A rest day.

[RETIRED]

As stated in this thread the tool rests on the VB72 weren't desirable.

They were pattern makers rest and not suitable for my style of turning.

Pic of old rest. Too flat across the top.Attachment 140560

The bore size of the remote rest is 11/2" or 38mm.

My supplier only had 36mm solid rod, no 40mm to machine down for the posts.

I noticed that the original rests were also 36mm (maybe they had the same problem) so I locked one in and tried to move it. Nice and secure so 36mm it is.

The actual rest was going to be out of 75mm x 12mm flat bar as I have plenty of that for the tool rests on "Big Henry".

So with all the material it is time to start.

I wanted to make 4 rests from 100mm -400mm and settled on 100mm, 250mm, 300mm and 400mm.

400mm is the longest length on a 36mm single post that is acceptable before you get vibration at the ends.

The posts were cut at 250mm long so that the post was supported by the complete bore of the banjo at full working height.

The post is set up in the banjo ready for slotting.Attachment 140555
The cutout to take the rest is cut using a 1mm (like to meet the person that invented them) disc in an angle grinder.Attachment 140556
The placement of the tool rest on the post is important and one where a lot of manufacturers fall down.

The top edge must clear the banjo so that you can get it as close as you want without the timber striking the edge of the banjo that the post goes into.

To achieve this I use a square on a magnet. If you have 2 people a straight edge will do the same thing.Attachment 140558

Too far back. As you can see the banjo would hit the timber and the rest would be nearly an inch from the work.Attachment 140562

The rest in the right place.Attachment 140557

Now it is a matter of tacking it into place.Attachment 140559

With one tack square the rest to the post.Attachment 140563Note the centre mark (circled).

Second tack.Attachment 140561
Now weld right up. If using thinner material be careful that you don't overheat it or it will pull into a slight curve.Attachment 140564

[RETIRED]

A good clean up

Attachment 140566

Check the distance of the rest from work in relation to banjo.Attachment 140567Attachment 140568

Success.

All rests present and accounted for.Attachment 140569

[Grumpy John]

, I may have some 40 - 45 rod that you can bore a 36 hole through to sleeve the bore in the banjo. Another job for the new metal lathe , at this it'll pay fo itself in no time .

[RETIRED]

, I may have some 40 - 45 rod that you can bore a 36 hole through to sleeve the bore in the banjo. Another job for the new metal lathe , at this it'll pay fo itself in no time .

I did think of that and will probably do it (or ask an ex fitter and turner)later on.

[Skew ChiDAMN!!]

And not the slightest hint of a mention that it's a damned good idea to file the working edge smooth after finishing?

I'm shocked at you, . Shocked, I say!

[RETIRED]

Saving that for a later date O night stalker.

[jefferson]

Is that some nicely figured redgum attached to the VB 72????

[RETIRED]

Yessum.

[Ed Reiss]

Nicely done ...when are ya' planning on manufacturing them?

[Tim the Timber Turner]

.

Just a bit more refinement and they will look just like

(dare I say it),

a :Vicmarc toolrest.

(stiring, stiring).

Cheers

Tim

[Cliff Rogers]

Hey , did you ever do anything with that bit of Pink Birch you got off me about 5 years ago?

[rsser]

Another refinement might have been to weld some drill rod along the top of the rest, anticipating the pounding it's going to get at the hands of an axe wielding mongrel ;-}

[Tim the Timber Turner]

Hey , did you ever do anything with that bit of Pink Birch you got off me about 5 years ago?

Hey Cliff

Even I know you can't make toolrests out of pink birch.

You need Ironbark mate, Ironbark.

Cheers

Tim

[rsser]

'Spect 's saved it to turn up some handles for the camlock levers ;-}

+1 to those 1mm thick cutting wheels.

I've cut 3/8 thick HSS with them to make custom scrapers. Blues the steel but only on the surface

What was the topic again? Oh yeah, how many kinds of light bulbs do turners work under?

[RETIRED]

Hey , did you ever do anything with that bit of Pink Birch you got off me about 5 years ago?

I made a bowl out of it as a thank you to a friend.