Thanks guys.
I'll try to remember to get a picture in.
My steady...as you can imagine...is not high quality. I think the fingers are some kind of brass or harder. Not rollers. I didn't even know you could get steady's with rollers.
I see what you're saying Chris. Something to keep in mind in the future.
As I said...I got through the lathe work. Next step is the mill (where all can be ruined).
I was fairly happy with the boring (although the proof will be when the crosshead is in place)...but I was surprised about the last step.
1st step was to drill/bore .625 through all which holds the cross head.
2nd step was to bore larger but not so far (I think just for space/looks).
3rd step was to bore a bit larger to hold the cylinder cover.
3rd step shows quite a bit of chatter although I didn't notice any real difference in sound/feel as I worked it.
Ah...here's the pics...
1st pic is the overall crosshead guide. I'm thinking decent although the transition from the larger diameter to the smaller doesn't show that well in the picture.
The angle is about 56 degrees but I'm thinking it I should have made it larger. Just a cosmetic thing though.
2nd pic shows what I was talking about. The smaller diameter looks okay. Truth will be when the crosshead is put in.
The next diameter also looks okay (keeping in mind it's just space).
You can see the chatter on the larger diameter. I hadn't changed any settings (speed/etc. other than moving to a larger diameter).
I'm thinking it's okay. That's the part that is a close/press fit for the cylinder cover.
In any case...I'm going forward with it.
The milling will be a pucker job and if it fails...then I start all over.
Oh...I should explain...when I flipped the part...there was only about 1 and half inches sticking out. I questioned whether the steady was needed and went ahead and faced and then drilled through.
Drilling was a bit of a "hold my breath". I drilled 1/2". The tailstock doesn't have 4+ inches of travel so I drilled as far as I could...moved the tail stock (and bit) in...and continued to drill. It took about 3 times of moving the tail stock. Went pretty well but I don't know if that's the way a seasoned machinist would do it.
I didn't worry too much because I knew I'd be boring and the boring bar I had was long enough for the what I needed.
Anyhoo...I'm stopping now to enjoy my evening and will let tomorrow be what it is.
...Got some comments while I was writing this...
@Dave...thanks. I'll try heavy oil next time. But I'm still wondering what people do to (re)condition a fixed steady.
@Bob...I haven't commented on your thread...but I'm looking in.
@Don...You still dancing? I hope so. It's all about the rumba. The tango is dangerous