SR Clark Steady Rest - Basic

The white steady rest is for a smaller lathe and depicts a flat base with 3 arms rotated to clear a laser thickness guide. This style Clark Steady Rest was built for a 16 inch swing Jet lathe and would cost $380. A variety of sizes, numbers and positions of arms with wheels, and 2 base configurations are available. See the other photos for examples.

When you are ready to customize your own Clark Steady Rest, you can click on the "CREATE your Clark Steady Rest" link in the Steady Rest drop down menu or at the top of the Main description page.

NO COLOR option is now available with discount for no painting. This option gives the turner the option of getting the system in raw metal. It will not be sandblasted and may have some minor rust but will save some money.

The large steady can hold a project with a 23" diameter. The wheels can be retracted well out of the way of the project and the steady rest moved out of the way near the headstock. This eliminates the need to remove the steady from the lathe bed. The alignment plate keeps the steady at 90 degrees to the lathe bed. A 15/16 socket wrench is needed to tighten the attachment plate to secure the steady rest to the lathe bed.The aluminum arms which hold the wheels are 1.25" diameter. A flat is milled on the arm which provides proper alignment of the wheel when the set screws are tightened on this flat. Wheels are roller blade type of about 3 inches in diameter.

All steady rests are custom made to your specifications in terms of size, color, number of arms etc. LARGE 24" swing lathe rests use a rugged 31 inch diameter ring - 3/8 inch thick steel construction - painted for a beautiful finish! 1.25 inch diameter radial arms are aluminum.

The wheels vary in color. Steady rests can come with a 4th tube mounted at about the 1 o'clock position to allow the turner to place the upper arm off center so the arm is out of the way of the laser holder of a hollowing system. Of course, my hollowing system is designed with an articulating and adjustable laser holder to get around this problem. Radial arms move to adjust from 1/2 inch to 23 inch diameter spindles or bowls for final shaping, sanding or hollowing! 1/2 inch mounting plate with recessed attachment bolt. Option of flat plate or wrap around base plate (allows lower arm position).

Let me know what lathe you have and I will create the proper configuration! Smaller lathes use smaller diameter ring structure as needed. I now have a new design for those having a need to stabilize large diameter, heavy (wet) pieces. It uses the Wrap-Around-Base and can have any number of arms. With a more narrow base, the lowest arms can be more underneath the project. The vertical struts have a threaded hole for a 5/8" bolt that can engage the body of the lathe for additional stabilization. Spacing of arms is up to you but evenly spaced is good for projects with voids and 4-6 arms underneath is better for heavy projects.

STEADY REST- please turn safely!

The Clark Steady Rests are an integral accessory for hollowing. Forces exerted by the hollowing system are tremendous. The wood can be much more easily torn from a faceplate or chuck without a steady rest. Any wood-turning task can potentially be dangerous! Proper protection, instruction and experience are necessary. A three arm steady rest is effective for smaller lathes, but I am becoming convinced that more wheels on the wood is better. I believe that a perfectly round block of wood that is well balance will turn smoothly. However, many deal with very heavy, out of balance pieces of wood that actually change shape while being hollowed. More wheels underneath a heavy piece help to distribute the weight. But the steady takes nearly all the pressure off of the faceplate but most importantly the HEADSTOCK of the lathe. There is less vibration when using more wheels when the piece changes shape over time. Change in shape is a major factor that induces vibrations. There is an additional source of vibration realized by Jon Leggett. Leaving a project on the lathe with wheels engaged but not not turning even for a short period produces flats on the wheels. Harder wheels take longer to recover, but running the lathe cures the problem. Apparently this happens to automobile tires too.