toolrest height

[rafezetter]

A new one to me here.. but I'm commissioning a new toolrest made (because the dimensions of it's mounting are different than all the ones I've seen on ebay), and I have given dimensions so that the toolrest height is about 10mm below the main axis of the lathe it's for, but with a shoulder so it will not go any lower so I'm not just relying on the bolt to hold it in place.

However it has just ocurred to me that I have no idea if lowering the toolrest below the spinning axis is a required function of it - for a technique I don't yet know about. Ones on ebay either have a stubby mounting point with shoulder, and a (I assume) long adjustable height slider.

Can anyone shed some light on this please?

.... news just in from brain... bowl turning. Ok apart from bowl turning are there any other reasons for a height slidy toolrest?

 

[CHJ]

You will quite often require to lower the tool rest further if you require to use a scraper well below centre on exterior surfaces.

If you don't you will be holding the scraper handle at an awkward elevated angle which will be difficult to control.

Also have enough stem to allow centreline and above positioning for internal work.

 

[Spindle]

Hi

I sometimes drill into the ends of square stock, (for dowels, tool tangs etc.), before turning - I use the tool rest to support the squares, a drill chuck in the headstock and the tailstock for alignment.

Personally I wouldn't restrict the range of movement of the rest - at some point I reckon you'll wish you hadn't.

Regards Mick

 

[Phil Pascoe]

Make sure before you have it made that the length of the post doesn't foul the bed of the lathe when the rest is set down a bit - or have two different ones.

 

[chipmunk]

This is just a thought but why not make yourself a collar with set screw rather than having the stem made with a step?
You could easily make one in wood if you haven't got any metalworking tools and if you use an M6 setscrew you could use a threaded insert like these....

That way you can see if your idea is a good one first.
HTH
Jon

 

[MCB]

This is just a thought but why not make yourself a collar with set screw rather than having the stem made with a step?
You could easily make one in wood if you haven't got any metalworking tools and if you use an M6 setscrew you could use a threaded insert like these....

That way you can see if your idea is a good one first.
HTH
Jon

I bought half a dozen big washers (from Orbital Ffasteners in Watford - they have washers with either Imperial or metric size holes) and thread as many as necessary of those on the stem of the toolrest.

MC