"Tim Wescott" wrote in message
...
snip----

Would it also work to get it into the steady, mount the indicators to
your cross-slide and run it up and down the bed while checking the
indicators?

There is no better way to get a steady running properly than to do it while
the machine is running, much as Erik suggested. The problem with a steady
set up any other way is that you risk having the steady slightly off center,
which often results in the part walking out of your chuck.

To get a steady running properly, all you have to do is get your part in the
chuck, fairly well snugged, and have the steady in the desired position,
jaws slightly backed off. You don't even have to have the top of the steady
closed if you so desire. The part is highly unlikely to go anywhere while
you're adjusting the bottom two jaws, which you do under power at slow
speed. Do as Erik suggested, start tightening one of the jaws slowly,
stopping while you still feel the intermittent contact of the rotating part.
Go to the other jaw and do the same thing. At this point. very carefully
bring in one of the jaws until you feel it making constant contact. You'll
be able to feel it through the adjusting screw. Do this slowly so you don't
overshoot center. Do the same for the second jaw, then close the top and do
the same for the third. At this point you may wish to either tighten or
back off all three jaws ever so slightly to insure the proper amount of
running clearance, or lack thereof.

Setting up a steady by placing it next to the chuck and them moving it to
proper location is to be avoided.

Harold