 10 o'clock position to clear hollowing system lasers.

SteadyRest3-2.jpg

Here is a better shot of just one of them:

SteadyRest3-3.jpg

We did figure out that we need to cut notches in the ring to clear the Cage. After that, just clean and paint and they will be done.

[Jim Burr]

Wow Greg!!! Excellent work by the Three Amigos!!

[Larry Whitlow]

Greg, those are really nice. If you don't mind my asking, where did you get the rings?

BTW, the background of your photos look like the lathe tool display at that Woodcraft over in Dublin.

[Greg Ketell]

Greg, those are really nice. If you don't mind my asking, where did you get the rings?

I ordered them from McMaster-Carr. Item #1764K66, $23.40 plus shipping which was $15 for the three of them.

BTW, the background of your photos look like the lathe tool display at that Woodcraft over in Dublin.

Yeah, Larry is the most organized guy I've met. I'm very jealous of his setup!!

[bob svoboda]

Those look awesome-on a par with my JN model. Great work you guys!

[Greg Ketell]

Wow Greg!!! Excellent work by the Three Amigos!!

thanks Jim! Are you going to make "the gathering" in June? If so, you can see them in person.

Those look awesome-on a par with my JN model. Great work you guys!

thanks, Bob. But I doubt seriously they are as good as Jeff's work; I haven't welded since high school and it shows!

[Gus Dundon]

That is just amazing! That is way cool!

[Thomas Canfield]

Looking good, but Jeff painted mine a "Mustard" color. I don't remember where the paint came from. Just don't go green or white.

[Greg Ketell]

Looking good, but Jeff painted mine a "Mustard" color. I don't remember where the paint came from. Just don't go green or white.

We were going to paint ours Mustard too but PM wants $20 a can for the stuff. And being in NorCal, getting good oil-based lacquer is harder than finding bigfoot. So we are currently thinking black, but still debating.

[Cheryl A. Prince]

Greg, Those are great looking steady rests! I have the Nichols rest and love it. Using the rest has helped me become much more comfortable doing larger hollow forms. However..., what I'd really love to see is a couple of pictures (front, side and back) of your tool stand. Did you come up with the plan yourself or did you find it here at the creek? I'm going to build a tool stand as soon as school lets out and I love how yours is laid out. It would fit in my small shop much better than the rolling cart design I was thinking of. Any photos or direction you could offer would be appreciated! Happy and safe turning!

[Marc Himes]

Looks like a great and productive time for a bunch of guys. Nice Job! Sure beats my 2x4 construction. I also noticed the tool stand; very well organized.

[Bernie Weishapl]

Looks like a good time and some nice steady rests.

[Dick Mahany]

Greg,

Great job on those! BTW, for the paint, since we can't get lacquer around here, I took my banjo to my local Ace hardware and they did a perfect computer color match in an oil based gloss enamel. A quart cost $10 and would be more than enough to paint them all.

[Greg Ketell]

Wow Greg!!! Excellent work by the Three Amigos!!

Greg,

Great job on those! BTW, for the paint, since we can't get lacquer around here, I took my banjo to my local Ace hardware and they did a perfect computer color match in an oil based gloss enamel. A quart cost $10 and would be more than enough to paint them all.

thanks for the hint, Dick. I checked our local Ace and they can do it too. I may take a seldom-used tool rest down tomorrow.

Gk

[Dennis Nagle]

First off.....great work Greg. They look very sturdy. Second, thanks for the link to the rings. I've been scratching my head for the last couple months trying to figure out how to make a ring like that.....AND.....they sell them in a 30" size....perfect fit for my lathe.

I ordered them from McMaster-Carr. Item #1764K66, $23.40 plus shipping which was $15 for the three of them.

Yeah, Larry is the most organized guy I've met. I'm very jealous of his setup!!