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Anyone tried the new Robust low profile tool rests?

M

Matt Owen

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Nov 4, 2005
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I just saw them at CSUSA

http://www.woodturnerscatalog.com/s...st_Comfort_Tool_Rest___robust_tool_rest?Args=

I'm a big fan of wrapping a finger underneath the rest for better tool control, and wanted to find out if these rests are as good as the regular comfort rests that Robust makes and what people's opinions are with them.

I actually just ordered a 9" comfort rest from CSUSA about a month ago, and was a little frustrated at the timing of the introduction of the new rests. I think I would have preferred one of those (assuming they are just as comfortable and nice as the originals). Oh well.

Matt
 
Matt I had one kind of custom made. He was making mini lathe tool rests and big lathe tool rests. I asked if I could have a mini lathe tool rest on a big lathe tool post. He made me one and also cut the length down from 12 to 10 1/2" which works perfectly for turning my mirror handles.
About the only thing I don't like about it is when using the rough out gouge I tend to slide my hand along the curve of the tool rest. I kind of bump across the tool post weld which makes it a little less smooth of a cut. This is however a roughing cut so it's really no big deal. I have the same problem with my round BestWoodTools tool rest. I use a 5/8" bar on a 1" tool post. The solution of course is to simply go with a larger bar on top but I've used this tool rest for so long I've gotten used to it.
The Robust is now my favorite tool rest and I use it for all sorts of things. I would like to have one of the larger ones for bigger spindles where I don't need to wrap my fingers around them.
 
I like both

I orginally bought the 4" comfort rest b/4 he made the low profile. At SWAT last year I bought the comfort rest in the 12" and the low profile in the smaller sizes. The low profile in the smaller sizes is really nice when your turning finials and such where you use a wrap around grip, but like John I like the comfort rest on the larger when using the roughing gouge. Solution is buy one of each for all sizes and hope loml dosen't use them on your head.

Vernon
 
I bought the round bar type and found I was unable to control my tools as much as I can with these type. I give them a 2 thumbs up. I have no problem with a any tools on them. Very well made design.
 
Can anyone explain what the intended purpose, or advantage of the "low profile" Robust tool rest is supposed to be, when compared to the higher Robust rest?

I have one of the standard Robust tool rests. I like it, but am not completely convinced that a little practice with tool control will not yield as good a result on the work piece........with most any rest.

I can see were the name implies a more comfortable hand "posture", but does that equate to better overall tool control......????? So far, I'm not seeing where the answer to that question is in the affirmative, because I can wrap my thumb, or fingers around most any shape of rest comfortably to achieve the desired result. What say you?

I am not suggesting that getting the Robust tool rest is a waste of money, but I am saying that it's not yet time to get rid of the old rests either. The Robust tool rest seems to be just one more way to give the turner another option......or a little diversity in the options available to him.

ooc
 
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robust rest

I also bought one...6" I think. It came with a 1" post I believe so, I have to use an adapter for my banjo. I bought it to try to develop the habit of hooking my finger underneath which, seems to be very successful and, the preferred method for a lot of great spindle turners. Have to admit that I haven't completely re-trained myself to hook the finger underneath yet but, the design lends itself to that grip very nicely.
Good luck with it.
J
 
Jay Coulson said:
I also bought one...6" I think. It came with a 1" post I believe so, I have to use an adapter for my banjo. I bought it to try to develop the habit of hooking my finger underneath which, seems to be very successful and, the preferred method for a lot of great spindle turners. Have to admit that I haven't completely re-trained myself to hook the finger underneath yet but, the design lends itself to that grip very nicely.
Good luck with it.
J
Click to expand...

What size tool rest posts does your new Vicmarc use?

ooc
 
I think the question is, is there any difference in the actual rest between the two? It looks like the only difference is post length from the CS description.

I've had a comfort rest for my Delta 46-460 and Jet mini since the Richmond Symposium and have been very pleased with it. I've been using bar rests on my Stubby and may have see about getting one for it. The one problem with steel rests is that they will amplify vibrations (my bar ones do), but the Robust's shape doesn't seem to have much of that problem.
 
Odie The big advantage of the low profile tool rest is being able to reach around it to support narrower spindles. I turn a lot of mirror handles that are 3/4" x 10 3/4". The narrow part of these is 3/8". Consequently they flex a lot. I reach over and/or under the tool rest to support these with my fingers to keep the flex down.
The same is true for my ornament spindles. They vary from about 4 to 6" and often have areas that are as thin as 1/8". Supporting the wood while cutting lets me cut faster and cleaner.
I used to use one of the round bar rest. It's very easy to reach over or under these. The disadvantage is the fulcrum point for the tool is further from the work than the Robust rests. On large tools that's not a problem at all. On small tools I like to have the tool overhang as short as possible. With the Robust tall or short tool rest I can do that.
One very minor disadvantage of the Robust and other thin rests. My spindle gouges have a long bevel because they are ground pretty sharp. In order to ride on the flat part of the tool I have to move the skinny tool rests back further. Not a big deal but sometimes requires me to move the tool rest when I switch tools.
 
john lucas said:
Odie The big advantage of the low profile tool rest is being able to reach around it to support narrower spindles. I turn a lot of mirror handles that are 3/4" x 10 3/4". The narrow part of these is 3/8". Consequently they flex a lot. I reach over and/or under the tool rest to support these with my fingers to keep the flex down.
The same is true for my ornament spindles. They vary from about 4 to 6" and often have areas that are as thin as 1/8". Supporting the wood while cutting lets me cut faster and cleaner.
I used to use one of the round bar rest. It's very easy to reach over or under these. The disadvantage is the fulcrum point for the tool is further from the work than the Robust rests. On large tools that's not a problem at all. On small tools I like to have the tool overhang as short as possible. With the Robust tall or short tool rest I can do that.
One very minor disadvantage of the Robust and other thin rests. My spindle gouges have a long bevel because they are ground pretty sharp. In order to ride on the flat part of the tool I have to move the skinny tool rests back further. Not a big deal but sometimes requires me to move the tool rest when I switch tools.
Click to expand...

Thanks for your reply, John........

I think I'm getting the point. I am one that concentrates on bowl turning, so the real advantages of the Robust rest isn't as important to me as it would be to some other turners......particularly spindle turners. I think it's generally true that the tools necessary for larger bowl turning may be a little more rigid than some of the smaller spindle turning offerings. I've enjoyed owning, and using my Robust rest, but my turnings and methods do not seem to have any improvement from their use......or, at least I haven't been able to notice any. Who knows, I reserve the right to change my mind at some later date, but for now, I'm not sure I'm seeing anything worth their cost.......

I'm only giving my personal perspective, and I understand that what I experience isn't going to be a universal conclusion for woodturners, in general......

OOC
 
rest

Hi Odie,
The 300 takes a 30mm post(pretty sure). I do know that I will never be using an "s" shaped tool rest again, regardless of what lathe I own. Nothing to do with the lathe, more to do with finally realizing that those rests are catches waiting to hapJpen.
J
 
Jay Coulson said:
Hi Odie,
The 300 takes a 30mm post(pretty sure). I do know that I will never be using an "s" shaped tool rest again, regardless of what lathe I own. Nothing to do with the lathe, more to do with finally realizing that those rests are catches waiting to hapJpen.
J
Click to expand...

OK, since 25.4 mm = 1 inch you could sleeve all your tool rest posts.......or, you could sleeve and redrill your banjo once!

I wasn't aware that the Vicmarc had 30mm tool rest post......seems like Vicmarc would have been well ahead of the curve, if it had supplied 1" banjos for their American market.

What's your thinking on the "s" shaped tool rests?

I have one of those "s" shaped tool rests, but I've not been using it for some time. For me, they were a pain in the rear, because they were bulky, and not very adaptable to the interior of bowls. Seems like you always had to compromise where you really wanted to put it.....either couldn't get it close enough to the bowl, or the height had to be compromised. Still, every once in awhile, I still use mine.

ooc
 
Is your "s" shape tool rest like this black one on the upper left?

This one has a removable post, and two applicable positions.

It's the one I was referring to in the post above this one........

ooc
 

Attachments

  • tool rests (2).jpg
    tool rests (2).jpg
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I have one each like the two on the right side of your photo. If I can remember to use them, they work well. The one for the outside allows for fewer moves of the rest, and maybe a smoother line. The one for the inside works great until the handle for the gouge hits the rest. At that point, a gouge with a less acute bevel allows for finishing the bottom. The inside one works great for shear scraping after the gouge work, as the overhang of the scraper is kept to a minimum.

Later,
Dale M
 
Dale Miner said:
I have one each like the two on the right side of your photo. If I can remember to use them, they work well. The one for the outside allows for fewer moves of the rest, and maybe a smoother line. The one for the inside works great until the handle for the gouge hits the rest. At that point, a gouge with a less acute bevel allows for finishing the bottom. The inside one works great for shear scraping after the gouge work, as the overhang of the scraper is kept to a minimum.

Later,
Dale M
Click to expand...

Yep, those are both OneWay tool rests.....made very heavy and rigid. The inside rest on top has been modified slightly in the photo. The outside one on the bottom hasn't been modified in the photo.....but, it has been now!

Those are a couple of very versatile tool rests.......I couldn't do without either of them.

ooc
 
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