Lathe tool rest

[curly57]

Hi guys!! I was just wondering if you know if there is a larger tool rest avalible than the 4"er, I bought my SS used, it came with a few acc. but no tool rest, I bought the turning package, and the one they offer is the 4"er. I've noticed larger one's in pic's but I can't seem to find one in the catalogs or the web site. Thanks!!

[paulmcohen]

I just sold all my Shopsmith tool rests on eBay (for more then I paid for them, and more then Shopsmith sells them for on sale). I now use a modular tool rest made by Best Wood Tools (http://bestwoodtools.stores.yahoo.net/tbarmodtools.html). There was a lot of debate in December about using the 3/4" Shopsmith post or if you have the Shopsmith Universal Tool Rest (Banjo), which I strongly recommend going with, using the 1" post. The problem was which 1" post and that I could never figure out. 1" posts come in many different lengths and deciding which one was too confusing.

Once you get the system you have a huge choice of rests. I use an adjustable curved rest (http://bestwoodtools.stores.yahoo.net/newadlenbowr.html)for bowls, a T-BAR 4" LONG (http://bestwoodtools.stores.yahoo.net/4tbar.html)http://us.st1.yimg.com/store1.yimg.com/Img/trans_1x1.gifSuper for pens and wine corks and the T-BAR 9" LONG with 6" and 3" Offsets (http://bestwoodtools.stores.yahoo.net/tbar9lonwit6.html) for spindle work. They also have a UNIVERSAL BOX REST (http://bestwoodtools.stores.yahoo.net/unboxres.html)http://us.st1.yimg.com/store1.yimg.com/Img/trans_1x1.gifThis is the perfect Tool Rest for making flat bottom boxes but they recommend the 1" post and that is still an issue.

If you want to get the system check around prices vary. They are sold by Rockler, Woodcraft, Packard Woodworks and others but not everyone offers the 3/4" Shopsmith post. I purchased mine in pieces to get the best prices with shipping.

These are much harder steel then the Shopsmith rests, which I used to nick with my very hard chisels.

[psargeant]

I just happened to be looking for the same 6 inch tool rest a few weeks ago. I checked with Shopsmith's website and the part number for this item is 503749 and sells for $13.78.

[paulmcohen]

I just happened to be looking for the same 6 inch tool rest a few weeks ago. I checked with Shopsmith's website and the part number for this item is 503749 and sells for $13.78.

I sold my old one on eBay for $21 plus shipping, hard to imagine why anyone would buy a used one for more than a new one.