An Improvement. The tool rest was “built to plan.” The only adjustment I made was to change the height commensurate with how much my centers varied in height above ways from the original plan.
It worked. Yet, it felt like I was always creeping up on the work from underneath. In other words, the tool rest was too low. I temporarily shimmed it up with various bits from the scrap bin. Better!
OK. Let’s keep going. Make it adjustable. Cut off the top inch or so. Just for interest, cut a couple of nice semi-circles in the remaining base.
Drill 1/4″ holes at the centers of the semi-circles. Make a new piece, same width. Cut it’s upper edge to 45 degrees and attach the metal rest plate. Cut two 1/4″ slots. Assemble with 1/4″ carriage bolts and wing nuts. Think about replacing the wing nuts with something prettier some day.
Molto meglio! Benissimo!
Oh! Before you ask about the first project, Ralph. I’m still learning how to address spinning objects with sharp chisels. So far, and for a bit more time, all I’m making is mulch.
Honest, I wasn’t going to ask about the first project. I was going to comment on the tool rest and it’s anatomical resemblance to the female form. Or maybe I’m seeing too much into it and it’s just eyebrows and eyes.
I’m surprised the original plan didn’t account for adjustable height. I suppose technically it should need to change but the reality is I’m always adjusting it as not every tool presents the cutting edge at the same level. This is especially true when I use my Easy Wood Tools carbide tools as they present very differently than a traditional bevel edged tool. If you need an affirmation, this is exactly how I set up my rest for my Springpole.
Ralph,
It seems you missed Sister Regina Marie’s 5th grade class about keeping “impure thoughts” under control. 🙂
Shannon,
Stephen Shepherd claims his plan is of 1805 vintage. All of the lathes (replicas) I’ve seen from around that period have fixed height tool rests. I don’t know if that was from economy or because tool materials and tool geometry did not vary much. Today’s variety of tool material and cutting shapes certainly are a lot easier to manage with an adjustable rest.