STEADY AND FOLLOW RESTS.
If one attempts to turn a slender piece between centers, the radial force exerted by the cutting tool, or
the weight of the work piece itself, may cause it to be deflected out of line. Steady and Follow rests
provide means for supporting such work between the head stock and the tail stock. The steady rest is
clamped to the lathe ways and has three movable fingers that are adjusted to contact the work and align
it. Alight cut should be taken before adjusting the finger's to provide a smooth contact-surface area.
A steady rest also can be used in place of the tail stock as a means of supporting the end of long
pieces, having too large an internal hole to permit using a regular dead center, or work where the end
must be open for boring. In such cases the head stock end of the work must he held in a chuck to
prevent it's moving longitudinally, and tool feed should be toward the head stock.
The follow rest is bolted to the lathe carriage. It has two contact fingers that are adjusted to bear against
the work piece, opposite the cutting tool, so as to prevent the work from being deflected away from the
cutting tool by the cutting forces.
TOOL HOLDERS
Because cutting-tool materials are expensive, it is desirable to use as small amounts as possible. At
the same time, it is essential that the cutting tool be supported in a strong, rigid manner to minimize
deflection and possible vibration. Lathe tools are supported in various types of heavy forged tool
holders. The tool bit should be clamped in the tool post with minimum overhang. Otherwise, tool chatter
and poor surface finish may result.