Tool Rests in General

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jttheclockman

jttheclockman

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I did not want to hijack the post on the Jet tool rest but it brought up a question I asked on another forum but they were mainly big time turners in the fact they turn larger items. Ithought it would be interesting to ask the pen turners and small piece turners what type tool rest they prefer. I recently swithed to the round bar type and it took some learning but I still like the flat type where there is a finger groove. The problem was the nicks and the tools not sliding evenly. There is supposedly a company that has a combination of the two and thought i might find them and give them a try. Any thoughts as to the type you use and why??? What size or sizes do you have and like to use??? Thanks in advance for the replys.
 
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I recently received my 6 inch Comfort Tool Rest from Robust Lathe.
http://robustlathe.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=7

I have several different tool rests including the round stainless steel modular rest.

The difference is amazing. The Comfort Tool Rest improves tool control noticeably.
I am able to get closer to the work and the ergonomic design combined with the hardened steel rod makes a big difference.

I would certainly look at this to improve your turning.

Larry
 
I'm just using the flat one that came with my Jet. I just occassionally use a file on it to get rid of the nicks and even use a little wax on it to keep the tool moving smoothly. In a minute or two it works like new again.
 
I just tack weld a 1/8" rod to the stock rest. If it gets nicked, just change to a new rod.
 
I'm trying to get time to make a 2-1/2 in tool rest, for turning between centers, I don't like keeping my rest too far away from my work piece. And I have to find some one to weld it,I can machine everything but no arc or tig!
 
We have a member here, Lamar Sherrill, who offered some time ago tool rests that were interchangeable. They were made from solid round stock and the different rests could be screwed onto the post. These are incredible. I have a 3 and 6 inch rest and I love it!! The short one is great for mandrel less turning when one is doing a barrel at a time or pens like the Sierra, the six in rest is perfect for standard mandrel-turned pens.
 
Comfort Tool Rest is good stuff!

I bought a 6" Comfort Tool Rest with the 5/8" post to fit my Jet 1014VS. This is a huge improvement over the stock rest because of the stainless steel rod that is epoxied at the top edge of the tool rest. It stays ding-free, and I can really ride my skew across it with good pressure without any wear on either surface. I like the curve for the finger room, too.

These are about $48., but it's one of those vital pieces to the turning process. (A lot of "vital" pieces, aren't there...??!!!)

You could probably epoxy a 3/16" stainless rod to your stock Jet tool rest as a least-cost upgrade.
 

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I had my BIL make me these before he went back to Oklahoma. Simple round stock I picked up at Ace and a half hour of welding and grinding. I love them.
 

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BruceA said:
I bought a 6" Comfort Tool Rest with the 5/8" post to fit my Jet 1014VS. This is a huge improvement over the stock rest because of the stainless steel rod that is epoxied at the top edge of the tool rest. It stays ding-free, and I can really ride my skew across it with good pressure without any wear on either surface. I like the curve for the finger room, too.

These are about $48., but it's one of those vital pieces to the turning process. (A lot of "vital" pieces, aren't there...??!!!)

You could probably epoxy a 3/16" stainless rod to your stock Jet tool rest as a least-cost upgrade.
Click to expand...

These Comfort Tool Rests look a lot like the Nova Tool Rests, only they come in more sizes. I wonder if Nova subs them out to these guys.
 
When I broke the stock tool rest on my 1014, I bought the set of round bards that PSI offered.. should have done some more research, but was in the middle of getting ready for a show and got the first one I found.... as said, it took some getting used to and at first didn't think I would like the round bars, but have come to like them and even got a set for the 1442.... problem with that is I can't get as close to the work as I would like- there's no offset and the banjo doesn't go far enough under the work.... and the post I bought feels too high... needs to be cut down when I get the energy and some method of hacksawing off a 1" piece of steel.
 
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