Tool rest shape

The traditional shape which leans into the work is the one which gives you closest support. Probably why it's the one that's survived the test of time. I really like the contour of my Nova 3000 rest, because it allows me to snuggle up close above center on convex cuts and below on concave. Sticks out far enough to clear the banjo base, too!

With the old Delta, which was not flat on top, but did lean in, I ground my tools to allow me to take the best cut with the shaft flat on the rest. Reground for the "new" lathe now.

I have all three types, leaning toward the work, vertical and round. The round type always moves the fulcrum further from the work. For some purposes this is ok, for some it makes a difference. On the whole, I like the leaning type better. All of my smaller ones are vertical and have had no problem with them.

Honestly, I've used both, and there isn't really that much difference. The only thing I'd suggest is that flat toolrests (and by "flat", I'm assuming you mean the standard sort that come with most lathes and not a square bar) are usually cast iron, and round ones tend to be steel. If you hit a cast iron toolrest hard enough with a spinning hunk of wood (say you're pushing it in before the blank is completely round and a corner hits it) it'll break and likely be useless. A steel one will be more likely to bend, and you've got a chance at bending it back.

Other than that, they're both fine.

On my mini 1014 I went to a 9" assymetric (3"-6") round steel and it made a huge difference in accessibility.

TomNie

In addition to the buffing supplies I asked about a week or so ago, another item has been added to my wish list. I have a Jet 12-36 and it serves my current needs admirably. However I would like to change the tool post and rest. Any opinions (boy, there's a question asking for it!) about the shape of the tool rest? Round perhaps like a piece of 1" round stock? Flat like a piece of angle iron? What works for those of you that have had both? Pros and cons of both? Thanks for the info.

Great info from the group.. gotta add my 2 cents, though..

I turn 5 or 6 days a week and have several types of rest.. flat top, round rod, etc...

The flat top ones work well for me in scraper type cuts but I'm not really as comfortable with them with gouges as with the traditional beveled rests that come with the lathes.. My lathe came with a 12" one and I've added a 6" and 4" also... (4" is mostly for pens or close work) Jet wanted way too much for them and I ended up buying the Delta rests on Amazon.. The Delta posts were about an inch too long for the Jet and had to be cut shorter.. Very easy, a few minutes with a hacksaw..

As George said, there must be a reason that this style has been the standard for so long..

I used a gift certificate to buy one of the "modular" sets, with posts for both the mini and 1442, but they're a PITA to change and the only one I really use is the box scraper rest..

mac

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You mean that it's easier to bend over the lathe now, Tom?

mac

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Hello Kevin,

Through the years, I've demonstrated on numerous lathes and I've owned several as well. I'm a production bowl turner and the tool rest on my Oneway

2436 is a very good design, but if I had to pick one design over all those I've turned on, it would be the Woodfast lathe tool rest.

I started out on a Woodfast 910V and just loved it... The tool rest had just the right amount of space to accommodate your finger behind the tool rest and under the shaft. It also had a gentle curve design on the top of the rest, that was a joy to use. Oneway's tool rest does not have enough of a curve in the shape of the tool rest (under the support ledge) to allow you to get your finger under the shaft as easily as the Woodfast.

You can buy Woodfast tool rests in two different sizes from several suppliers. Good luck to you and best wishes in all of your woodturning endeavours!

A while back there was much ado on rcw re the risk of injury to the hand when using right angled tool rests and one of us did sustain an injury. Since then triangular plugs have been used to fill in the angle. I don't know if this good, bad or indifferent. I also don't know which is better, a soft rest that doesn't ding the tool or a hard rest that doesn't let the tool ding it. :)

Years ago, Frank Pain suggested that we should consider a tool rest's line from its top by a viewing section from the side. He thought that the top of the rest should be an unbroken curve (similar to a quarter round) and not have separate fulcrums that would make for abrupt changes as the tool was lifted or lowered. Probably these types are now extinct, anyway.

Turn to Safety, Arch Fortiter

Mac,

No. What I was referring to is the frequent interference of the banjo as you begin to get near max diameter on bowls. The 6" side reaches over the ways with the banjo out of the way much better.

As far as round goes, just seemed smoother to use with gouges.

TomNie

On Tue, 11 Sep 2007 15:09:11 GMT, "Darrell Feltmate" wrote: yes yes yes always enjoy those videos and return to them when questions arise tks don

Hi Kevin I have a few pictures of home made too rests in on of my photo albums, I like my rest angled steep so the rest does not interfere with my turning tools, and flat, not round, though I do have a couple heavy duty curved round ones, but the longer distance of the fulcrum of the round tool rest to the wood, does make it a lot harder to control the tools. The flat tool rest gets the turning tool close to the wood, and there's also enough room under the rest to keep your fingers there if you need to do that. Have a look if you please.

Have fun and take care Leo Van Der Loo

Yeah, I knew that, Tom... I was just being a smart ass...

I have an old "French curve" rest that I use on larger bowls..

mac

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