tool rest

[herb]

Hi,

Looking for a 5 inch tool rest for PM 3520b. The modular ones I have seen get a little pricey buying both post and rest. Powermatic has one but want lots of $$ for it.

Got ideas.

Herb

 

[Steve Worcester]

I really don't consider something that I would get my moneys worth out of pricey. I buy the modular rests and a post dedicated to each one, as I hate to stop the creative flow to change the post (or chuck jaws for that matter).
How much is the PM one vs a modular with a post?

 

[Ed_McDonnell]

If you know someone who welds, a couple pieces of 1 inch stock welded into a "T" should be pretty inexpensive.

Ed

 

[herb]

Modular tool rest with post = $60
PM tool rest = $86

 

[Dale Bright]

Modular tool rest 1" post 6" round bar is about $36.00 at Woodcraft. I have it and it is fine.

 

[john lucas]

Check out the Bestwoodtools tool rests. I have several and really like them. I didn't like the Powermatic short tool rest until I ground the corner off the top of the post. You couldn't slide your hand down the rest without hitting that protrusion.
I buy the modular tool rests from Bestwoodtools but I buy a post for each one. It's just too much of a pain to swap posts even though they do make it easy. Their tool rests are made from a low vibration metal that was designed for Nasa so they aren't just like anyone elses round tool rests. Vic also chose the special brass collar for the same reason.
www.bestwoodtools.com

 

[KEW]

Try a Robust

I got a 6" Robust tool rest from Brent English. I like it better than any other rest I have!
http://www.turnrobust.com/Comfort_Tool_Rests.html
4" is $39, 6" is $44
Shipping is around $8 if I recall correctly.

 

[odie]

I really don't consider something that I would get my moneys worth out of pricey. I buy the modular rests and a post dedicated to each one, as I hate to stop the creative flow to change the post (or chuck jaws for that matter).
How much is the PM one vs a modular with a post?

Just wondering, Steve.....

Do you have chucks that are dedicated to a particular set of chuck jaws. That sounds expensive, but I understand things like this really do help to keep your train of thought.....at a time when you just hate to stop!

OOC

 

[john lucas]

I will second the Robust tool rest. I don't have one yet but have been lusting after them. I think it is an excellent design and I believe he has them to fit the Powermatic.

 

[Steve Worcester]

Just wondering, Steve.....

Do you have chucks that are dedicated to a particular set of chuck jaws. That sounds expensive, but I understand things like this really do help to keep your train of thought.....at a time when you just hate to stop!

OOC

Yep, 5 strongholds, and about 10 faceplates. If you have to remove one before the project is done, you can never get them back on the same again. Also probably 5-6 toolrests and a couple of box rests.

Hey, it is a vortex!

 

[pfduffy]

tool rests

Herb, Suggest you find a welder and have him make up a rest for you. The modular ones are fine but they sit too far back from the work on a PM. The welded kind need to sit forward of the post about 1.75 inches so you are not busting your knuckles all the time. Phil

Hi,

Looking for a 5 inch tool rest for PM 3520b. The modular ones I have seen get a little pricey buying both post and rest. Powermatic has one but want lots of $$ for it.

Got ideas.

Herb

 

[Don O. Jr.]

Welded posts

I agree with Phil. The one I made has a post, another piece welded at an angle above the post, and a cross bar welded on top of that. I used 1" cold rolled steel and welded it myself with a MIG welder. Not pretty but it works fine. I need to make some more of various lenghts.The forward angled piece above the post makes a big difference.

By the way, a spare tool rest is WAY less expensive than a MIG welder and a tank of shielding gas.

 

[blackhorse]

I love the ones I get from Packard Woodworks:

Code Name Quantity Price/Ea. Total
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
112845 T-Bar Rest (3/4'' dia. x 4'' long) 1 $21.95
112811 T-Bar Post (1'' Powermatic 3520A/4224) 2 $31.95

I needed the 4" bar for a doll bed I'm making the osts of which have a pommel that was interfering with my 6" rest.

Joe

 

[odie]

Yep, 5 strongholds, and about 10 faceplates. If you have to remove one before the project is done, you can never get them back on the same again. Also probably 5-6 toolrests and a couple of box rests.

Hey, it is a vortex!

You know, I've been thinking of doing exactly that with my stronghold, but havent' yet. I see I'm not the only one that thinks it's worthwhile to do things like that.

thanx

otis of cologne

 

[blackhorse]

Just to be clear, Packard sells a couple of rests. The ones I prefer strongly are the Bestwood tools rests, as mentioned previously.

Joe

 

[waltben]

Yep, 5 strongholds, and about 10 faceplates. If you have to remove one before the project is done, you can never get them back on the same again. Also probably 5-6 toolrests and a couple of box rests.

Hey, it is a vortex!

This is a completely new thing to me. Not to start a chuck 'religious war' , but I really never had that problem with any of the Technitool chucks (3 different sizes) and jaw sets (9) I've got. I've also a Vicmarc with two jaw sets and all together have numbered jaws that I can remove and replace without having to worry about any significant displacement - probably more due to wood movement than anything else. I'm really surprised that Stronghold chucks and jaw sets have this problem. Are there more people with this issue?