What is this lathe part?

@Kevin_in_NZ,

Re editing, registered users have 60 minutes to edit/delete their posts. Guest posts cannot be changed once posted.

https://www.woodcentral.com/forkbb/registration

Are any of these you? 

https://www.woodcentral.com/forkbb/userlist/all/username/ASC/kevin%2A

If so, you can try resetting the passphase for the account (Login -> Forgotten). If you try this and don't receive an email, it usually means there is not a match between the email you provide and that stored by the system.  Details here:

https://www.woodcentral.com/-/help/forum/

Hi Kevin,
Welcome to Wood Central
The Union machines were multi-functional for both wood and metal, depending on what was set up.   Your picture is not very inclusive but it looks like you are showing us the "outboard" side of the headstock.   With so many configurations and accessories to the Union lathes, it looks like you have a special tool rest for a particular kind of job.
Your best bet may well be to contact the former owner's family to find out what he used to make on the machine.

My guess is that it is a small toolrest that would likely be used inside of a bowl. I have some homemade "platform" rests similar to the one you show without the step on the front which I use inside a bowl with a scraper laying flat on the surface (since there is no step at the end).
With the step you could use a tool, either a scraper or gouge or whatever placed on the step and have a little bit of vertical control at the tip of the tool.
Like I said, this is a guess but it is likely how I would use it..

Another vote for small tool rest. I have one that is simply just a plain post for getting into tight areas as one does not want to have too much tool hanging over the rest as they could possibly break, if of small size.

Thanks for the replies.

Yes, this is the outboard side of the headstock that I showed. But this short toolrest could equally go in the banjo, as it has the same size post as the other tool rests.

I know what the previous owner used to make. It is pretty obvious that he never, or hardly ever, used this short tool rest, as there is no wear at all on it. The other tool rests show considerable wear.

Thanks again

Kevin

As a beginner I urge you confine your turning to the inboard side of the lathe because the support the tail stock offers makes learning much safer as it is much less likely that the wood can take flight and hit you. Only move outboard after have turned a few for some time and have built your skills.

Walta

Thanks for the advice Walta.

I wasn't thinking of turning on the outboard side, that's just where this short toolrest was when I received the lathe.

Kevin

Good advice from Walta and us experienced turners also try to take advantage of the tailstock when possible. Another safety tip is to keep the RPM down - this is very important when turning anything that might not be sound such as burls and larger diameter pieces. Also, anything that might have ring shakes or cracks - which begs the question, do you really want to turn it anyway?