AWGB Woodturning Forum

General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: willstewart on October 08, 2019, 10:44:49 AM

Title: Tool rests
Post by: willstewart on October 08, 2019, 10:44:49 AM
I am looking for opinions on the best types - my lathe came with traditional cast, shaped rests that reach out to the piece with a shaped 'blade'.  These work fine at first but seem to be made of fairly soft metal and thus to acquire a 'ripple' on the resting surface from intermittent tool pressure, for example when rounding or turning complex shapes.  This can make it tricky to move the tool smoothly along the rest. I have ground the rest surface level again and know friends who have done the same, but this does not look like a sustainable solution.  But I also have seen and now acquired a round steel bar type tool rest that looks to be made of much harder metal and is reported not to have this problem, though it does result in the tool support point being necessarily a bit further from the piece being worked.

What is other people's experience here?
Title: Re: Tool rests
Post by: Lazurus on October 08, 2019, 03:12:55 PM
I use the standard rests that came with the VB36, they are of steel and reasonably hard, when they get marked I just dress with emery cloth or a fine file - never had any isues with the standard shape.
Title: Re: Tool rests
Post by: John Plater on October 08, 2019, 03:43:52 PM
I was given to understand that cast metal tool rests are softer but able to accept the shock loading when in use. A harder metal might be more brittle. I use both types of tool rest, typically the standard type on the outside of a piece and the round bar on the inside for ease of access.
ATB John
Title: Re: Tool rests
Post by: happy amateur on October 08, 2019, 04:42:29 PM
Would it be possible to have a steel rod welded to the original tool rest.

Fred Taylor
Orchard-woodturners.org.uk
Title: Re: Tool rests
Post by: willstewart on October 08, 2019, 05:12:16 PM
Thanks for the replies! 

This does tend to confirm the issue - yes one can re-dress the conventional tool rest, and sometime someone could produce one with a rod fixed on top, but meanwhile the rod version seems worth using for the moment.  I doubt it is very fragile (but anyone who has broken one please say!) - not only is it pretty thick & solid but also I think of the same material as the supporting post on the standard rest anyway.
Title: Re: Tool rests
Post by: burywoodturners on October 08, 2019, 05:29:44 PM
My son-in-law is a welder and has made tool rests for me, and for a club member. Mie was 1" tube ent for bowl work and one was for my meber and was made from 1" bright steel bar. He is very pleased with the rest.
Ron
Title: Re: Tool rests
Post by: seventhdevil on October 08, 2019, 06:19:59 PM
Thanks for the replies! 

This does tend to confirm the issue - yes one can re-dress the conventional tool rest, and sometime someone could produce one with a rod fixed on top, but meanwhile the rod version seems worth using for the moment.  I doubt it is very fragile (but anyone who has broken one please say!) - not only is it pretty thick & solid but also I think of the same material as the supporting post on the standard rest anyway.


there already is that option available to you.

look up Robust toolrests.
https://www.philironswoodturning.co.uk/lathes/robust-lathes/robust/68/robust-toolrest-price-list

you may think they are expensive but they are the best investment i've ever made.
Title: Re: Tool rests
Post by: The Bowler Hatted Turner on October 08, 2019, 07:10:12 PM
Will it sounds to me that this is a recurring problem with you. May I suggest that you have either been very unlucky with your tool rest, so perhaps an exchange is in order if you have a new lathe or perhaps you should look at the way you handle your tools. If you find you are getting a lot of tool chatter you could try moving the tool rest closer to the work, After many years with my tool rest, having to occasionally draw file it, there is still plenty of "meat" on it but despite all of the turning I do I have never formed a ripple on the tool rest.
Title: Re: Tool rests
Post by: bodrighywood on October 08, 2019, 07:35:43 PM
I get the odd dent in mine but that s because I have a bad habit of tapping it with the tool to get rid of shavings and dust. My fault and like John, a quick going over with a file and it's back to normal again.

Pete
Title: Re: Tool rests
Post by: michaelb on October 08, 2019, 09:05:25 PM
a quick going over with a file and it's back to normal

Agree with Pete

but just add,  rub candle over rest , tool moves freely no snags
Title: Re: Tool rests
Post by: JollyJim on October 09, 2019, 07:44:02 AM
Has anyone made toolposts/toolrests from hardwood ?

regards - Jim
Title: Re: Tool rests
Post by: bodrighywood on October 09, 2019, 08:42:04 AM
Has anyone made toolposts/toolrests from hardwood ?

regards - Jim

I made a temporary one for a lathe I used to have to do some long spindle work. Worked OK for the job but doubt it would have been any use long term.

Pete
Title: Re: Tool rests
Post by: Dancie on October 09, 2019, 08:54:33 AM
Stiles and Bates make steel tool rests and, as far as I remember, will adjust the design and length to suit customers requirements
Title: Re: Tool rests
Post by: willstewart on October 09, 2019, 09:19:35 AM
Thanks for the replies! 

This does tend to confirm the issue - yes one can re-dress the conventional tool rest, and sometime someone could produce one with a rod fixed on top, but meanwhile the rod version seems worth using for the moment.  I doubt it is very fragile (but anyone who has broken one please say!) - not only is it pretty thick & solid but also I think of the same material as the supporting post on the standard rest anyway.


there already is that option available to you.

look up Robust toolrests.
https://www.philironswoodturning.co.uk/lathes/robust-lathes/robust/68/robust-toolrest-price-list

you may think they are expensive but they are the best investment i've ever made.

Thanks!  Indeed not cheap but look ideal.  I may continue with my new (Axminster) single bar design for the moment and see how I get on.

I am not sure that I do anything particular to mark my old tool rest, though awkward shaped starting pieces like burrs must contribute.  I do not knock my tools on the rest to clear them! I more often use the lathe bed which does not seem to mark (but I tap quite lightly). I agree one can file off the ripples quite easily, albeit reducing the rest a bit each time, but this feels a bit Heath Robinson to me!
Title: Re: Tool rests
Post by: bodrighywood on October 09, 2019, 10:51:49 AM

but this feels a bit Heath Robinson to me!

A heck of a lot cheaper though LOL.

Pete
Title: Re: Tool rests
Post by: Twisted Trees on October 09, 2019, 01:35:21 PM
I am a great believer in Libron Lubricating Wax, my tool rests, lathe bed, various threads, bandsaw table, router table etc all have a coating of it. Stops wet wood causing rust, and keeps everything nicely mobile.

That being said, my Myford Mystro in use since 1996 which I have recently sold had the original toolrest with it, which I and presumably the previous owner had redressed from time to time with a file was still in good order with plenty of metal left.

All instructors in real time or DVD say that turning should not be a struggle with the tools but  a light almost self supporting touch, so those with bad habits get yourself a well placed block of wood for knocking the shavings out of the flute, those who are wearing out cast iron by levering chisels into timber may want to relax a bit :)
Title: Re: Tool rests
Post by: The Bowler Hatted Turner on October 09, 2019, 06:50:50 PM
Might feel Heath Robinson but it is a method that has been used for many years. Jolly Jim the pole lathe turners use wooden tool rests all the time.
Title: Re: Tool rests
Post by: seventhdevil on October 09, 2019, 06:55:47 PM
i've just checked and my robust tool rests are 4 1/2 years old and i use the 15" straight one every day and there is not a mark on the hardened rod.
Title: Re: Tool rests
Post by: JollyJim on October 10, 2019, 12:00:34 AM

Thanks Bodrighywood and BHT for replying to mine. I might try it out, I could do with just a
short rest, maybe 3inches or so, and see how I get on. It might be that I just make the post from wood and the rest itself, from metal. I've seen some drawer pulls in BQ that might do the job. I'll let you know if I get anywhere with the idea - thanks again

regards - Jim

ps to Bodrighywood, if it's not being too nosey, could you say what the origin of your name is and how it's
pronounced?- I'm intrigued.......cheers

Title: Re: Tool rests
Post by: bodrighywood on October 10, 2019, 08:00:06 AM



ps to Bodrighywood, if it's not being too nosey, could you say what the origin of your name is and how it's
pronounced?- I'm intrigued.......cheers

Bodrighy is the name of the house I was born in in a little village called Cadgwith down on the Lizard a few years ag. Wood becaause I work in wood. It is pronounced Bod-ree-gee (as in geek) .

Pete

Title: Re: Tool rests
Post by: seventhdevil on October 10, 2019, 09:29:08 AM
i've always pronounced it as "Pete"...
Title: Re: Tool rests
Post by: The Bowler Hatted Turner on October 10, 2019, 09:32:19 AM
Gorgeous house Pete, didn't know you were so minted!! ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Tool rests
Post by: bodrighywood on October 10, 2019, 10:00:25 AM
Gorgeous house Pete, didn't know you were so minted!! ;D ;D ;D

I'm not. That one burnt down in the '60's and I am afraid I couldn't afford to live in the village now let alone in Bodrigy LOL.

Pete
Title: Re: Tool rests
Post by: julcle on October 10, 2019, 11:17:21 AM
Don't know the house Pete but used to go to Cadgwith regularly when I was a wee lad in Helston.
Title: Re: Tool rests
Post by: JollyJim on October 10, 2019, 07:42:02 PM


Thanks Pete - amazing story !!!!!

Best wishes - Jim :) :) :) :)
Title: Re: Tool rests
Post by: Lazurus on October 11, 2019, 12:10:24 PM
As an aside, if your tool rest really is that soft maybe a length of 10mm or similar rod welded to the top may assist. Any fabricator or hobby welder should be able to make tool rest to your requirements, it quite a simple job with a mig or tig welder.
Title: Re: Tool rests
Post by: Mike313 on October 11, 2019, 05:33:47 PM
"As an aside, if your tool rest really is that soft maybe a length of 10mm or similar rod welded to the top may assist. Any fabricator or hobby welder should be able to make tool rest to your requirements, it quite a simple job with a mig or tig welder"

Do you think it might be necessary to grind the top flat afterwards to remove any deformation of the bar due to welding? My gut feeling is that a new tool rest made completely out of (let's say) 1" bar (or whatever diameter fits the banjo) would be easier and better?
Title: Re: Tool rests
Post by: Lazurus on October 11, 2019, 06:08:48 PM
I do a bit of welding in both Mig and Tig and no I dont think deformation would be an issue in those sizes if welded correctly, the round bar could initially be tacked in place for you to try it and any alterations made before adding a few beads to make it more permanaent with either method.
Title: Re: Tool rests
Post by: Lazurus on October 11, 2019, 06:13:36 PM
https://www.homemadetools.net/homemade-lathe-tool-rest-7

Shows a home made rest using flat stock instead of bar - i quite like this one
Title: Re: Tool rests
Post by: Stew on October 12, 2019, 07:57:44 AM
It would be little extra cost to switch the steel used to something hardenable if home making. For anyone that needs, I have an electric heat treat oven. .
Title: Re: Tool rests
Post by: burywoodturners on October 12, 2019, 04:41:29 PM
I made this one when I made a Windsor chair for myself. Wooden banjo's with a wood strip to which I added a length of angle iron.The white strip is masking tape with all the measurements written on.
Ron
(http://)
Title: Re: Tool rests
Post by: Twisted Trees on October 12, 2019, 05:01:17 PM
That is excellent Ron, worth cross posting that picture in "Show us your Home made jigs and racks" perfect use for story board and custom toolrest  where the time to make the jig was less than the time to work it individually (often isn't in my workshop sometimes I could make 9 legs in the time it takes to make the jig plus 4! ) :)
Title: Re: Tool rests
Post by: willstewart on October 12, 2019, 05:30:43 PM
Ron's version looks excellent to me.  Great replies and advice here!  I have now been using a simple hard steel rod tool rest from Axminster (not very expensive) and it seems fine and unmarked so far, but the wax idea may be worth a try.
Title: Re: Tool rests
Post by: hughie on October 22, 2019, 01:34:49 PM
I find these days many of the cast iron tool rests are what they used to be. So for me I have both round and square approx 25mm in cross section these have proved to be very durable along with minimal vibration.
The only challenge was bending them into the various curves I wanted, ended up borrowing a 25 ton hydraulic press to get it all done.
Title: Re: Tool rests
Post by: burywoodturners on October 22, 2019, 05:45:27 PM
Thank you every one for the comments on my tool rest, it works well and saves a lot of time constantly  moving the banjo.
Ron