Long Tool Rest for Turning Spindles
I
have just completed a new tool rest for my Jet mini lathe. I have
been using this lathe for tool handles and spindles for tables and
chairs for about 10 years. A good friend of mine, Chris Vesper
(toolmaker extraordinaire) made a longer tool rest (than the
original) for me, but it is still too short, and too inconvenient,
for long spindles ...
As
you can see, I have the extension bed, and the Jet has been all I
have needed for all these years. However, now I am more serious about
turning spindles for legs ... and at this point those who get to this
point all seem to build a longer tool rest.
I tried to
find another banjo to pair with the Jet one, but there is simply
nothing available used, and a new one is nearly as much as the lathe
cost me! So I decided to build it all.
The
fence is made of Jarrah, which is very hard and heavy, and is capped
with a 5/8" mild steel tube.
The
Jarrah rail is tapered, and the tube is set into a hollow ...
The
banjos are also Jarrah, and adjustable for height and able to slide
back-and-forth. The curve under the rail is not just for aesthetics,
but also enables a hand to reach inside for adjustments
...
While
I was at it, I took the time to reorganise my chisels for easier
access ...
Regards from Perth
Derek
February 2018