Lathe Rest Question?

[gjoffrionjr]

What do you all do to your rest so that your tools will slide better? I have been sanding mine and wondered if there is something better.

 

[beamer]

Until I get a nice spiffy stainless round-bar one, I have been using a file and then polishing it with my belt sander. After that I use paste wax and treat it like it were my table saw top.

 

[Rifleman1776]

My tool rest for pens is just an angle iron welded to the top of a post. I occasionally file the rest area to get rid of nicks. Other than that, I just use it.

 

[Russb]

Course sandpaper to get out any nicks and fine sandpaper to keep it smooth. Rubbing a household candle over the top may help.....

 

[exoticwo]

Keep the Rest smooth and polished to help your tool slide. You might also want to round over the edges of your tools that are made from Flat stock, these corners will catch even on smooth Tool Rests.

 

[Fred]

I polish mine with my rotary sander using an older used piece of 220 grit paper. This removes all the finishing materials and also the nicks. A quick wipe with a rag and a bit of WED-40 keeps it from rusting on me between using it. []