I was needing a better method to profile a barrel to my specs. Being one of those that doesn't get the vapors when the subject of turning a barrel down comes up, I added to my barrel turning box of tricks. I already had an air follower steady rest that Pete Grisel convinced me I had to build. The profiler I made uses an aluminum template I machine on my protrak and then my manual lathe follows it. The sheet metal guards keep the piles of chips from getting between the template and the rollers. That would produce a problem divot in the barrel the size of the chip that got rolled over. I was pretty happy with the fact that I can even do light finishing cuts on a slim taper barrel without any chatter.

There is no doubt about it. You are a very talented man.

Thanks for posting James, very interesting!

You're getting a really good finish even for a light feed.

The only air follower steady rests that I am familiar with were on our large CNC machines. What does this look like on a manual machine?

I especially like the arm on the QC tool post.

Dave Manson

quote:

Originally posted by drhall762:
The only air follower steady rests that I am familiar with were on our large CNC machines. What does this look like on a manual machine?

Mark Stratton had drawings in his book of one. I know of a few folks that made them from the drawings. Harold Broughton used one in his barrel shop[.

quote:

Originally posted by drhall762:
The only air follower steady rests that I am familiar with were on our large CNC machines. What does this look like on a manual machine?

Here's a pic of it used bolted to the bed. In the above pictures it's just bolted to the carriage.

quote:

Originally posted by DManson:
I especially like the arm on the QC tool post.

Dave Manson

Thanks Dave
It's my test piece after I made all the gears for my Hardinge Spiral attachment.

Thanks for the photo. Of course now more questions. What kind of pressure do you use? 30-40 psi?

I'm trying to scale it in my head, are those 3/4" pneumatic cylinders?

Looks like a must have piece of kit to me.

20-40 psi. Just enough to remove any chatter.
Here's the cylinder.
https://www.mcmaster.com/#6498K141
I use some lube on it on a finished surface, but when turning the barrel down, I just ran it dry. I should make some extra tips though.

A much simpler version of the older hydraulic tracers. They can still be had pretty cheap, but I never had much luck doing light "delicate" work with them. Might just have been my limited experience, or the brand/version used.

I may have to make a little setup like yours. Setting up the taper attachment, machining the radius, blending everything together, it can sure be tedious! Being able to do it all in one shot would be great. I never like the hydraulic tracers so never pursued them any further. This might be a nice way to setup.

I have been meaning to make an air steady rest for some time. Thanks for the pictures and thanks for sharing.