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Tool Rest Question

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I just received my new tool rest in the mail and noticed a few dimples. Am I nitpicking? I put the rest in the banjo and ran one of my tools across it. The tool definitely hits a couple of the spots. If it was paint or a simple rough spot, I would just sand it down and move on. Should I contact the seller?
AF60FCCF-BCAD-4FE6-BA5C-D5317F8223A6.jpeg4B324435-9D0D-44F5-A346-E73052A65D70.jpeg620353AD-11EF-431F-AE4D-863AEDA1BA00.jpegC69C3DA6-7638-4931-B21E-5F93128C691F.jpeg023EF9C7-75E1-4D57-8331-0C16D3FDA689.jpeg
 
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If the bar is soft steel, you will need to dress it a lot. Just bump the spot with a file or diamond file and get to turning. You'll dent it worse than that in the future. If you go through a bunch of sanding grits, you can bring it to a mirror finish. If you don't want as much maintenance, you'll have to spend a lot more money and get a Robust.
 
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If the bar is soft steel, you will need to dress it a lot. Just bump the spot with a file or diamond file and get to turning. You'll dent it worse than that in the future. If you don't want as much maintenance, you'll have to spend a lot more money and get a Robust.

I agree with you..... except, I paid more than what the Robust cost.
 
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It's not bad, it's like most other tools that need a tweak to get started. I've spent hours flattening hand planes and bench chisel backs before using them. If you don't like it, return it. You don't need advice for that.
 
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It's not bad, it's like most other tools that need a tweak to get started. I've spent hours flattening hand planes and bench chisel backs before using them. If you don't like it, return it. You don't need advice for that.

Thanks for sharing your experience. You just gave me the exact advice I was looking for. I’m a reasonable person, just inexperienced in buying tool rests. If this is within reason, I’ll tweak it and move on. That’s the preferred approach but I also don’t want to mess it up to the point where I can’t use it or send it back.
 

Emiliano Achaval

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That's 50 cents worth of cold rolled steel. It will work and is easy to file smooth, but $92? Trouble with round bar is you can't support the tool up close.

John
John, you made me laugh! I dont know about 50 cents, you know the price of steel. Maybe $10 worth, LOL I would send it back and get the robust, I have made several like the one you just boight, you paid a bit much.
 

odie

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I have a tool rest exactly like that one, and the big drawback in that configuration is exactly as John Jordan says......"Trouble with round bar is you can't support the tool up close." (Round bar will work ok, if it's smaller diameter, but 1" is just too big for use as a tool rest.)

Mine is heavily modified, and the leading edge is ground away, so that it does get in close.......but, I'd never buy another like it. ;)

IMHO, at $92, it would be worth returning it. The Robust rests are good.....I have several of them......but, there are other rests from other manufacturers that are well worth considering. :D

-----odie-----
 

john lucas

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Easily filed out but that's a rediculous price. You could get one made from low vibration space age material from www.bestwoodtools.com or Robust for less and they are better quality. Send it back. It's a rip off. Heck I can build you one out of drill rod for about $36 and it will be better.
 
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That's 50 cents worth of cold rolled steel. It will work and is easy to file smooth, but $92? Trouble with round bar is you can't support the tool up close.

John

My grandpa was obsessed with collecting junk. I went to a garage sale with him 20 years ago and I bought a pocket knife. He asked me how much I paid. I told him I paid $5 bucks and he said “bend over, let me kick you in the ass” I can’t imagine what he would say in this situation...
 
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I think I like your grandpa..... Once you try one of the hardened drill rod tool rests, you will never go back to the more mild steel rests. Robust makes good ones, and Steve Sinner also makes a good straight rest, though don't know if he makes curved ones or not. I had some of the 1 inch bar ones like you have, a friend 'farmer welded' them up for me. I didn't like them as the pivot point would change a lot when you raise or lower your tool handles.

robo hippy
 

John Jordan

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John, you made me laugh! I dont know about 50 cents, you know the price of steel. Maybe $10 worth, LOL I would send it back and get the robust, I have made several like the one you just boight, you paid a bit much.
No, 50 cents worth, I buy several thousand dollars worth a year. Probably would cost ten dollars if you tried to buy a couple of feet. I assume if they are making them to sell they pay wholesale prices.
 

John Jordan

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My grandpa was obsessed with collecting junk. I went to a garage sale with him 20 years ago and I bought a pocket knife. He asked me how much I paid. I told him I paid $5 bucks and he said “bend over, let me kick you in the ass” I can’t imagine what he would say in this situation...

LOL. We've all done it.

John
 

hockenbery

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John, you made me laugh! I dont know about 50 cents, you know the price of steel. Maybe $10 worth, LOL I would send it back and get the robust, I have made several like the one you just boight, you paid a bit much.
Yes but $9.50 of your cost is shipping :).
 
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Update: I over spent on the tool rest, not the first time I’ve had a little buyers remorse, certainly won’t be the last. That’s not the sellers fault. It’s a one man operation, they are made in America in small batches and it’s my responsibility as a buyer to make sure it’s what I want before buying it.

The seller is Hannes tool, I spoke with Hannes (Johannes) and he was very responsive and helpful. He sent me a video of him restoring one of his rests. He apologized for not catching this before sending it out and took ownership of everything. He didn’t blame it on shipping which could of been the culprit. He has my respect and I’d certainly do business with him again.

Now let me say something about the tool rest. At first use, I do not like it. For all the reasons the more experienced turners mentioned above. I’m going to continue to practice using it and will most likely be heavily modifying it. I have heard of people who love these bar type rests, so Keep in mind this is just my experience after using this rest for a total of 10 mins.

Thanks everyone who shared their opinions and jokes. (at my expense) Next time I’ll be sure to ask around before I buy!
 
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My grandpa was obsessed with collecting junk. I went to a garage sale with him 20 years ago and I bought a pocket knife. He asked me how much I paid. I told him I paid $5 bucks and he said “bend over, let me kick you in the ass” I can’t imagine what he would say in this situation...

He sounds like Red Forman (That 70's Show)
 

john lucas

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There is one question mlm put forth by mu friend John Jordan on the statement you cant get the support close enough.. I did a little experiment t one day. Most tools.have a bevel. A parting tool.may have an even longer one depending on how its ground. You must ha e the tool.rest behind this bevel to properly support the tool. So I took my bowl gouge and moved my Robust rest up as close to the wood as I could get it and still have the tool supported on the body of the tool as lose to the heel.of the tool as I could get it. I measured the gap.between the wood and the supporting g portion of the rest. Then I did the same.with the Bestwoodtools round bar that I have. Again I measured from the fulcrum portion of the bar to the wood. There was only 1/16" difference. Now if your using a scraping tool.with an 80 degree bevel you can get the Robust bar closer TBA. A 3/4" round bar but in reality most people have.at.least 1/2" occasionally tool.hanging over the rest.at any given time. Now I will.agree if you do a.pull.cut with the handle down on a bowl gouge the Robust style rest will let you get a lot closer support.
 

John Jordan

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Update: I over spent on the tool rest, not the first time I’ve had a little buyers remorse, certainly won’t be the last. That’s not the sellers fault. It’s a one man operation, they are made in America in small batches and it’s my responsibility as a buyer to make sure it’s what I want before buying it.

The seller is Hannes tool, I spoke with Hannes (Johannes) and he was very responsive and helpful. He sent me a video of him restoring one of his rests. He apologized for not catching this before sending it out and took ownership of everything. He didn’t blame it on shipping which could of been the culprit. He has my respect and I’d certainly do business with him again.

Now let me say something about the tool rest. At first use, I do not like it. For all the reasons the more experienced turners mentioned above. I’m going to continue to practice using it and will most likely be heavily modifying it. I have heard of people who love these bar type rests, so Keep in mind this is just my experience after using this rest for a total of 10 mins.

Thanks everyone who shared their opinions and jokes. (at my expense) Next time I’ll be sure to ask around before I buy!

Johannes is a good man, and will always make things right. A lot of people like the round toolrest and I used one for many years and liked it particularly for hollowing.

John
 
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Does anyone out there in forum-land have a James Johnson toolrest? I got mine about 10-years ago - I have four. Turning mistletoe-burl mesquite, the toolrest needs to withstand "ker-chunkin" (corrections to my spelling are appreciated) while, at the same time, giving you a place to hide. I'll try to send a pic or so.
 
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Does anyone out there in forum-land have a James Johnson toolrest? I got mine about 10-years ago - I have four. Turning mistletoe-burl mesquite, the toolrest needs to withstand "ker-chunkin" (corrections to my spelling are appreciated) while, at the same time, giving you a place to hide. I'll try to send a pic or so.
John: You jerked a chuckle out of me. I wonder how many instructors out there in turning land advise their students to use the toolrest as a "good place to hide." Cracks me up....
 
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Does anyone out there in forum-land have a James Johnson toolrest? I got mine about 10-years ago - I have four. Turning mistletoe-burl mesquite, the toolrest needs to withstand "ker-chunkin" (corrections to my spelling are appreciated) while, at the same time, giving you a place to hide. I'll try to send a pic or so.

I had seen your mention of these tool rests in the past. I looked up James Johnson, he does have a website but no mention of tool rests. I’ll have to give him a call and see if he’s still making them.
 
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