Anyone used Axminster's Evolution tool posts and rests?

[sploo]

I've just taken delivery of an Axminster 1628VS, and I definitely could do with adding a shorter tool rest for smaller work (the machine comes with a ~350mm long rest).

I was going to get the 150mm Jet (http://www.axminster.co.uk/jet-150mm-tool-rest-300468) but I was wondering if the Evolution series (http://www.axminster.co.uk/accessories/ ... ion-series) might be a good bet. I found the standard rest on the 1416VS to not have enough room to leave a finger underneath a gouge (to act as a guide as I slide along a workpiece); but I'm assuming the round bar on the Evolution series might be a good choice?

 

[marcros]

i haventused the ones that you mention, but could i nominate the sorby modular system as being worth a look?

 

[sploo]

i haventused the ones that you mention, but could i nominate the sorby modular system as being worth a look?

Yes - that looks interesting, thanks. They've also got curved rests for bowls, which the Axy range seems to lack.

 

[marcros]

and if you are on a budget, you can buy one toolpost and a couple of different top parts.

 

[Sheptonphil]

+1 for the Sorby modular. Over time I have now built up to three straight bars, two bowl (internal and external) and the box rest for inside boxes. When swapping lathes all I had to buy was a longer post.

I find the round bars equally as good as the standard rests, but are harder and require very little maintenance to keep them in good nick. I found the iron ones needed constant redressing as the top surface easily got nicks in and made the gouge difficult to glide smoothly.

Phil

 

[sploo]

+1 for the Sorby modular. Over time I have now built up to three straight bars, two bowl (internal and external) and the box rest for inside boxes. When swapping lathes all I had to buy was a longer post.

I find the round bars equally as good as the standard rests, but are harder and require very little maintenance to keep them in good nick. I found the iron ones needed constant redressing as the top surface easily got nicks in and made the gouge difficult to glide smoothly.

Thanks Phil - that's the sort of feedback I was looking for.

and if you are on a budget, you can buy one toolpost and a couple of different top parts.

Ah yes - Peter has them! He's just down the road from me... shame he's closed at the weekends during the summer

For the moment I just want the 6" rest, and the price of a stem + rest isn't any more expensive than the similarly sized Jet tool rest, so that's a good deal. I will probably add the bowl rests later once start down that road.

 

[woodpig]

I made a couple of round bar rests and they work well enough but I prefer the shape of the cast ones. I used silver steel for the top bar so as Phil says they don't get dented as easily as the cast ones.

 

[sploo]

I made a couple of round bar rests and they work well enough but I prefer the shape of the cast ones. I used silver steel for the top bar so as Phil says they don't get dented as easily as the cast ones.

It did occur to me that (with the right tools) you could probably bend a suitable (303 stainless steel?) round bar to the radius you wanted for a particular bowl size, then drill and tap it for the stem.

 

[selectortone]

I got a friend who is good with a welder to make me up a small toolrest out of 303 stainless steel bar. I found the bar on ebay, from a UK supplier, for six or seven pounds. It's 5 inches wide. It's very useful for smaller pieces - I use it all the time:

here it is with the standard toolrest for scale:

 

[sploo]

I got a friend who is good with a welder to make me up a small toolrest out of 303 stainless steel bar. I found the bar on ebay, from a UK supplier, for six or seven pounds. It's 5 inches wide. It's very useful for smaller pieces - I use it all the time:

here it is with the standard toolrest for scale:

That looks great. I wonder how feasible it is to bend that bar in order to create longer curved rests for big bowls?

I have now picked up the 4 3/4" long, 1" diameter stem and the 4" cross bar from the Sorby range. Not used it yet, but it fits fine on the 1628 and looks good.