Hole in Jet 14" stock tool rest - why?

[Randy Anderson]

If you look at the Jet 14" stock tool rest there is a 3/16" hole drilled through it a few inches to the left of the post center line. I know trivial but is there a purpose for it? Some option I don't know about that uses it? Alignment for the mfg process maybe? I've looked online and they all have it but nothing in the manual as to why.

 

[John Torchick]

Haven't a clue. How far in does it go?

 

[Randy Anderson]

All the way through. No threads. The countless hours in front of this thing and thousands of times I've handled it and I just noticed it a few days ago.

 

[john lucas]

I think I read one time that it is used for painting the rest. My Powermatic rests also have a hole.

 

[Russell Nugent]

Predrilled for pegboard.

 

[Matt Radtke]

I would assume it is for end user to tap if you need banjo in weird position....I bet hole is same size as the correct tap for you tool rest height adjuster

 

[Jim Woods]

I assume it it for hanging in a nail.

 

[George Stratton]

My old 1990s Delta with 1" post has a 1/2" hole running 90 deg. to the post about 4" left of the post?? Can't see any use for it?

 

[hockenbery]

A photo would be helpful.
Might have been drilled to hold a pin for metal spinning.
Could have been used to mount a Drill guide.

 

[Randy Anderson]

If the question is to me there’s a photo in my original post.

 

[Clifton C]

Same little hole, PM3520A circa early 2000. I asked years ago and got the shoulder shrug and maybe it was to hang the rest for finishing.
I was hoping for something a little more useful for us as turners...

 

[RichColvin]

If you look at the Jet 14" stock tool rest there is a 3/16" hole drilled through it a few inches to the left of the post center line. I know trivial but is there a purpose for it? Some option I don't know about that uses it? Alignment for the mfg process maybe? I've looked online and they all have it but nothing in the manual as to why.

I wondered why there are slots on the side of the banjo on my PowerMatic 3520B. When I was at one AAW conference, I asked the PowerMatic rep. They told me it was for an option to hold a vacuum attachment (which is no longer available from PowerMatic).

You can call their support line: they are really good, or ask them when you go to the next AAW conference in the post-COVID era.

Rich