Est. 1998 — 27 years of woodworking knowledge
tool rests
Carol Reed, the Router Lady, Ramona, CA
>The tool rest on my mini is ridiculously short. Are there third party tool rests out there and what should I be looking for.
Remember, total novice here. Be very specific.
Carol, who can't wait for Sophie's BBQ and all the turnng lessons!
Re: tool rests
Kevin Kelly, West Va
>I got tired of the 6' rest on my Mercury, too. Bestwoodtools.com has a modular system that's really nice. (Packard Woodworks sells the same kind, but they were out of what i needed at the time.) They also were the only ones i found who had a post specifically sized for the Mercury. I got the 9" but may order a 12 as well.
Re: tool rests
two ton tommy
>I purchased a 12" tool rest that fits Jet And Delta mini's from Penn State. It is not very substancial but for most of what you would need a tool rest this size for on a mini (spindle turning)it is adequate. Very affordable. I also purchased a 8" modular unit for Lee Valley. I purchased the post for the mini and a post for 12 x 36 Jet. I simply use the 8" bar on both.
Re: tool rests
Chuck Ludwigsen
>I just happened to receive my modular toolrest yesterday. It is the one that BestWoodTools makes, however I got mine through The Woodturners Catalog (Craft Supplies USA). Upon inspection, this was probably one of the finest machining jobs I have seen on a commercial product in some time. This is no cheap import.
They have a wide array of posts so check them out. I got the 3"-6" offset bar and a tool post. I will add the curved rests as money allows.
Here is a link to BestWoodTools
Chuck in Memphis, TN.
Re: tool rests
Mark Kauder, Phenix City, AL
>Carol,
I whole heartedly agree that the BestWoodTools rest are about as good as you can get for a Mini. I have 4 of their rests. I have the Large Box Rest, the Adjustable Bowl Rest, an offset 3/6 9" rest, and I have a 12" long 1" dia straigt rest. They are great.
You can get them from the Website, or Packard has a large selection of them.
Mark
Re: tool rests
Sean Troy
>Try www.woodturningtools.net they have an aftermarket rest for the mini, Sean
Re: tool rests
RPE
>If you know someone who can weld, you will be big bucks ahead. I orderd a 36" piece of 1" drill rod from Enco. I had three rest made from it. The rod cost $21 delivered, and a bowl or two for the welder!
I had a curved rest (for outside bowls) made, a 6" straight and an extension for a curved rest for interior bowl turning.
RP
Re: tool rests
Chuck Ludwigsen
>Thanks Ryan. It helps if I put the 'http://' in it.
RP - Which Drill Rod?
George Van
>RP
Which drill rod did you order. i do not know the differance between oil,air,and water harden?
Thanks, George
Oil Hardening *LINK*
Jay in Ohio
>George,
Get yourself some O-1 and read at this link...
Regards,
~Jay
Reverend Ron's DIY Heat Treating
Re: RP - Which Drill Rod?
RPE
>George,
I got the water hardened.
RP
Should've read...get the cheapest stuff
Jay in Ohio
>George,
Unfortunately I didn't read the thread before firing off a response. You'll probably be using this stuff in its original state from the supplier. At that point its usually in an annealed, or soft state. Any of them will work well for toolrests, as long as they can be easily welded with whatever means you have available.
Regards,
~Jay Kilpatrick...take out the "1" for email
Re: Should've read...get the cheapest stuff
George Van
>Thanks Jay and RP.
George
Re: tool rests *LINK*
Garrett in Victoria BC CA
>Perhaps more than you want to know, but Lyn Mangiameli has a comprehensive review of tool rests on WoodCentral's Articles & Reviews. Follow the link.
Cheers, Garrett
Tool Rests