I have a 10+ year old Nova DVR. the handle on the tool rest post is essentially horizontal when it's locked. It appears to be basically a bolt that press against the side of the post. I think I would like it better if the handle were vertical.
So, If I grind off about a quarter of a thread pitch, it should be about vertical. Right? Now, is that a good thing to do? Do any of you prefer a particular position for the locking handle? Is the end hardened? Would there be damage from grinding it off?
As john said you can buy threaded handles that have a spring loaded adjuster. You just pull the handle out against the spring and change.the angle and let it drop back in place. There is an internal gear.that allows for repositioning. I may possibly have one if you can tell me the size. Its probably metric. I.think.Woodcraft.sells them but they are probably english thread.
I thought about a washer/spacer but it would fall out every time I removed the tool rest. As i was typing this it dawned on me I could try it and see if I like it or it's worthwhile to fiddle more. The second part of the problem is that the two handles on the banjo tend to touch each other or are two close together. I think I will go play with it.
>>>I thought about a washer/spacer but it would fall out every time I removed the tool rest.
I think you would put the (thin) washer on handle bolt on the outside of the banjo where it wouldn't fall off. If the shape or construction didn't easily allow this you might remove a little metal on the casting to make the handle move a bit further. But it would be far better to use the adjustable handle - I can't remember seeing a lathe without one in at least a decade.
Another thing you could do is replace the existing handle with a simple bolt. Tack weld an old wrench or handle on to the end of the bolt to give you the exact angle you want.
Or grind of a tad off the end of the handle bolt inside where it contacts the post so the handle would rotate a bit further. This is more trouble to reverse and may not work if there is not enough thread. A space or just a small bead could be welded or brazed on the tip of the bolt to make the handle stop in the other direction. (Just a small glob of brass on the end might be enough) If you don't have metal-working capability maybe you have a friend.
I believe this is what most of us have on our tool rest holders that locks against the tool rest post-or at least something similar. They can often be found in hardware stores and big box hardware sections.
Just to try it, I put a washer in between the post and the "screw" and It made the handle vertical instead of horizontal. That will let me play a while and see if this is worth pursuing. I could just epoxy the washer in place if I like it. I will also look for an adjustable handle. Thanks for the help.
I have a similar Nova DVR and have been annoyed that the handles for locking the banjo and tool rest intersect each other. They always seemed to be in the way of each other. The handle for the banjo is locked in a horizontal position and unlocked in a vertical position. When the banjo handle is vertical position it interferes with tool rest handle use. Since I had to tighten the banjo handle (move to the horizontal position) to adjust the tool post, I finally just learned to try to get the banjo where I wanted it, then loosely tighten it and adjust the tool rest. Then I would make an final adjustment to the banjo. This would leave the tool rest handle at a 45 degree angle. The handle for the banjo clears the tool rest handle at that angle. While it was at first awkward, now I do it without thinking about it. I fact have not thought about it for months until I saw this post.
Are they stacked on top of one another. On my Powermatic the banjo lock is on the end and the tool rest lock is on the right. well actually there are two tool rest locks, one on the end and one on the right. If they are inline and interfere with each other can you drill and tap a hole on the side for the tool post lock and move the handle there.
Not sure if the Nova banjo works differently than the banjos on most lathes. Most banjos that I've encountered work with an eccentric cam that locks/loosens by making slight changes to the clamping block that slides below the bed. The clamping block is held in place and adjusted with a locking nut or pair of nuts. By loosening (or tightening) the(se) nuts you can change the position of your handle. I have mine adjusted (on a General 260) so that it locks anywhere in the lower 180 degrees (relative to the bed) most of the time, but if I want to move it really close I can lock it in the upper 180 degrees position...opposite of my tool rest locking handle position.
This adjustment may take several tries to get it to where you satisfied. Sometimes a 1/4 or 1/2 turn is all that is needed. Hope this may help!
Banjo locks are normally but not always different than the tool post lock. Most of the more modern lathes have an offcenter cam kind of system to lock the banjo. they usually have a nut of some sort under the lathe to adjust the locking mechanism which changes the location of the handle when it's locked. Some are easier than others.
Most tool post locks are just a bolt attached to a handle that screws in against the tool post to lock it. Most lathes I've worked on have a spring loaded adjustable handle. The new Powermatic 3520C has a split cam that is pulled against the tool post and is very positive. A definite improvement over the older system. The Powermatic 2442 has a split casting that is squeezed together to hold the tool post. Another good system.
"Banjo locks are normally but not always different than the tool post lock. Most of the more modern lathes have an offcenter cam kind of system to lock the banjo. they usually have a nut of some sort under the lathe to adjust the locking mechanism which changes the location of the handle when it's locked. Some are easier than others. "
That is exactly what I'm talking about! An adjustment here would change the position of the banjo's locking handle. The OP's original concern was about the handles (banjo and tool post) interfering with each other.
I have a Nova DVR 3000 and I have absolutely no conflict with the banjo locking arm and the tool rest tightening arm and the XP looks exactly the same to me.
