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Tool rest for Laguna 18/36

Joined
Jan 18, 2012
Messages
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Location
Concord, Ca
I recently purchased a Laguna 18/36 and it has been a great lathe. I am currently looking for a shorter tool rest. From what I have read there are "1 inch" posts that are various diameters. I am looking for suggestions for a tool rest that will fit my lathe.
Thanks for any assistance you can provide.

Tim
 
Joined
May 25, 2010
Messages
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68
Location
Prince Frederick, MD
I have the same lathe, and have been very happy with the Robust tool rests. They make them as short as 4", going up in two inch increments. They are not cheap, but they are excellent tool rests. They are also available in various curved forms for bowls and boxes, all very well made.

Dan
 
Joined
Dec 26, 2011
Messages
145
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99
Location
Biloxi, Mississippi
Hi Tim,
I purchased the Nova tool rests and they work great for me. I have the 4” and the 6”. One note to point out, is the fit was a snug on the tool post. I just rubbed a little Yorkshire grit on the posts and worked them back and for for a few minutes. Now they slide in smooth as silk.
Jon
 
Joined
Mar 19, 2016
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Location
Haubstadt, Indiana
Tim, for me I found the 6” Robust worked great. It somewhat depends on what you are turning if a 4” would be better. I don’t have experience with other brands, but IMO it’s just darn hard to beat a Robust rest.
 
Joined
Aug 14, 2007
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Location
Eugene, OR
I look at the hardened drill rod tool rests like I look at variable speed, and CBN grinding wheels, once you try them, you never go back. Robust makes some fine ones, and so does Steve Sinner. You might also try D Way tools as Jimmy Allen makes some great case hardened steel rests mostly intended for box making, but maybe 4 inches long.

robo hippy
 
Joined
Jun 6, 2018
Messages
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Location
La Grange, IL
Hannes Tools and Best Wood Tools are two other sources for tool rests. I am very pleased with a J shaped tool rest I purchased from Hannes, it tend to be my go to. I also have a short Robust rest and an 8" Sinner and both also see a lot of use.
 
Joined
Feb 26, 2019
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Location
Lebanon, Missouri
Definitely want a rest with a hardened rod. I prefer the rod be small, like the Robust rests, which I have 4, 6, &12” straight comfort rests. Highly recommend. I have read the Laguna uses a clamp vs a perpendicular bolt and is finicky about diameter. I’ve never seen the mechanism but I wonder if there is a way to adjust it for slightly smaller diameters. Since I have several Robust rests I will measure dia and report back. If you get interested in curved rests robo has some nice ones on his site.
 

hockenbery

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Apr 27, 2004
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Lakeland, Florida
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www.hockenberywoodturning.com
Robust web site lists most of the commonly used lathes for the tool rests.

I really like the 4” comfort rest. One caution the long comfort rests can interfere with a pull cut as you drop the handle the bar will the ride on the front of the support dan not the hardened rod.

the J rest is terrific for hollowing bowls.

@robo hippy sent some really nice rests to the Florida symposium to go in their auction.
They are a J rest design with a nice support for the hardened rod. Well worth a look.

Nice thing about dealing with Robust or Robo is you can always contact them and be sure what you order will fit.
 

Bill Boehme

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pbase.com
.... I really like the 4” comfort rest. One caution the long comfort rests can interfere with a pull cut as you drop the handle the bar will the ride on the front of the support dan not the hardened rod.....

I have a bunch of Robust rests and highly recommend them. However, when I want to make a pull cut with the handle dropped really low the Steve Sinner rest is my favorite.
 
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