protecting barrel on steady rest?
Whats everyone using to protect the finish on barrels while turning threads on the lathe/steady rest?
I run mine in a cathead that is pressed into a large double row precision bearing which is then supported by the steady rest. I have a big 2" slab of aluminum that one of these days I will bore out and press in the bearing/cathead and just make a dedicated barrel steady rest.
I tried the cathead just on the steadyrest fingers but it chattered a touch too much for my taste.
I used oiled leather at first before I made a cathead but sometimes it would deflect too much plus on a fine finish it will still damage it.
