Thinking of buying round tool rest sets

Round rests work just fine. But I’m curious as to your ‘finger gets caught’ statement… how exactly does one catch their finger on a tool rest?

Cheers,
Brad

-- Brad in FL - In Dog I trust... everything else is questionable

A picture would go a long wAy but I’m not home.

There is very little clearance between the post and the rest in the center. My lathe has a large 1 1/8” post. In the center of the rest is a depression for clearance, but I can’t fit my finger between the rest and the chisel when passing through. It gets snagged. In general I just feel like I can’t get a smooth pass on my rests. Sure, most of it is likely my lack of experience, but there’s definitely something hokey about my set up and I assume that the rounds are simply of better design. Not sure if there are cheaper sets that I should be looking at.

The modular rests from Best Wood Tools are pretty decent, and the customer service is top drawer.

I bought a Robust Comfort Rest a few weeks ago at their open house … I really like it. My hand or fingers fit in the radius of the rest … I think it might resolve the issue you are having.

-- Gerry -- "I don't plan to ever really grow up ... I'm just going to learn how to act in public!"

Robust ^

I like the hardened bar on the robust rest.

I like the hardened bar on the robust rest.

- soob

It would be hard to find anything I didn’t like at Robust … IMHO they are the best engineered and built tools on the market.

-- Gerry -- "I don't plan to ever really grow up ... I'm just going to learn how to act in public!"

+1 on the Robust tool rest design. I spent some time on a big Oneway lathe last month that had such a tool rest, and learned how to use it. [Wait, that posted too soon, not done yet!]

Anyway, see the picture below—how the turner (Mentor I was visiting) rests his hand in that nice big “pocket” and controls the tool. Feels very, very safe and secure. He does not favor the technique of having a finger wrapped around the underneath of the tool rest. Also, early on in his career (and it really is a career) he had a fingertip snipped off by getting caught between the rest and the chuck (I think that’s how it happened). So it’s definitely possible. Anyway, though I use a round tool rest occasionally, I don’t think I’d sink a bunch of money into a set. Would much rather have Robust.

-- My mother said that anyone learning to cook needed a large dog to eat the mistakes. As a sculptor of wood I have always tried to keep a fireplace. (Norman Ridenour)

See those rests have tons of finger clearance.

The rests that I was taking about are quite different. Cylindrical.

Tough choice! Oh wait… Maybe this isn’t so difficult after all. I wonder if robust even offers 1 1/8”...

http://www.turnrobust.com

I don’t see why not, good luck now

I like the hardened bar on the robust rest.

- soob

Amen! Super-smooth.

-- My mother said that anyone learning to cook needed a large dog to eat the mistakes. As a sculptor of wood I have always tried to keep a fireplace. (Norman Ridenour)

I wonder if robust even offers 1 1/8”...

From their website: ’25mm and 30mm Metric sizes are available special order, as are ¾”, 7/8” 1 1/8” and 1 ¼”. ’

-- Gerry -- "I don't plan to ever really grow up ... I'm just going to learn how to act in public!"

A picture would go a long wAy but I m not home.

Is this your rest?

If so, your fingers really should not be anywhere near that depression in the middle when you are holding the tool.

Cheers,
Brad

-- Brad in FL - In Dog I trust... everything else is questionable

Oh, duh, yes that’s my rest, so it’s the top of the the post that is in my way. I tend to have my thumb on the top and my index finger under the chisel.

toddbeaulieu, I had a very similar issue as you with my Delta 46-460. It came with two standard straight tool rests. I think they were in the neighborhood of 5” and 9”. My finger would “catch” on the rest and make it difficult to make a smooth cut along the wood I was turning. I bought several of the best wood tool round tool rests and haven’t looked back. They are fantastic. You will like them, I’m sure!

I know many turners that use a finger(s) to grip tool & tool rest while turning. Some only use that technique when want extra leverage for others that is the way they turn. Cannot say ever saw those guys & girls use a round tool rest.

JMHO, your grip of a turning tool should be natural & comfortable allowing you to make all your cuts with no stress! Since no people alike practice until learn whatever tool grip works for you.

It’s your money if think a round tools rest will help just go for it!

Just remind the naysayer there is nothing really safe about woodturning.

If want to be cool like many of us get Robust Tool Rest and change your grip!

Good luck with it!

-- Bill