@Kevin Jenness asked me in a PM about building a tool rest for a General 260-20. Just as easy to answer right here.
A couple of years I got the itch to turn some bigger wall art. That meant an outboard tool rest. I sketched several ideas and ended up more or less cloning the Robust American Beauty outboard stand.
The swing is 28" to were I bolted the frame to the lathe headstock. To clear that part of the assembly I machined a spindle adapter to convert my outboard spindle from 1-1/8-8 left hand to 1-1/4"-8 right hand. It extended the spindle a couple of inches so I could than swing 38". If I reposition the arm towards the floor I can swing 56".
I feel my outboard stand is as heavy or heavier than the commercial models. I'm quite happy with what I built but also realize its not as stout as a outboard equipped Oneway 24/36 or most of the big bowl lathes.
The biggest I've turned on it was a 35" way out of balance wall art piece. I had to add counter balances to turn it and I should add my lathe is bolted to the floor and has weights. The one thing I will do before turning another big piece is to rewire my speed control-on/off switch so I can move it to the outboard tool post when turning outboard. Not only would it be more convenient, I think its essential for safety if something goes south.
A couple of years I got the itch to turn some bigger wall art. That meant an outboard tool rest. I sketched several ideas and ended up more or less cloning the Robust American Beauty outboard stand.
The swing is 28" to were I bolted the frame to the lathe headstock. To clear that part of the assembly I machined a spindle adapter to convert my outboard spindle from 1-1/8-8 left hand to 1-1/4"-8 right hand. It extended the spindle a couple of inches so I could than swing 38". If I reposition the arm towards the floor I can swing 56".
I feel my outboard stand is as heavy or heavier than the commercial models. I'm quite happy with what I built but also realize its not as stout as a outboard equipped Oneway 24/36 or most of the big bowl lathes.
The biggest I've turned on it was a 35" way out of balance wall art piece. I had to add counter balances to turn it and I should add my lathe is bolted to the floor and has weights. The one thing I will do before turning another big piece is to rewire my speed control-on/off switch so I can move it to the outboard tool post when turning outboard. Not only would it be more convenient, I think its essential for safety if something goes south.
