I have been turning some pretty big pieces and during the roughing out my tool rest gets tiny dings from my gouge bouncing a bit. Is this routine and do you folks suggest using a file to retune the edge of tool rest?
thanks
Ron
thanks
Ron
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tool rest question
- Thread starter nosedoc122
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Ron,
It is an excellent idea to use a file on the tool rest and then put wax on it.
If the dings are not small, I take the tool rest to a stationary belt sander, put the edge on the sander, and roll it to smooth the surface. Then I wax it. The use of the sander produces a straight edge and avoids creating dips.
John Jordan recommends filing the rest every day before you start turning. He has consistently said that this procedure will improve your turning. This operation allows the tools to move smoothly on the rest as you are turning, which does allow you to get a better cut.
It is an excellent idea to use a file on the tool rest and then put wax on it.
If the dings are not small, I take the tool rest to a stationary belt sander, put the edge on the sander, and roll it to smooth the surface. Then I wax it. The use of the sander produces a straight edge and avoids creating dips.
John Jordan recommends filing the rest every day before you start turning. He has consistently said that this procedure will improve your turning. This operation allows the tools to move smoothly on the rest as you are turning, which does allow you to get a better cut.
Ron, I'm obsessive about removing those little dings, as they interfere with finishing cuts (as does sap buildup)
I have two toolrests - one for roughing/truing that is big and beefy and I don't worry much about little dings, and a round rest (BestWoodTools) that I use for shaping and finishing. Only takes a sec to switch them and keeps the round one in much better shape. Once you try a round rest you will never want a flat one again.
I find a file a bit aggressive, so instead I use drywall sanding screens. I switched from sandpaper when I found that the screens lasted about 100x longer. They're just abrasive enough to remove the little dings you are talking about.
I take a few swipes with the screen every minute or so actually when I'm nearing the profile desired or shear scraping. Just a tiny bit of buildup on the rest can cause the tool to hang and ruin a perfect profile.
One other thing - be glad your tool rest is softer than your tool, or you'd have dings in the tool.
I have two toolrests - one for roughing/truing that is big and beefy and I don't worry much about little dings, and a round rest (BestWoodTools) that I use for shaping and finishing. Only takes a sec to switch them and keeps the round one in much better shape. Once you try a round rest you will never want a flat one again.
I find a file a bit aggressive, so instead I use drywall sanding screens. I switched from sandpaper when I found that the screens lasted about 100x longer. They're just abrasive enough to remove the little dings you are talking about.
I take a few swipes with the screen every minute or so actually when I'm nearing the profile desired or shear scraping. Just a tiny bit of buildup on the rest can cause the tool to hang and ruin a perfect profile.
One other thing - be glad your tool rest is softer than your tool, or you'd have dings in the tool.
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To take care of this problem once and for all, Ron, simply braze (or have someone else attach) a piece of 1/8" HSS rod onto the leading edge of your toolrest.
My $0.02 worth. I agree with Mike. I'd a lot rather have the dings in my cheap ($25.00 custom made at a local welding shop) tool rest than in my $75.00 tool. That's also why I don't care much for braizing an HSS rod to the leading edge of the tool rest. Do you have any idea how hard you have to work to get a ding out of HSS?
A number of people have mentioned waxing the tool rest. At first I was using paste furniture wax which worked fine. Then Lyle Jamieson showed me that a quick swipe with a parafin (not wax) candle did just as well, quicker and easier. Probably cheaper, too.
I like the belt sander and drywall sanding mesh ideas. They make a lot of sense. Thanks
Whit
A number of people have mentioned waxing the tool rest. At first I was using paste furniture wax which worked fine. Then Lyle Jamieson showed me that a quick swipe with a parafin (not wax) candle did just as well, quicker and easier. Probably cheaper, too.
I like the belt sander and drywall sanding mesh ideas. They make a lot of sense. Thanks
Whit
Ron, I also agree with Mike and since I tried his drywall sanding mesh I would never go back to sandpaper. I would be worried about HSS on the tool rest for the mentioned reasons.
When I first started roughing a friend told me to keep my tool rest close to the work as to not give up leverage. I try to practice this and my tool rest stays pretty well bump free, even after a 20†hard maple, chain sawed roughed blank. When I try reaching out too far I seem to pay the price from bounce.
My $0.02 worth.
When I first started roughing a friend told me to keep my tool rest close to the work as to not give up leverage. I try to practice this and my tool rest stays pretty well bump free, even after a 20†hard maple, chain sawed roughed blank. When I try reaching out too far I seem to pay the price from bounce.
My $0.02 worth.
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Whit,
If you can, somehow, manage to get a "ding" in that HSS rod attached to the toolrest and/or the HSS tool, you have far far bigger problems than just trying to get that "ding" out. You're much more likely to have a cracked toolrest or banjo before you'll get a "ding" in the HSS. In fact, you're more likely to crack the HSS clean apart, due to a defect in the mfg process., before it'll ever "ding" from turning.
If you can, somehow, manage to get a "ding" in that HSS rod attached to the toolrest and/or the HSS tool, you have far far bigger problems than just trying to get that "ding" out. You're much more likely to have a cracked toolrest or banjo before you'll get a "ding" in the HSS. In fact, you're more likely to crack the HSS clean apart, due to a defect in the mfg process., before it'll ever "ding" from turning.