I was gifted a Robust American Beauty. It is of course more than a step up from my Grizzly G1067G. Kind of like going from a Yugo to a Cadillac when a Ford Escort . There are two frustration that I am having with the AB banjo.
1) I have to lift up the tool rest to rotate the handle enough to tighten against the tool rest post. Ya I forgot tool rest clamp handle is spring loaded on most lathes (even my old Grizzly).
2) Every time I want to change switch toolrests I have to either:
a) Jiggle the post in the banjo to get the wedge cams align so the post will slide in.
b) Use my finger to rotate and/or spread the wedges so the post will slide in.
c) Most of the time I have to disassemble the tool rest clamping mechanism. I can then reassemble piece by piece allowing me to insert the toolrest post at the correct place at the correct time.
I emailed Robust, no response.
I used the "Contact Us" form on the TurnRobust.com website., no response.
I called Robust and talked to the person that 'designed' the banjo with the wedge cam clamping mechanism (presumably Brent English himself).
I was reminded that the handle for the post clamp is spring loaded.
As to needing to fiddle with the the wedge cam toolrest post locking. I was informed that the moving handle of the locking system can cause the cam to rotate and that it can be lubricated (I confirmed that 3-in-1 oil would be appropriate).
What this mean is that unless I want to have to disassemble the toolrest clamping I:
1) Have to made sure the clamp handle is pointed exactly down when I remove the toolrest (yes gravity alone on the handle will make me have to disassemble the mechanism)
2) cannot bump the handle for of the clamp
3) cannot move the banjo with no toolrest inserted.
I find myself dreading the need to change toolrests.
What am I doing wrong?
1) I have to lift up the tool rest to rotate the handle enough to tighten against the tool rest post. Ya I forgot tool rest clamp handle is spring loaded on most lathes (even my old Grizzly).
2) Every time I want to change switch toolrests I have to either:
a) Jiggle the post in the banjo to get the wedge cams align so the post will slide in.
b) Use my finger to rotate and/or spread the wedges so the post will slide in.
c) Most of the time I have to disassemble the tool rest clamping mechanism. I can then reassemble piece by piece allowing me to insert the toolrest post at the correct place at the correct time.
I emailed Robust, no response.
I used the "Contact Us" form on the TurnRobust.com website., no response.
I called Robust and talked to the person that 'designed' the banjo with the wedge cam clamping mechanism (presumably Brent English himself).
I was reminded that the handle for the post clamp is spring loaded.
As to needing to fiddle with the the wedge cam toolrest post locking. I was informed that the moving handle of the locking system can cause the cam to rotate and that it can be lubricated (I confirmed that 3-in-1 oil would be appropriate).
What this mean is that unless I want to have to disassemble the toolrest clamping I:
1) Have to made sure the clamp handle is pointed exactly down when I remove the toolrest (yes gravity alone on the handle will make me have to disassemble the mechanism)
2) cannot bump the handle for of the clamp
3) cannot move the banjo with no toolrest inserted.
I find myself dreading the need to change toolrests.
What am I doing wrong?