Tool rest extension?

[Maurice Arney]

I just bought a new Jet 1221vs mini lathe with an extension so I could do table legs. I'd like to find a longer tool rest or a way to extend the 10" rest that came with the machine. I've searched the internet and can't seem to find a longer rest with a 5/8" stem. Any ideas how I might lengthen my work area beyond 10 inches?

Thanks

[John Keeton]

What use are you going to make of it? Your work is limited to 12", so for vessel work 10" should be sufficient. And, It could be that a longer extension of the rest with a small post would result in flex causing a dangerous cut. If it is for spindle work, there are double post rests out there, but you would need an additional banjo.

[Dan Masshardt]

Sounds like you are looking for a longer rest for your table legs. You could easily have one made but as John mentioned it will lose stability away from the post.

I used to have an old delta lathes that had a long (24"?) rest on two banjos.

If you are serious about this, I'd contact jet to find out cost on an additional banjo. Than you could hand one made. Or put 2 12" rests on I suppose.

[Paul Saffold]

I have not made one yet but have been looking for ideas myself. Here are 2 links. There are more if you search. These are for long spindle turning (legs).

http://www.blog.turnedwoodenbowls.com/?page_id=436


http://kapeldesigns.blogspot.com/2012/12/custom-sized-lathe-bed-tool-rest.html

[Reed Gray]

There are 2 foot long tool rests, but they require 2 banjos. You can make a wood one by using some thing like white oak or hickory, but it still needs extra support.

robo hippy

[Thom Sturgill]

Googling for 'long lathe tool rest' brought up an article by 'Tim Manney - Chairmaker' who made a long wooden tool rest for turning chair parts. I would make one recommendation - route a groove along the top edge and epoxy in a hard steel rod. His solution lacks vertical adjustment.

[Ed Wood]

Here is set of rests that may work for you on Amazon,
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...=ATVPDKIKX0DER

[Robert Henrickson]

I have made 30-32" chair legs, using the 14" tool rest standard on the Jet 1642, but a longer rest would definitely have made life simpler. A long rest is going to require more than one post, especially with a 5/8" post; the 10" one that came with the 1221 was that length for good reason. I have turned 12" spindles -- both slender and fat -- on a 1221 with the 10" rest in demos; I would hesitate to use a longer rest, especially for the roughing stage. For a 1221, you are probably better off making a long rest yourself so that you can have the length and the strength you need. The links suggested above seem to be useful ideas.

Two-post long rests are available for lathes which have 1" posts, but a second banjo or some shopmade substitute is needed. I found a 2-post toolrest with 1" posts in a clearance sale some time ago (for $10?), but even that was 26" long.

[Maurice Arney]

Here is set of rests that may work for you on Amazon,
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...=ATVPDKIKX0DER

Thanks Ed, I did see that. Too bad it is sold as a set or I might consider the 12" one. I would like to find something longer though... At least 15" or more.

[Maurice Arney]

What use are you going to make of it? Your work is limited to 12", so for vessel work 10" should be sufficient. And, It could be that a longer extension of the rest with a small post would result in flex causing a dangerous cut. If it is for spindle work, there are double post rests out there, but you would need an additional banjo.

As I said in my post, the idea is to make table legs not vessels. With the extension, I think in theory I can go up to around 40". In reality though, I'm only looking to make 30" legs. I wouldn't mind two separate rests. But a single 10" work area means a lot of moving back and forth.

[Shawn Pachlhofer]

http://www.bestwoodtools.com/ - has modular tool rest system that will work with your lathe.

http://www.turnrobust.com/Robust_Tool_Rests.html - will make a long tool rest with 2 posts. Call them to discuss

[Maurice Arney]

I have not made one yet but have been looking for ideas myself. Here are 2 links. There are more if you search. These are for long spindle turning (legs).

http://www.blog.turnedwoodenbowls.com/?page_id=436


http://kapeldesigns.blogspot.com/2012/12/custom-sized-lathe-bed-tool-rest.html

This looks promising.

[Maurice Arney]

Sounds like you are looking for a longer rest for your table legs. You could easily have one made but as John mentioned it will lose stability away from the post.

I used to have an old delta lathes that had a long (24"?) rest on two banjos.

If you are serious about this, I'd contact jet to find out cost on an additional banjo. Than you could hand one made. Or put 2 12" rests on I suppose.

I'll look into this!

Edit: Looking at the Jet web site, they do sell a tool rest holder assembly for $73. This, along with a two post rest would be perfect.

[Keith Westfall]

Go to your local machine shop and tell them what you want. Pretty quick and easy project one would think...

[Maurice Arney]

Go to your local machine shop and tell them what you want. Pretty quick and easy project one would think...

Good thought... It's times like this when I wish I had a welder.