Make a Steady Rest Fixture for your Lathe // Step by Step @makethingswithrob

Uploaded November 2023 | Updated September 2026, 5 days ago

A lathe has a head stock as well as a tail stock. We place our lumber that we want to round between both points. In this scenario, normally, you really don’t need anything else to use the lathe. In fact, the head stock alone can be enough to hold onto the work you’re working with. The trouble comes when you’re trying to work on the end, like if you want to drill a hole, or if you’re making a bowl. This is when a steady rest really helps out as it gives you a second point of contact that keeps your work…steady. In this video, I’m going to show how I made a stripped down version of a steady rest that uses clamps to hold it to the bed as well as the wheels arms to the body.

Full step by step plans → makethingswithrob.com/make-a-steady-rest-for-your-lathe
Advanced Steady Rest (With knobs) → youtu.be/60lj5ODXjjA

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Michelle B
Keith Current
William L McNally
Jerry Adams
Zach Finch
Rich Lightfoot
Tutor the Barbarian
Mike Lornitis
Les N.
Gary G.

00:00 Intro
00:43 1. Materials
01:24 2. Creating "the frame"
04:22 3. To knob or not to knob
05:26 4. Option 1 or option 2
06:31 5. Frame Assembly
08:05 6. Base
09:11 7. Arms
12:54 8. Operation

Make a Steady Rest Fixture for your Lathe // Step by Step

100 Awl Challenge: Act 3 // The Checker Madness Awl

$A Router Anchor That Ends the Balancing Act // Router Base Onion Build II Routers are powerful tools, but when used along the edge of stock, balancing becomes a challenge. Since most of the routers weight hangs off the edge, theres a constant risk of tipping, shifting, or uneven cuts. Enter the Router Anchor. This idea gives you more stability, control, and leverage while routing. Designed to stabilize your router on edge work, this shifts the center of gravity onto the stock, preventing bumps and ensuring smooth, controlled passes. If youre using a trim router, instead of spending $25 or more on a store-bought baseplate, well make a custom built pad that cost a fraction of the price while having the ability to fit any trim router setup. Whether youre using a full-sized router or a lightweight trim router, these fixtures will eliminate the balancing act and give you more control with your cuts. Playlist of all bitesize tips used → https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEBXNh1Ik9Fl5jsj4RYaeX3M4FyNqlMpD Attaching plexiglass to the base → https://youtu.be/MS7Q9RcaNmw?t=492 Step by step instructions/tools/materials → https://makethingswithrob.com/router-anchor/ Become a patron! → https://www.patreon.com/makethings ← Huge thank you to my patrons that keep this thing going! *MAKER TEAM* Michelle B Keith Current William L McNally Rich Lightfoot Tutor the Barbarian Aubrey G. Nukebert Sam W. Aaron Knows DIY G. Salazar David B. Make Things, Lets Make Things 00:00 Intro 00:22 1. ROUTER ANCHOR 00:25 1.1. Materials 00:49 1.2. Mapping out lines 02:14 1.3. Recessing the plywood 03:13 1.4. Shaping the base 04:03 1.5. Base to baseplate 05:53 1.6. Dowel handle 06:14 1.7. Testing it out 06:52 1.8. Final thoughts 07:16 2. TRIM STYLE ROUTER PLATE 07:27 2.1. Differences and materials 08:54 2.2. Mapping the shape 09:59 2.3. Cutting and shaping 10:32 2.4. Final markings, drillings 13:17 2.5. Assembly & example 14:13 CREDITS #LetsMakeThings$

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