Tool post problem

[Ross Berning]

The tool rest that came with the lathe has become difficult to position. It seems that the set screw has started damaging the post? There are very very slight bumps associated with the marks in the picture. The thing that’s odd is this only stated after many months of use. The screw head is smooth. Three Robust tool rests are all perfect yet.

What’s the best way to smooth this out? I hit it with some sandpaper to no effect but I’ve got no experience with metal.

 

[Kent Reisdorph]

I'd file them down with a fine file.

 

[robo hippy]

After I got my Robust, I became a fan of the wedges on either side of the post rather than the set screws. I had an early 3520A, and the original set screw set up had a brass insert in the end of the screw. You could probably do that without too much fuss. As Kent said, you can file or sand them down. You could also use a collar around the post to keep it at height. The problem I have with that is that I do tend to move the rest up and down a bit depending on the cuts I am making. I could have several collars for each set up, but I would probably lose them in the shavings....

robo hippy

 

[John K Jordan]

...I do tend to move the rest up and down a bit depending on the cuts I am making.

Me too. A lot. Sometimes just a tiny bit so it's "just right."

If I were king I'd commission someone to make an electronically controlled banjo that would change the rest height by maybe a mm at a time with a button push, and move continuously when the button is held down. Variable height speed would be nice. And presets.

If some brilliant person designs and builds this please send me one.

JKJ

 

[Steve Tiedman]

@Ross Berning this link is to a similar recent tool rest thread, regarding nicks on the rest section itself, not the post. I'd guess that your post is a softer grade of steel than your Robust posts. A few file strokes and you're back in business. See the file I'm using in this message-

Post in thread 'Tool Rest Marks?' https://www.aawforum.org/community/threads/tool-rest-marks.20175/post-261019

 

[Mark Jundanian]

After you file/sand down the raised areas, it may be time to put this rest in the back of the drawer, and replace it with something similar from Robust, Sinner, etc.