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Thumbs-up for Robust tool rest

Jamie Straw

Jamie Straw

Joined
May 28, 2015
Messages
1,616
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222
Location
Bainbridge Island, WA
Just sharing an experience here...I've heard so much about the Robust tool rests, what good quality they are etc. But using one the other day, I really got a feel for how much difference a good tool rest can make. Two features stood out -- the hardness and smoothness of the nicely rounded surface where the tool slides, and how comfortable and stable one's hand feels when resting against the concave "apron" below that bar. Fortunately, they make rests for my little 1236 and I'm definitely putting it on the shopping list! I don't have a great picture, but here's Mr. Mentor showing me an "approach". The broad area a Robust offers to place one's hand is very appealing to me, and much better than the stock Jet rest. Also, wrapping my fingers around a rest just isn't an enticing thought.:p

Bowl Inside Approach.jpg
 
They look like great rests!!!

I've been wanting to get one of their curved rests and J-rests but shipping to Australia is prohibitive.
 
I have the 4" comfort rest the big j rest and a j rest for my jet 1221.
Robust rests are terrific.

The comfort rest gets in the way of a few things like shear scraping but is don't use it for that.
It is my go to rest for revers turning the bottoms of pieces and for small items like balls .

The j rest is solid when used way out on the end away from the post.
It also has minimal underhang so it fits it on bowls well.

Brent English does a super job on the rests and he has several styles.

Al
 
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Josh Stevens said:
They look like great rests!!!

I've been wanting to get one of their curved rests and J-rests but shipping to Australia is prohibitive.
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You know, Josh.....the robust rests are the kind of thing you only pay for once. After that, they will last a lifetime.

Just how expensive is "prohibitive", anyway?

My guess is that if you buy one of them, you'll buy more.....and, you'll wonder why you let something like extra postage keep you from getting something that will lead to better results for most turners!

A word to the wise, though.......Some turners who are still using the "death grip" on their turning tools, may not see any improvement in how their tools slide on the robust tool rest. If your hands are swinging the tool through a graceful curve, the ease of the two surfaces interfacing with one another is somewhat akin to a compounded benefit.

I have four Robust tool rests, and glad I have them.:D

ko
 
Shipping expense

Shipping expense to somewhere as far away as Australia may depend heavily on what choices the vendor allows. Unfortunately, many vendors ship with one company exclusively, so even if there's another, less expensive option, they can't or won't go with it for the sake of the consumer.

PS: Just for giggles, I went to USPS and checked on cost for an International Large Flat Rate box sent to Melbourne. $82 or $86.25 (online or off). There's a possibility 2 rests could fit in one box, which would make it more reasonable. For a 20-lb package, UPS Brown Truck wants $365 and change!:confused: Many, many vendors contract solely with UPS, and will not ship via the US Post Office.
 
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I have the new Vicmarc rests that have a hardened bar across the top and you're right, the tool just glides over the rest!

But there is no-one here making the interior curved and j-rests with the hardened bar across the top like Robust.

From memory I was quoted about $80 shipping for one rest. I can make straight rests without a problem but I haven't tried curved ones yet....I might put it on the list :D



Josh
 
Jamie Straw said:
Shipping expense to somewhere as far away as Australia may depend heavily on what choices the vendor allows. Unfortunately, many vendors ship with one company exclusively, so even if there's another, less expensive option, they can't or won't go with it for the sake of the consumer.

PS: Just for giggles, I went to USPS and checked on cost for an International Large Flat Rate box sent to Melbourne. $82 or $86.25 (online or off). There's a possibility 2 rests could fit in one box, which would make it more reasonable. For a 20-lb package, UPS Brown Truck wants $365 and change!:confused: Many, many vendors contract solely with UPS, and will not ship via the US Post Office.
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Thanks! Hmmm if two could fit that would make it more appealing but I might scrounge around for some materials and see what I make first. The steel is cheap but figuring out how to make the curves with the tools I have access to will be difficult
 
Josh Stevens said:
I have the new Vicmarc rests that have a hardened bar across the top and you're right, the tool just glides over the rest!

But there is no-one here making the interior curved and j-rests with the hardened bar across the top like Robust.

From memory I was quoted about $80 shipping for one rest. I can make straight rests without a problem but I haven't tried curved ones yet....I might put it on the list :D


Josh
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$80 isn't too bad. I don't know if the curved rests would fit in the box I quoted.
 
Under 4 pounds and you ship first class post rather than flat rate because it is cheaper. If you are buying several, then the flat rate box is the way to go. The hardened drill rod will spoil you and you will never want anything else.

robo hippy
 
Jamie Straw said:
If you decide you want to buy, I'll be glad to help get it/them shipped.
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Thanks for the offer! If it comes to that I'll be in touch...it certainly sounds like they are worth getting a hold of!

I might have to save up and make it worth my while...I'll get a couple of Robo-rests as well :)
 
I wonder if e-packet shipping is available to Oz. I have purchased some stuff from China that was shipped via e-packet and surprisingly the cost is very low and delivery only took about 5 or 6 days. A tool rest might possibly be too heavy for e-packet.
 
Yoda says....

Bill Boehme said:
I wonder if e-packet shipping is available to Oz. I have purchased some stuff from China that was shipped via e-packet and surprisingly the cost is very low and delivery only took about 5 or 6 days. A tool rest might possibly be too heavy for e-packet.
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Yoda says "Of e-packet I have not heard. Enlightenment comes, DuckDuckGo, to search I will." "Ahhhh, return I have. Of American manufacturing, so little left, but in USA is Robust made."

It appears that e-Packet is aimed at goods made in China.
 
Epacket isn't just for China, but the lion's share seems to be China to US. However, epacket is commercial shipping and not for ordinary folks like us to ship stuff overseas. I checked the weight limit -- it's 4.4 pounds. Some Robust tool rests might qualify.
 
Inside curve of Robust Tool rest

The body of the Robust rest looks like it was a segment cut from heavy steel pipe. I think that would be the way I would make one.
 
Vic Johnson said:
The body of the Robust rest looks like it was a segment cut from heavy steel pipe. I think that would be the way I would make one.
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Vic, I was told that the comfort rest uses a 1/4 section of pipe.

It is a very nice rest and I use one a lot.

It won't work well for fitting inside openings and for some low handle tool use which can cause the tool to ride on the over edge of the pipe rather than the top edge of the rest.

Robust also has a J rest which I like a lot and it fits inside a lot of openings.

low profile rest is also available I have use one several times no but haven't bought one yet.
 
I do a lot of turning with the tool handle dropped really low probably around 60°. Initially, I modified a short low profile Robust rest by grinding away some of the steel at the bottom edge. A couple years ago I discovered that Steve Sinner made just the kind of tool rest that fits my turning style (Steve claimed that there are only three people in the world who turn with the tool handle dropped so low ... him, me, and Trent Bosch ... he probably only said it just because Trent happened to be standing nearby). :rolleyes:

Anyway, I do a lot of shear cutting and an average amount of shear scraping, so his tool rest gets a lot of play time on my lathe. It is a simple design ... a ⅜" diameter hardened and polished steel rod welded to a flat piece of steel. Here is a picture.

atlwebhome010007.jpg
 
Bill Boehme said:
I do a lot of turning with the tool handle dropped really low probably around 60°. Initially, I modified a short low profile Robust rest by grinding away some of the steel at the bottom edge. A couple years ago I discovered that Steve Sinner made just the kind of tool rest that fits my turning style (Steve claimed that there are only three people in the world who turn with the tool handle dropped so low ... him, me, and Trent Bosch ... he probably only said it just because Trent happened to be standing nearby). :rolleyes:

Anyway, I do a lot of shear cutting and an average amount of shear scraping, so his tool rest gets a lot of play time on my lathe. It is a simple design ... a ⅜" diameter hardened and polished steel rod welded to a flat piece of steel. Here is a picture.

View attachment 8925
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If I remember correctly, Bonnie Klein has steel rods like that welded onto her tool rests. If only I could weld. But I do love the curved design of the Robust rests.
 
They would not be difficult to make if you have some metal fabrication friends. The drill rod is the difficult part as it needs to be hardened. They are tack welded on, and then I think they still use JB Weld (2 part epoxy that will stick just about any thing to any thing else) to fill in the gaps. You have to use a short cooler, or at least not heating to red type weld so the drill rod does not loose it's temper. J rest, fairly simple, S curve, not very simple. You can find some places that will bend wire stock and give them specs if you are doing a bunch of curved rests. The Robust bowl rests are about a 12 inch diameter section of a circle. A bit tighter than I prefer.

The hardened drill rod rests are like variable speed. Once you use it, you never want to go back...

robo hippy
 
I'm a big fan of the Robust rests, too. I use three daily. Steve Sinner's look pretty amazing. Thanks Bill. I'm a big sheer cutting fan too, especially since I'm up here in softwood country.

Josh, my cousin is a fantastic welder and he offered to make me any custom rests that Robust doesn't offer. He said it would be pretty easy rolling the metal with the right equipment. You might find a good shop to roll the radiuses and try the welding yourself.

EDIT: Woops, looks like Robohippy made a similar comment while I had my window open.
 
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I had 2 done locally to test a prototype. They used the 'bump bend' method, which means they used a brake (bending type press), to make an S curve for me. Very expensive for 1 or 2 unless the operator is a friend. Just flat bar stock like the Nova rests will work for straight rests. If you angle it and curve it (15 degrees is close to the inside of a 12 inch diameter bowl), then things get tricky as you have a compound curve. You might get lucky and find a punch press operator who has a radius form that is usable for what you need. I bent some 1/8 inch thick sheet stock to the shape I wanted, tipped it to 15 degrees, scribed a line on it for level/flat, pounded it out flat, cut it out and bent it again. Interesting thing is that 1/8 inch thick, when curved is plenty strong for a tool rest (please note 'curved' and not 'straight'), but would most likely have a hard time selling because it wouldn't 'appear' to be strong enough. If you have the shape, a laser cutter can make short work of it.

robo hippy
 
I use a low tool rest a lot for pull cuts. I also use the tool rest way above center for turning beads on my mirrors and platters. I have the Mini Robust tool rest but it has a 1" post. It's fabulous for turning my mirror handles because they are often thin and flex and I need to work with my hands under the rest supporting the work to keep the chatter down. I'm a big fan of the Robust rests. I'll have to check out Steve Sinner's next time I see him.
 
In my opinion......for roughing, and general shaping, the Robust tool rests don't have much, if any advantage over your other standard tool rests.

For your most finest of cuts....the last cuts prior to breaking out the sandpaper, is where the Robust tool rests really shine. This is when you are using a delicate hold on your turning tool through a graceful and smooth movement, and the pressure between the tool shaft and the hardened top surface of the tool rest, is the least. It is this moment when the least amount of drag is the most advantageous to the precision of the resulting cuts.

This doesn't mean the Robust rests aren't useful in all capacities.....they are......just sayin' that your old rests are still very useful. ALL your tool rests have a place, purpose, and time to use........:p

ko
 
odie said:
[Snip] This doesn't mean the Robust rests aren't useful in all capacities.....they are......just sayin' that your old rests are still very useful. ALL your tool rests have a place, purpose, and time to use........

ko
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Odie, please, I'll have to quit turning if the tool rests are specialized (beyond bending one way or the other of course)!!:rolleyes:
 
I agree with Odie--the unique properties of the Robust rest really shine in selected circumstances. Hogging out lots of wood is one where an old iron rest works fine. I'm a box maker and skew enthusiast, and sliding a skew over the reliably smooth surface of the stainless steel bar is a wondrous experience. Doing the same on the OEM iron rest, there is often a nick or irregularity in the edge that alters the glide. That means regularly checking and filing the top edge--something never required with the Robust.
 
Dean Center said:
I agree with Odie--the unique properties of the Robust rest really shine in selected circumstances. Hogging out lots of wood is one where an old iron rest works fine. I'm a box maker and skew enthusiast, and sliding a skew over the reliably smooth surface of the stainless steel bar is a wondrous experience. Doing the same on the OEM iron rest, there is often a nick or irregularity in the edge that alters the glide. That means regularly checking and filing the top edge--something never required with the Robust.
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Oh, I'm not disagreeing about the Robust rests (after all, that's what started this thread, LOL). I was tongue-in-cheek pleading to keep the accessory requirements within reason! Robusts are on my lists, but probably not any more "ordinary" rests.
 
Dangerous environment, this...

Clifton C said:
Jamie,
to quote, "to keep the accessory requirements within reason!" Really ?
You've been here long enough to know better...:):):)
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No kidding. Already this week, I've discovered live center inserts, and a thing called a "shielded hollowing tool." This is a dangerous place to hang out. Started a lilac bottle stopper last night, think I'll go finish it and stay out of trouble.:p
 
Jamie Straw said:
No kidding. Already this week, I've discovered live center inserts, and a thing called a "shielded hollowing tool." This is a dangerous place to hang out. Started a lilac bottle stopper last night, think I'll go finish it and stay out of trouble.:p
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Yeah, lathe turning can be dangerous......and expensive! The thing to remember is there is nothing that can take the place of real world discovery through hands-on experience, and evaluation of the plethora of gadgets and specialized tools. You just have to spend the money, or invest the time to make them, in order to have answers. There are some you'll weed out, but you'll never know what your results would have been, without actually using it with your own hands. Only you can decide, because no matter what the gadget/tool is, someone out there thinks it's the best thing since sliced bread!

ko
 
odie said:
Yeah, lathe turning can be dangerous......and expensive! The thing to remember is there is nothing that can take the place of real world discovery through hands-on experience, and evaluation of the plethora of gadgets and specialized tools. You just have to spend the money, or invest the time to make them, in order to have answers. There are some you'll weed out, but you'll never know what your results would have been, without actually using it with your own hands. Only you can decide, because no matter what the gadget/tool is, someone out there thinks it's the best thing since sliced bread!

ko
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I'm very lucky that (a) I bought most of the basic stuff before I took my "vacation" from woodworking and (b) I no longer have Compulsive Tool Buying disease, spend very little time looking at catalogs, and sleep easier for it.:cool:
 
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