Tool post length

3/20/04, 2:34 PM #1

Guy
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Tool post length

Guy

>I need help trying to figure something out. Does anyone know if it is safe to use a slightly shorter tool rest post than what comes stock on a lathe? I have two Woodcraft tool rests I would like to use on my new lathe but the longest post they sell is 5 inch and the post my new lathe came with is 6 inches. I've already checked locally if someone could make me one but the cost for the posts alone is more than a T-bar complete system. I don't want to use too short a post and crack my banjo. Any suggestions? Thanks a bunch folks!!! Guy

Re: Tool post length

3/20/04, 2:41 PM #2

Phil Joines Krum, Texas
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Re: Tool post length

Phil Joines Krum, Texas

>As long as the locking bolt makes good contact with the post you will be fine.

Re: Tool post length

3/20/04, 3:05 PM #3

MP Wall
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Re: Tool post length

MP Wall

>I dont know if the problem would be the banjo so much as the fact that you will be presenting the tool quite a bit below center and making yourself prone to catches and making it more difficult to use certain tools. Could you not just either weld an extension on the bottom of the post or flatten the bottom of the post and tap it so that you could screw and extension on. You would need to have the extension flat and extension squared and tapped pretty carefully so that they meet square. Those are my two thoughts anyway. Goodluck and hope some plan works for you. MP Wall

Re: Tool post length

3/20/04, 7:48 PM #4

john lucas
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Registered: 1/1/04

Re: Tool post length

John Lucas

>I did exactly what MP suggested this morning. I Picked up a curved tool rest that was designed for a 12" lathe. I added 3" of extension. I welded a 3" extension made from 1" drill rod. Then I ground the weld down and slipped it in the banjo. I covered the shaft with blue marking dye and rotated the tool rest to see where it rubbed. I filed these places until it slipped on down.

Before I had the welder I drilled both pieces and tapped them for 3/8" x 16. Then I put these parts together with some 3/8"x16 all thread and epoxy. Sounds chinsy but I'm still using this tool rest.

Re: Tool post length

3/21/04, 11:22 AM #5

Doug Trembath
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Registered: 3/8/04

Re: Tool post length

Doug Trembath

>Guy, sounds like you may have picked the wrong shop or person to ask. My solution is to pick up a couple of remnants at the local steel distributor, and have a friend with a welder, or even stop at a small welding shop, and have them cut the pieces to size and weld them together. Seriously, we're talking about ten minutus of shop work here. Cold rolled steel makes a fine rest, and doesn't pit as badly as cast. I have used many, and made even more. If you can't find someone to do it for you around town, let me know and I'll figure out something here.

Doug Trembath

Studio in the Woods

Tool post length

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