rockler lathe tool holder

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darcisowers

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Has anyone used this, or something like it?

http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?page=22632

My main concern with this holder is whether it will get in the way once all the tools are in there...

Right now, my tools are in a box on the floor, with each one slipped into it's own PVC "shield", except my top 3 tools are resting under the lathe, because they are used most frequently.

my only other thought is to build some kind of holder to mount on the wall behind my lathe...

:biggrin:
 
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It doesn't look big enough nor sturdy enough to hold all the 'stuff' we usually put by our lathes. I made a simple rolling cart and drilled the correct sized holes in it to hold all of my tools, and then I also have a place to put all of my 'stuff' like glue, wax, CA, BLO, etc.
 
All depends on where/how you mount it.

The pictures show it mounted on the lathe itself. I could imagine that being a problem if you have a mini-lathe and want to make longer items. But there's no law requiring you to mount it on the lathe. YMMV, but in my case I could see it mounted on the table holding the lathe.

Actually, my solution to this problem is a series of clips mounted on a board on the wall behind the lathe. Eight clips cost about $10 - much less expensive than this solution, but not as elegant.
 
I have a bunch of wire baskets mounted to the wall (pegboard) behind my lathe for holding glue, CA, sandpaper, etc; so it's just the tools that I need to contain. :biggrin:

Louie, I'd love to see a picture of your clips in action....

if my lathe/table/area wasn't so dirty I'd go get a picture of my setup... :eek:
 
Darci, what kind of a lathe do you have?

I think trying to use this on a Jet mini for instance, would be futile.

Do you drill on the lathe? I would imagine it would constantly be in the way if that were the case. :eek:

Now if it was a full size lathe (or mini with the extension) maybe it could work for you. :confused:
 
I have the jet mini. haven't started drilling on the lathe, but we did get the chuck... so that may be the "deal breaker".

I saw this at Rockler over the weekend and wondered if anyone actually used it. :biggrin:
 
I doubt that any serious turner would find this Rockler device to be handy. It looks clumsy at best and IF you have any long tools then the thing is not high enough to turn and be 'handy!'

For my $30 plus any shipping costs, etc., I would make one myself. (A lot cheaper as well)

I went to the local burger joint and asked if they any pickle buckets. Yep, several were available for the asking. SO I got three and brought them home. Washed them out with vinegar and water and eliminated the pickle smell.

I then cut several lengths of PVC (1" I believe). I cut a plywood disc to fit down inside the bucket by about 4" and drilled 8 equally spaced holes to accept the PVC. I mixed up enough plaster of Paris to fill the bottom up by three inches and poured it into the bucket. I secured the disk in place. Then I pushed the PVC tubes through the holes in the disc and down into the plaster of Paris being careful to keep them as vertical as possible and set the contraption aside for the night so the plaster would set up. BTW, the PVC extends about 3" above the plywood disc and the handles are stopped on most of my tools prior to the cutting edge hitting the plaster. The tools just 'hang' in place basically.

Next day I cut 8 pieces of foam rubber, oiled them very lightly with WD-40, and used each tool I had to push the foam rubber down into each PVC tube. This will protect the cutting tips when placed into the PVC.

I placed each tool into a PVC tube and grabbed the bucket handle and placed it wherever I so desire it to be useful. IT is so easy to pick it up and travel around, the tips are comfortably protected, and the plaster weight does not allow it to be easily turned over at demos, etc. AND it is heavy enough that somebody isn't going to walk off with it un-noticed.

Total cost $0.00 as I had everything on-hand from previous projects. I was going to eat anyway so the hamburger was refreshing and I was off to a good start. REWARDS - PRICELESS.

ONE REMINDER ... DO not put your tools in something like this with the SHARP edges up. IF you do then somebody is going to get cut rather badly. A skew is just one sharp edge and carbide is another. The rest, well they are just waiting to get ya!
 
This was something I put together for my second lathe.

It is made out of oak and you could probably hang a Buick from it.

007.jpg

If you don't have the means to make 1 yourself. Maybe you have something to offer as a trade and I will make one to meet your needs. Also If you have any questions on building 1 please ask.


Mike
 
I kind of did the same thing for mine. I have one on each end and I can keep pretty much everything at hand. Used some scrap plywood I had around and a little bit of time. Price was right for me.
 

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Nothing

If you are at all like I am then that tool would be something for your next yard sale....Here is my view.

1. if you really need and would use something like that - you've probably already made it.

2. the only tools that would stay in it would be the ones you never use anyway. The rest would wind up laying around next to the lathe like they do now.

3. the tools are in sight and hence a temtation if you have little kids or little grandkids that walk through the shop on occasion.

4. just as soon as you put something near or attatch something to your lathe you'll decide that you really need to turn a project where it will be in the way.

5. if you are a truely well organized person, you wouldn't really even need to ask about that thing....you'd know at a glance whether or not it fit your plans....and you would have plans.
 
I kind of did the same thing for mine. I have one on each end and I can keep pretty much everything at hand. Used some scrap plywood I had around and a little bit of time. Price was right for me.

Robert, I think you are like me in that you don't bother changing lathe speed very often? :smile:
 
I have one but it was the one built for drill bits and I use it to this day. The thing that I like about it it swings out of the way. but what I did was drilled a hole at the end of my bed and put it in.
 
Darci, did you see Dave's tool holder when everyone was here? A piece of plywood bolted to the end of the stand with some holes drilled in it for the tools. Kim and I just made one so if you want pictures/design let me know. I also have one for wall mount (the one under my little lathe).

Lot's of ideas if you want to talk.
GK
 
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