Wood Turning

[trimjim]

Do you guys have a special type of tool rest for small turnings ie: tree ornaments?  Mine is 6" and I can't get in close enough to short turnings to keep steady and to make a good arc.

[JL North GA]

A while back I purchased some components of a modular tool rest by Sorby from the Rockler store.  I bought it for the small round top bar and the box scraper platform.

Check it out - there may be something that works for you.  I got the 6" round bar - they do make a 4" and others.

[PBosse]

I had a modular tool rest system that had 4", 6", and 12" interchangeable rests and a 1" diameter post that threaded into the rests.  Ordered it from Penn State Industries.

[lpouliot]

I had a friend of mine make me a 4" rest and a 3" rest for small turnings.

All it is is a 1 1/2" angle iron with a 1/4" rod tack welded to one edge of the angle iron, amd a 1" post welf on the bottom.  Works great.

[johnclucas]

I'm not a fan of the modular rests.  I have some but ended up buying tool posts for each one because changing them was way to slow for me.     I'm a fan of the Robust tool rests.  He will cut them to any lenght for you.  My Powermatic short rest is short enough for most of my short turnings.   I have a 9" round rest that I use a lot and then I have a Robust tool rest cut down to 10 3/4 for my mirror handles.

[Gldnbrew]

Same here, had a homemade one and all it is is angle iron welded to a post, no rod on top. Has worked well for me.

Paul