# Supporting Long Stock

If you are using a long piece of stock on the metal lathe that extends through the headstock and then out into the walkway, make sure that the setup is secure and safe.

## Safety

If the workpiece is only supported at the chuck and extends far out behind the headstock, the unsupported part of the workpiece will drop off axis behind the headstock.

[![A long workpiece falling off-axis, and uncentered in the back of the headstock.](https://wiki.protohaven.org/uploads/images/gallery/2025-10/scaled-1680-/rZ6metal-lathe-off-axis-workpiece.jpeg)](https://wiki.protohaven.org/uploads/images/gallery/2025-10/rZ6metal-lathe-off-axis-workpiece.jpeg)

[![metal_lathe-unsupported.jpeg](https://wiki.protohaven.org/uploads/images/gallery/2025-10/scaled-1680-/metal-lathe-unsupported.jpeg)](https://wiki.protohaven.org/uploads/images/gallery/2025-10/metal-lathe-unsupported.jpeg)

Under rotation, the unsupported part of the workpiece will rotate off axis, and will develop a kink where it leaves the back of the head stock. The piece will bend out from the axis of rotation.

<p class="callout danger">A bent workpiece will spin like a helicopter blade behind the headstock of the metal lathe. This is a massive hazard to anyone and anything in the vicinity of the metal lathe.</p>

**Always secure long work pieces behind the headstock when using the metal lathe.** We want to support the workpiece so it stays centered on the lathe axis.

## Securing the Workpiece

To secure a long workpiece when using the metal lathe, you will need:

- a roller stand
- a large c-clamp
- optional: a rag

Secure the workpiece:

1. Use a roller stand to support the workpiece so that the workpiece is centered in the headstock, and parallel to the floor.  
    [![metal_lathe-supported.jpeg](https://wiki.protohaven.org/uploads/images/gallery/2025-10/scaled-1680-/metal-lathe-supported.jpeg)](https://wiki.protohaven.org/uploads/images/gallery/2025-10/metal-lathe-supported.jpeg)
2. <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Lock the roller stand height.</span>
3. Set up the roller stand so that the roller is skew from the workpiece.  
    [![metal_lathe-workpiece skew on roller.jpeg](https://wiki.protohaven.org/uploads/images/gallery/2025-10/scaled-1680-/Ozzmetal-lathe-workpiece-skew-on-roller.jpeg)](https://wiki.protohaven.org/uploads/images/gallery/2025-10/Ozzmetal-lathe-workpiece-skew-on-roller.jpeg)
4. Use a c-clamp to keep the work piece from lifting off the roller stand, with light but positive contact on the top of the workpiece.  
    *Do not preload excessive force on the top of the workpiece.*  
    [![metal_lathe-c_clamp_on_roller.jpeg](https://wiki.protohaven.org/uploads/images/gallery/2025-10/scaled-1680-/metal-lathe-c-clamp-on-roller.jpeg)](https://wiki.protohaven.org/uploads/images/gallery/2025-10/metal-lathe-c-clamp-on-roller.jpeg)
5. Rotate the stand so that the c-clamp keeps the work piece from drifting left or right across the roller, with light but positive contact on both sides of the workpiece.  
    *Do not preload excessive force on the sides of the workpiece.*  
    [![metal_lathe-c_clamp_snugged.jpeg](https://wiki.protohaven.org/uploads/images/gallery/2025-10/scaled-1680-/metal-lathe-c-clamp-snugged.jpeg)](https://wiki.protohaven.org/uploads/images/gallery/2025-10/metal-lathe-c-clamp-snugged.jpeg)
6. *Optional:* lightly place a rag in the back of the headstock around the part to further dampen vibrations.  
    [![metal_lathe-additional_stabilization_with_rag.jpeg](https://wiki.protohaven.org/uploads/images/gallery/2025-10/scaled-1680-/metal-lathe-additional-stabilization-with-rag.jpeg)](https://wiki.protohaven.org/uploads/images/gallery/2025-10/metal-lathe-additional-stabilization-with-rag.jpeg)
7. **Important Last Step:** Build a fort: place rolling carts around the area to keep other members from accidentally walking into the workpiece while the metal lathe is in use.

<p class="callout warning">While workpiece is turning, monitor the roller stand to make sure that the workpiece does not walk too far off axis, or there is a danger of the workpiece working out of the c-clamp.</p>