Thread: Robert Sorby Tool Rest System

The sorby system only goes down to a 5/8" toolpost.
Check your post size

If you can't find one, I suggest you take your original toolrest along to an engineering firm and ask them to knock one up for you. Better still, find a mate with a welder.
Ted

I agree that the Sorby system is the immediate thought. But I don't particularly like the round bar to turn over.

When I bought my new lathe it only came with a 14" long rest (far to long for many things). So I found a local engineering works and for a very reasonable cost they cut me a couple of 1" x 7" bars and a couple of bits of 4mm plate and welded me up 2 tool rests to my specification.

Always an option.

It looks as if they go down to 1/2"

Robert Sorby Modular Tool Rest System at The Best Things

Originally Posted by Jim Carroll

The sorby system only goes down to a 5/8" toolpost.
Check your post size

Umm Jim, you might wanna retract that statement

According to your website, you can get them in 1/2"

[

Originally Posted by DJ's Timber

Umm Jim, you might wanna retract that statement
According to your website, you can get them in 1/2"

We all make mistooks - RS have them listed as 1/2" available. I purchased one by mistake too!

I have the 5/8" & 1" tool posts with the 768 Box Platform. Very handy for use with a custom front & side cutting scraper for boxes and making rings for spin tops.

Thanks DJ will have to fix that as we have never stocked that size and just checked their pricelist and not listed.

Will have to do some checking when we get back

Robert sorby start at 1/2" Modular Tool Rest System

I went to the local steel shop and purchased bright bar in the required diameter and 40 by 10 flat bar and 50 by 10 think ive spent $100. spoke to my friendly metal worker next door and I now have 12 toolrests the longest being 960 with two posts, these are the other sizes 800, 600, 400, 300, 200 ,200 off set 50mm, 100 and 80. for my leady lathe I used the 50by 10 and have a 400 and 200. wish I had of used 50 by 10 for all of them!

Crickey Chuck, you will now be known as "Any time, any where, any place" just like the old Martini advert!

I make do with the standard 10", I think, and 4", I also think, cast iron and the standard curved, round, tool rest that comes with the big bowl extention for my Record CL1 and it has done me well for the past 16 years or so.

Why buy more I ask me?

hehehehe I turn balusters for work so I set the tool rest up once and turn the required amount in the old Hyco lathe and I won't be getting more tool rests any time soon!

I always advocate making your own tool rests.That way you get what you want and for a very reasonable price. Ok you have find a tame welder, but even if you pay a local shop to weld it you will still be out in front.

Originally Posted by Morbius

Hi All!

I am looking for a 6" tool rest with a 1/2" shaft for my Carba-Tec mini-lathe.
I haven't had much luck looking for anything similar to the original parts, so have been considering the Robert Sorby system.

Can anyone tell me if it is any good, or offer suitable alternatives?

Thanks,

Craig

Have you had any luck getting something sorted yet?

I've got some 1/2" bright steel round bar here and scrap flat of which I can weld up for you for and post to you for the cost of postage, just need to now how much offset for the rest and minimum length of post.

Originally Posted by DJ's Timber

Have you had any luck getting something sorted yet?

I've got some 1/2" bright steel round bar here and scrap flat of which I can weld up for you for and post to you for the cost of postage, just need to now how much offset for the rest and minimum length of post.

That's a generous offer! Thank you. No I haven't sorted anything out yet. I can easily measure the post and get back to you this afternoon, but I have no idea about offset. I am very new to turning.

Craig