Thread: Tool rest holder assembly

I think we might need a photo of what is crap before we can advise or suggest what might be better

What make of lathe is it? What is crap with it? We need all this sort of information to be able to help you, sometimes a crap situation could/can be an easy fix.
As Sawdust Maker said a photo would help, even more wouldn't go astray. What would you like in a tool rest holder assembly? Letting us know what you'd like, is a help in getting you something useful for your purpose.
Kryn

I think you are referring to what is called the 'banjo'. Banjos are specific to the lathe, generally so, as the others have said, knowing the type of lathe you have is important.

Its this bolt underneath I keep needing to adjust. The tightening handle keeps on losing its tightening capabilities.

Needs a spring washer to stop the vibrations working the nut loose.
Regards
John

Go to your local hardware store, and get the same size nut with nylon built in. I think they are Nylock nuts. Then, your banjo will perform like you want it to........ Jerry (in Tucson) USA

https://www.google.com.au/search?q=l...iw=414&bih=592

Hope this helps .

Or this https://www.google.com.au/search?cli...k1.Apcw6dWWqZ0

wot they said

I'd go for the Nyloc nut, NOT a spring washer, as when the tension is released, the nut could turn anyway.
Kryn

As above get a Nylock type nut. Also take the upside down T shaped part off and rub the bearing part with 80 grit sand paper to remove any shavings or dust and to smooth the surface if it is "as cast". You could do the same to the bottom of the bed where the T rides.

My Hegner has the same T on the bottom, with a big knob to tighten the banjo. Fine shavings and dust get between top of the T and the bottom of the bed and make a squishy connection. I periodically take the banjo off and clean and scrape everthing to get metal to metal contact.

That prevents the tool rest from slightly leaning into the turning on the finish cut, causing a nice big spiral trench.

You may also need to adjust the nut so that when the banjo is tightened by the lever on the front, the eccentric shaft is tight when it is at almost the very top. If it is tight when the high point of the shaft is left or right, vibration will quickly loosen it.

Your lathe has a nice stout banjo and cast iron bed. Both good things. Modestly priced lathes need a little tuning and touching up by the owner. Expensive lathes have better fit and finish and the tuning is done by the maker.

yup go with the nylock and get a second one for the headstock as you will find it will in time start to come loose as well. Had one of these lathes for a few years.

If you are having difficulty sourcing a suitably sized Nylock (I couldn't find one for one o' my old MC900s) there are options.

I went the path of a lock nut. Actually, I cut my original nut in half (height-wise of course!) and this worked well. A bit of a PITA to get correctly tightened, but once all was adjusted I didn't have another problem with it.

Not that I'm saying you should go this path... I'd fervently suggest that you try to either source another appropriate nut to cut down, or buy two 'half-heights' and save yourself a bit of effort.

That way, should all go wrong, you could reinstall the original nut and not be any worse off than you are now...

Yeah I couldn't find a lock nut big enough but there is one store that might have one, just gotta get there. Maybe even online somewhere once I work out its size! I did finally find a split washer big enough so I'll see how that goes for now. Thanks all for the advice .