Okay, as promised, now that I officially own a lathe (yay!), here comes the first stupid lathe question from Ocelot.
There is no tool rest on my lathe. Do I need to buy one? Would it fit, or is all my shaping done with the cross slide and compound? For roughing out bowls shouldn't I just be able to slap a tool rest on the bed and go to town? Where do I get a tool rest and where does it fit on my lathe?
Ok, I lied. That was way more than one question. Still, you can see how shatteringly ignorant I am when it comes to such things.
Stupid Lathe Question #1
Re: Stupid Lathe Question #1
I use a piece of flat metal as toolrest, mounted in the toolholder.
Re: Stupid Lathe Question #1
What's the piece of metal made of?Charl wrote:I use a piece of flat metal as toolrest, mounted in the toolholder.
Re: Stupid Lathe Question #1
I think this qualifies as a "face-palm" moment, but like I said, I warned you guys I would have stooopid questions.
Re: Stupid Lathe Question #1
Hardy har har.Charl wrote:Answer: metal!
Apparently steel or aluminium it doesn't matter? I got no knowledge of these fancy metally stuffs. Just know steel's harder is all. Don't want nuthin' breaking 'er nuthin' while a feller's workin'.
So... any tool blank works then, hmm? Excellent.
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Re: Stupid Lathe Question #1
While I can see how using a tool blank as a rest will work I actually made my own attachment to use. I remove the compound feed which is only attached with two bolts. ( I plan on upgrading this to a four bolt when I get time to make it more rigid.) I made a small tool rest using scrap steel. It is adjustable up and down and I can turn it so I can work the top of the bowl too. The rest is made from a piece of angle iron welded to a post. It is small and works well. I found that by using this and having the compound out of the way gives me more room to use the wood tools making it easier for me.
Pipe Maker in the Making!