Curved Tool Rests

Hi Ruth I bought the cast iron curved rest from Craft Supplies and I use it on just about every bowl I turn. It allows me to position the rest much closer to the inside of the bowl than a standard straight rest. This is very helpful when working with both gouges and scrapers. Travis

I have the curved "bowl" toolrest from Woodcraft and don't use it much. I find that the 'hub' in the center to be quite annoying and in the way when I'm trying to get a good curved 'final' cut. It is handy when trying to get to the bottom of a bowl with very little tool-overhang but not when trying to do one last final continuous cut. Maybe I haven't learned how to use it properly.

mike

I have one from Best Wood Tools. The make several overhang lengths, plus and adjustable one. I will admit that I seldom use it. The only time I find it useful is on very grabby woods like green oak and when using a scrapper. For bowl gouges I find that the tool position is less comfortable and doesn't buy me any real advantage.

-- Rusty Myers Austin, TX

..."I've got several but the one's I like best (by far) are the Delta curved rests that Packard sells. I've got both the inside & outside curves and use them both extensively."

************************** Larry, do you have a Oneway? Several turners have said they are real good and I was wondering how they might compare to the Delta besides being more expensive. : )

Ruth

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I'll chime in a bit here but keep in mind that I am a bit biased in my answers as we make curved toolrests. If you do a lot of bowls you should not be without a curved toolrest, especially an external rest. It is the only way to safely turn the outside of a bowl from foot to rim in one pass and doing it in one shot is the easiest way to get a good curve. As you get to be a better turner they become more and more useful. When you are doing the inside of a bowl you rarely can turn from rim to bottom because of vibration issues but inside they are much safer and give much better tool control. regards Kevin Clay Oneway Manufacturing

I heard a really good comment about curved toolrests from Dave Lancaster at the Pasadena AAW symposium. A spindle turner would never use a curved toolrest so why should a bowl turner use a straight one?

Unless you got one of those Oneway steadies from the family. It, a curved rest for minimum overhang and a light touch seem all that's required.

I know it's not in your best interests, but is there a chance you'll market the spindle steady for the same post? Your rests are better than any of my jury rigs.

. When you are doing the inside of a bowl you rarely can turn