Long Tool Rest for Turning Spindles

[derekcohen]

I have just completed a new tool rest for my Jet mini lathe. I have been using this lathe for tool handles and spindles for tables and chairs for about 10 years. A good friend of mine, Chris Vesper (toolmaker extraordinaire) made a longer tool rest (than the original) for me, but it is still too short, and too inconvenient, for long spindles ...

As you can see, I have the extension bed, and the Jet has been all I have needed for all these years. However, now I am more serious about turning spindles for chair legs ... and at this point those who get to this point all seem to build a longer tool rest.

I tried to find another banjo to pair with the Jet one, but there is simply nothing available used, and a new one is nearly as much as the lathe cost me! So I decided to build it all.

The fence is made of Jarrah, which is very hard and heavy, and is capped with a 5/8" mild steel tube.

The Jarrah rail is tapered, and the tube is set into a hollow ...

The banjos are also Jarrah, and adjustable for height and able to slide back-and-forth. The curve under the rail is not just for aesthetics, but also enables a hand to reach inside for adjustments ...

While I was at it, I took the time to reorganise my chisels for easier access ...

Regards from Perth

Derek

 

[Michael Kellough]

Looks good but it would be better if the steel was harder. Rather than replacing with a long piece of hardened drill rod (or just a length of cold rolled solid rod) you could make a sliding saddle (of something hard) with a smooth notch for the cutting tool's shaft. The saddle could sit on the existing steel tube or the wood. And there are much fancier options up to and including motorized.

 

[derekcohen]

Michael, the dent resistance is my only concern. Time will tell (I am about to turn several long stool legs), but the tube is easy to replace.

Regards from Perth

Derek