I got this far on the tool rest:
monster_rest_1.jpg
No welding yet... just cutting and grinding and drilling. I'm meeting with the welder guy this evening. The plan is:
Weld 1/8" gusset plates in between the horizontal bars to eliminate any racking possibility. Weld a mounting plate to the short end bars and the post to the long ones. Also weld some 3/8" all thread to the top flange nuts that I can use to mount turned wood handles for the locking levers.
Onward....