Spindle turner's tool rest??

[Rick Cicciarelli]

I know somewhere I've seen the suggestion of either purchasing or making a long tool rest (12-24" or more) if you plan to frequently turn spindles. I can't for the life of me though find the source, or find suggestions for building a rest. It makes sense to me to have a long rest so you don't have to stop and keep moving it when turning chair legs. Why is it I can't seem to find anyone that makes these? It seems I may have to make something myself.

[Brice Rogers]

On some of the really long spindle rests, I've seen there are two banjos. That would give a lot more support if your rest was 24" long (~ 12" of overhang). But if you are contemplating doing only a few, you could make your own tool rest that bolts to your bed. There are some youtube videos that use a piece of 90 degree angle iron welded or brazed to a post. The construction technique depends on your skills and available tools. Do you have a moderately beefy welder or oxy-acet. torch ?

Here is a Youtube video showing a very simple approach that a person could make this with very limited tools: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hBQXbFGc7sI - - at the end he even shows a home made banjo. Not overly elegant but certainly easy to do.

[Thom Sturgill]

I believe robust will make long rests and sell you a spare banjo.

[Leo Van Der Loo]

Just look on eBay they do come up occasionally, and yes you do need an extra banjo or other means to hold the other end of the rest


DELTA 24" WOOD LATHE TOOL REST IN GREAT CONDITION, CAT No. 694

Long toolrest on eBay.jpg

[Mark Greenbaum]

I have 2 banjos for the Grizzly G0766 (original & the replacement), and I made a 6 foot long tool rest with oak mouldings and dowels. I turned a few 5' long bed posts made of laminated oak (4" squares, turned to 3" diameter with tapered ends). I placed the dowels about 4' apart, to lessen the flexure over the cantilevers. One time use, probably.

[John K Jordan]

I know somewhere I've seen the suggestion of either purchasing or making a long tool rest (12-24" or more) if you plan to frequently turn spindles. I can't for the life of me though find the source, or find suggestions for building a rest. It makes sense to me to have a long rest so you don't have to stop and keep moving it when turning chair legs. Why is it I can't seem to find anyone that makes these? It seems I may have to make something myself.

I know of several that people made. One was wood with a second banjo made from wood. The other was also wood but used a second cast iron banjo. The long rest was topped with a piece of angle iron.

I will probably build a long tool rest the next time I turn a shovel or hoe handle to avoid moving the rest so much.

handle_shuffle_hoe_comp.jpg

JKJ