Re: CNC Lathes, follow rests, and mass production...

A follower rest is strictly for supporting a flimsy bar such that it
doesn't deflect away from the tool. If there was no center in the end
of the bar, as soon as to tool moved out of contact with the bar, the
bar would be essentially free. That it wouldn't work is minor as
compared to the danger it would create for both machine and operator.

The earlier suggestion of a bar puller is a workable alternative, and
you can make your own easily by essentially making a collet a few
thousandths smaller than the bar and splitting it axially in about 6
places. Move the collet onto the bar end, release chuck, Z+ move to
pull the bar to position, close chuck, further Z+ move to pull collet
off the bar, and proceed with the next part. Even with a manual chuck
this can be more efficient than trying to pull a bar to a stop with
your fingers and close the chuck. If you do that, you still have to
program the stop to move into place, so its much simpler to use the
puller and let any burrs on the end of the bar chew on the collet
instead of on your fingers :)