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Tool rest base question

Hi folks, My lathe's tool rest base no longer locks so it can slide easily along the bed. I'm thinking this is not a good thing but haven't come up with any ideas to fix it. The lock bolt pushes a little brass plug onto the bed to lock it into position and guessing this plug might be stuck, I tried squirting some oil in the hole hoping it would free it up. Also stuck a rod thingie in the hole and tapped it lightly with a hammer. Neither did the trick and it still won't lock into position. Oh, the lathe is a no-frill 37" Canadian Tire jobbie. Looking forward to any suggestions, Thanks, Bart. P.S. turned my first bowl this week without any catches, yay!

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banjo bridges, tabs, stained glass:
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**may your moments of need be met by moments of compassion**
Reply to
Bart V
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Bart Sounds like you have one of those Canadian Tire single tube jobs. I have had one for seven or eight years and still use it for a lot of the spindle work. likely you have mushroomed the brass pin at the end of the bolt that tightens the banjo base. Not the five string, the lathe. Remove the end support of the tube and withdraw the banjo from the tube. Remove the locking screw. drift the mushroomed pin out of the the hole. Replace the brass pin with a 1/4" long piece of brass rod. Reassemble and keep on turning and picking, but not at the same time.

Reply to
Darrell Feltmate

yup, the one with the cheap & ugly yellow plastic handwheel to tighten the cup centre

I think you're right on the money there

now I'm loosing you - I'm turning this rim for a banjo, glued it on, I shouda bolted it on..?

Bart.

- Check my most up to date email address at:

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banjo bridges, tabs, stained glass:
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**may your moments of need be met by moments of compassion**
Reply to
Bart V

Bart I see from your site you pick a five string. However, the part of the lathe that holds the tool rest is also called a banjo. Someone likely knows why, but who cares? That banjo you bolt on, the other you hold however you can to turn it round. By the way, I replaced the ugly yellow thing with one made of maple. It has little holes that fit 5/16" Tommy bars to help tighten it.

Reply to
Darrell Feltmate

murmers of amazement, didn't know that (as a banjo player, quite a shocker really...) thanks for breaking it to me gently :)

cool!

Bart.

- Check my most up to date email address at:

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banjo bridges, tabs, stained glass:
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**may your moments of need be met by moments of compassion**
Reply to
Bart V

Hi Bart, A toolpost base is called a banjo because with misuse (I even remember Rudy Vallee!) it emits strange and unusual sounds. :) Aarragh! this from someone who fancies bagpipes? Arch

Fortiter,

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Reply to
Arch

LOL this is beautiful, might make it to the list:

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Aarragh! this from someone who fancies bagpipes? wisely staying out of that one ;) Bart.

- Check my most up to date email address at:

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banjo bridges, tabs, stained glass:
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**may your moments of need be met by moments of compassion**
Reply to
Bart V

on this one the metal thread is simply glued in the plastic wheel

Took the tailstock off and slid off the banjo (hard for me to say that with a straight face...) and looked at the brass plug - it was ground off real smooth at an angle. Put it back in upside down and it worked like a charm, it locks properly again and I feel a lot safer - thanks much for the suggestion.

Bart.

- Check my most up to date email address at:

formatting link
banjo bridges, tabs, stained glass:
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**may your moments of need be met by moments of compassion**
Reply to
Bart V

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