Tool Post Height or Tool Rest Height

[HammaHed]

Just curious - as I am making up a proper wood turning tool post, what do other people like their tool post height to be, relative to center?

I am assuming that about 6mm below center would be an ideal height, on the basis of most cutters being about 6mm thick on the flat...... but I am not sure about the best height.

I spose I can make my tool rest dead level with the centerline, and if it's not that brilliant, I can always shorten the post.

Still I am always open to other peoples experiences on the subject.

[Skew ChiDAMN!!]

I wouldn't be happy with it unless it was adjustable... about ±10mm above & below the centre height.

:shrug:

If you want to be able to just "drop it in" and have it automatically a certain height, you can always fit a collar and grub-screw on the outside of the post. Hold the tool-rest at the height you want, slide the collar down until it hits the banjo & tighten the grub-screw.

At least with this method you can always re-adjust the height at will, without major tooling. :wink:

[HammaHed]

Hmmm good answer.....

Cut the post short, and add 2 x 10mm shims.

Easy.

Thanks.

[RETIRED]

I like minus 20mm. If you use a hose clip it is easy to move.

[HammaHed]

Hmmm good answer.....

Cut the post shortera, and add 3 x 10mm shims.

Easy.

Thanks.

[RETIRED]

Sounds like you need to come to this.
http://www.woodworkforums.com/showthread.php?t=96938

[powderpost]

The tool rest needs to be adjustable. For scraping only, your idea may be ok, but for cutting the height of the tool rest is largely dictated by the diameter of the job. The rest will be below centre for a thin section, like a lace bobbin, and above centre for something larger, like a billiard table leg. I think you need to talk to someone before making the tool post.
For marking a centre line on a bowl base etc. I made up a wooden "tube", something like a serviette ring, to slip onto the shaft of the tool rest.
Jim

[issatree]

Hi Hammahed,
I just went out & measured mine, I have 3, but there are more somewhere.
They are all 145mm. long, from top of the rest to the end of the post.
The one I use mainly,it's POST is 105mm. long.
The other 2 are 120mm.long.
Now I only Turn small stuff & these suit me, but if you were to Turn 200 - 300mm Dia. stuff you may well need them a little longer. You can't get them too low, because you may run into the Lathe Bed. So you will need a few of these Tool Rests. Just as easy to make your own, & not that hard.

REGARDS,
ISSATREE.

[HammaHed]

I had to make a copper winding bobbin, so I can send it to a guy to wind up a heap of copper wire for me, and then post it back.

Did a pretty good job, but I wanted to get a fairly "dead accurate" running core, relative to the shaft, so I wanted to true the core up.

Decided to make an actual "propera" wood turning tool rest / tool post, but because metal cutting tools, metals. and the tool designs, are quite different to wood turning - I had not as yet made the said tool post

Will finish and put in pix later..... getting late.

[NCPaladin]

I agree that you will want the height adjustable.
For quick reference, I adjusted to tool rest to the center of a drive spur and locked it down. I then used a hacksaw to cut a small recess around the post, just deep enough to accept a bit of paint. Actually I have three, gold for dead center, red for my favorite bowl gouge, etc.
Depth lock. Instead of a grub screw in a collar, I use a hose clamp made with a large wing nut (available from auto supply places). No messing around with a grub screw. All it needs to do is hold the rest at the proper height as you change the horizontal
position. It will not carry any weight once the tool rest is locked down.
Mike

[Texian]

Made a tool rest with collar and set (grub) screw just as Skew suggested. Works well and is the one I use 95% of the time. The exact height does not matter with handheld tools, as you manually present the edge to the wood as needed. Adjustable height is useful when setting up captured hollowing rig.

[NCPaladin]

I agree that the collar and set screw works well. From Nova it is $10, these are $2.59 for two. Also,...where did I put the allen wrench? Only a suggestion, use whatever works for you.
The gold line repesents center. Not necessary but I do use it often.
Mike