Thread: Vicmarc tool rest issues

Can't say that I've had the problem but I don't really follow what you are saying. I'll wait for the pics.

Mind you, Richard Raffan seems to get by ok, and he uses Vicmarcs exclusively AFAIK (he used to own mine).

I agree with the basis of your comment jeff - The STUBBY has a design fault that when you are doing big blanks the "base" of the toolrest (boss on banjo) gets in the road and stops you getting closer than about 2 cm to the work peice. Bad design feature that only shows up on larger peices.

As for stopping if i remember correctly i saw a post where someone who owns a "toy lathe" (VL300) kept bumping the red stop bar on the front - would that be right - if memory is correct it was a Lefty.

Cheers

Jeff, there are aftermarket rests out there but the wrinkle is that they're typically 1" or 25mm posts and yours is 30mm IIRC. The ones I'm thinking of are Woodfast and sold by Timbecon etc. They have a fairly wide slightly rounded top edge with a cove underneath which can be handy for running your finger along as a kind of depth gauge. The Stubby job is v. similar.

One option would be to buy a couple, decapitate the rests and get someone to weld the replacement to the VM shafts. Or to 30mm rod if you can get it.

Originally Posted by Calm

I agree with the basis of your comment jeff - The STUBBY has a design fault that when you are doing big blanks the "base" of the toolrest (boss on banjo) gets in the road and stops you getting closer than about 2 cm to the work peice. Bad design feature that only shows up on larger peices.

As for stopping if i remember correctly i saw a post where someone who owns a "toy lathe" (VL300) kept bumping the red stop bar on the front - would that be right - if memory is correct it was a Lefty.

Cheers

Wasn't me hitting the stop bar, it was .

I'll re-try the pics this morning to show what I'm talking about.

Jeff

I have a Vicmarc VL300SBEVS & I haven't noticed any problem with the tool rest.

I have only ever bumped the stop bar about 3 times.

I look funny using a lathe without a stop bar 'cos eveytime I want to stop the lathe my leg twitches.

Originally Posted by Cliff Rogers

I look funny using a lathe without a stop bar 'cos eveytime I want to stop the lathe my leg twitches.

Cliff that's your normal look

went out and took some photos of what i mean.
the first couple show the way it was when i got it - you can see how the boss hits when you set it up to reach the centre of the blank and the adjusting screw nearly hits as well. the gap is about 1 1/2 cm but after a cut or two you have a larger than desirable gap[.

Attachment 105446Attachment 105447Attachment 105448.

I moved the boss around on the adjusting screws and had to move the locking screw
to the other position, now it is right in front of the rest and intimidating when you are using the chisel on the rest.

Attachment 105449 Attachment 105450

Then i thought i better show you a couple of the best lathe made

Attachment 105451Attachment 105452

Cheers

The STUBBY has a design fault that when you are doing big blanks the "base" of the toolrest (boss on banjo) gets in the road and stops you getting closer than about 2 cm to the work peice. Bad design feature that only shows up on larger peices.

Cheers[/QUOTE]

Then i thought i better show you a couple of the best lathe made.

[/QUOTE]

Bit of a contridiction there David??

Rose coloured glasses maybe??

Add to the list, a poorly located spindle lock.

Like most lathes there is always a compromise somewere.

Enjoy your stubby, There is always a Vicmarc to aspire to.

Cheers

Tim

Originally Posted by jefferson

I have some great pics but for some reason (probably idiot me) cannot load the damn things to show you.

But the problem is this (and agrees with me):

- the rest "bevel" won't allow you to decide on the cutting angle. That is, unless you set the rest height and bevel to coincide with the bevel on the chisel, you cannot gain support from the top of the rest. You ride low on the rest, not the top, and have less than optimum rest / fulcrum support.

ground down one of my rests to more of a round profile but it's still not ideal. From what I know, you need to start high with the bowl gouge (and thus have no "tip" rest support with the Vicmarc rests) and raise the tool handle closer to centre which is fine as you get the full support from the top of the rest.

Does all of this make sense? I hope so!

I am absolutely spewing that I cannot post the pics. DJ is trying to help, much appreciated.

I've seen other rests that seem to give more support from the top and are otherwise are of a better profile. Particularly if you want to use an underhand supporting grip. As always, any and all comments welcome.

This is one of the few gripes I've had with my Vicmarc lathes. At least they don't stop for no good reason, eh David?

Jeff

i have the same problem but my lathe is no where near as grand as a vicmarc so i think it could be expected. i mostly notice it while using my skew, none of the wear on the rest is at the tip and it does make a difference to the performance of the tool. didnt think of grinding back the rest but may do that now. thanks for brining this to light

To get back to Jeff's problem, seem to recall Skew posting about putting a rod on top but can't find it now (scratch head).

Here's a commercial version http://www.woodturnerscatalog.com/st...bust_tool_rest

though not available with a 30mm post. But as the VM rest is steel perhaps a bit of drill rod could be welded to the top. Just a thought.

I del'd it, 'cos I thought it wasn't really contributing to the thread.

I like the Woodfast toolrest for spindle work. The grove along the back is comfortable for your supporting hand. Also there is no post to negotiate either.

However like most things they are a compromise. When used on faceplate work I don’t like them.. Because there is no offset between the post and the toolrest I can’t get the rest close to the work on the inside of bowls and containers. This lack of offset is more noticeable on smaller diameters.

A good investment is to visit a steel merchant and purchase a short length
of “Bright Steel Shafting” to suit your toolrest holder. Bright Steel Shafting is sized accurately (I think its ground to size). Once you have this, it’s not too hard to make or get made any shape or length toolrest you require.

A toolrest is a rather personal piece of equipment; it’s a bit like having your own tools instead of having to use someone else’s tools.

Cheers

Tim

Originally Posted by Skew ChiDAMN!!

I del'd it, 'cos I thought it wasn't really contributing to the thread.

Thanks Skew ... the scratching was getting down to soft matter

Finally, here are the pics hopefully showing the problem. I hope they are not too small to pick it up:

Attachment 105498

Attachment 105499

Attachment 105500

Attachment 105501

I hope you can see that the bevel on the rest must match the bevel of the tool on the wood. If not, the tool sits on the back of the rest, not the top.

Is any of this clear?

Vicmarc owners - please check next time you turn the lathe on and tell me where the tool is sitting on the rest.

Jeff