modular tool rest question

Re: modular tool rest question

Jim D. Clayton, NJ

>I am not familiar with the one Lee Valley has but I own and use the one that Woodcraft carries. I am vary pleased with it.

Jim D.

Re: modular tool rest question

Jay in TX (formerly from Ohio)

>Ken,

I've never used the LEE VALLEY version of the modular system, but their products are of excellent quality (at least what I've ordered). I have a 4" and 6" modular rest at home that are my primary rests and they work very well. Although you can save yourself some shipping and get at least 2 threaded posts, it only took me a week to figure out the value of having at least 2.

Re: modular tool rest question *LINK*

John K Jordan

>I'm not familiar with the Lee Valley rests, but I use some from Best Wood Tools. (link below) It looks like they are more expensive but I like some of the features, such as the machined brass "trim ring".

One thing needs attention: The length of the post must fit your lathe. If it is too short or two tall, you will not be able to position the rest properly. (You can't expect a lathe with 24" swing to use the same height post as one with a 12" swing) I made the mistake of purchasing a tool rest once that had the right diameter post but was too short to work with my lathe.

The Lee Valley site indicates the posts are about 5" long. The Best Wood Tools people make a number of posts, each the correct length for a particular lathe.

One more thing - I hate changing the bars on the top of the posts. If you can afford it, a post for each support bar would make things a lot quicker.

BTW, I love using the little box rest.

JKJ in East TN


Best Wood Tools modular

Re: modular tool rest question

Mark Kauder, Phenix City, AL

>Ken,

In my opinion, BestWoodTools.com has the best and most extensive modular system.

With any of these systems, I would not buy ONE tool post and alot of rests, I would buy at least TWO tool posts and keep the most commonly used ones on them, and have the option of going to others as needed.

The other advantage of these modular system is when you have multiple lathes with different tool post sizes.

Mark

Re: modular tool rest question *LINK*

Gerry in Maryland

>The version that Lee Valley sells is made by Sorby. I have one and I am happy with it.

Gerry


Robert Sorby

Re: modular tool rest question

John Lucas

>I agree with Mark. I have several Bestwood tool rests and although I bought the first ones with only one tool post I ended up buying tool rest posts for each one. One thing I do like is being able to buy new tool posts if you buy a different lathe. That saved me quite a bit of money when I got my new lathe.

Re: modular tool rest question

Dick Parr

>It's a Sorby product and I am very happy with mine.

Dick

Re: modular tool rest question

Carole in VA

>Looks like I am the only one with the LV modular rest. I have the 9" straight and the internal bowl rest for my Jet mini and love them both. The 9" says you shouldn't use it with less than a one inch post, but I wanted it for spindles and have not had problem with it. Of course I haven't had any horrendous catches yet either while using it.

Re: modular tool rest question

Ruth in So. Cal

>I have the Best Woods and don't like it. I found that I would always get messed up at the point where the rest anchors to the post...probably the way I had it positioned to turn the bowl. Also, the rest has a tendency to come loose. I welded the rests to the posts to deal with the loosening problem, but seldom use them anyway because I don't like them. I have the large and small bowl rests.

Re: modular tool rest question

Bob in SW IL.

>Carole, I also have the LV 9" modular tool rest on the Mini Jet, I believe that is correct it is made by Sorby, no complaints love it, sure beats the original that came with the lathe.

Bob

Re: modular tool rest question

GeeSeaWhy

>I have the LV (Sorby) system with 4, 6 and 9" straight rests. The 6 & 9" are the rests I use most often. The 4" I got for things like lace bobbins but those are thin as well as short and the fat round rest won't get in as close as I'd like. The Woodcraft system is probably better for that.

I also have the S-shaped bowl rest and don't like it. It always blocks the tool shaft from going where I want it. Same with the curved Woodcraft rests I have - they curve so tightly the post gets in the way of the tool. A straight rest angled into the bowl works better than anything else I have.

Graeme