Knowledge You Can Build On — Est. 1998
gated tool rest
john Lucas
>I'm wondering why you use a gated tool rest. I've turned a lot of bowls,hollow vessels and everything else and never needed one. Am I missing something? I realize you might want one for coring but I'd like to know if there's a tool that I might need. I seldon pass up a chance to buy a new tool but I do have to justify it with a small need.
Re: gated tool rest
Mark Mandell - Gone Round In Jersey
>John,
The "gate" provides one or more pivot points which otherwise must be established by one of your hands against the rest, especially in rough cutting. The "posted rest" can be set so that it's a bit harder to run your tool tip past the midpoint of the piece where (you know) it will then be lifted up by the spinning piece and than slammed back down on the rest at the point of 180* of rotation from where you started. If you happen to have a digit in that landing zone . . . . If the tool happens to catch when in hits the rest . . . .
The Pro-Form hollower set really benefits from the Irons Tool Gate that Woodcut sells. It's basically a flat plate on a post holder with several holes that accomodate a U-shaped fixture that rotates but holds the tool shaft at a given set point. I also use mine when doing HF bottom cuts with scraper bitted tools, and find it's helpful. Been meaning to put a post on the short side of my 1" round-bar welded rest, but think I'll weld up a short 4" unit like those pictured instead.
M
Re: gated tool rest
Lyn J. Mangiameli
>I've been an advocate of gated systems for about 5 years.
Here's some of what I said for my Hollowing Tools survey:
A good gate greatly assists in delicate tool control, allows for leverage of the shaft against a sidewall (helpful when using the side of cutting tools), limits catches and prevents kickback from a tool which drifts out of position in the form, and can be positioned such that it will protect you from bumping tool shafts against the mouth of a fragile hollow form. The down side is that it often has to be repositioned to allow for the necessary tool approach angles, and is yet another item to purchase. For me these are inconsequential disadvantages compared to the many advantages.
I say a lot more, both generally, in comparison with pin rests, and about the specific devices in Part 5 of my Opinionated Survey of Hollowing Tools.
Re: gated tool rest
Dale Cook
>I made my own, just couldn't see spending 70 or 80 dollars on one.I really only use it for a little extra control on a small opening in case a catch or grab would bounce the tool around.
