Banjo Upgrade

[Richard Jones]

No, Béla Fleck has no worries here...........

I have been debating/perusing the Oneway banjo to upgrade my Jet 1642. I don't do a lot of larger bowls, as they don't sell well, but I do like the ability to do so. I also realize that the curved Robust rests (I do have both) do a lot to negate the need for a larger banjo, dependent upon the form of the piece.

Who has done this and what are your thoughts? Was it worth the not-so-inconsiderable cost?

Thanks.

Rich

 

[AlanZ]

Take a look at Bob Hamilton's video about this topic

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KNp5btnkexM

 

[MichaelMouse]

Have to say that the Nova offset post is a wonderful idea. Appreciate it after years with the Delta 46-204, which was set up pretty much as the base of the Oneway banjo in width, but with post centered. Worst of both worlds. Now I can count that "swing over banjo" business as useless information for bowls.

But, as you notice in the video, the banjo and rest are designed to produce best results as a pair. The straight rest from Robust would work fine with the stock banjo, would almost be a necessity with the Oneway. I would NOT recommend the Robust curved rests. The cast one I use has the proper extension from the post to get you in close. http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d160/GoodOnesGone/Curve.jpg I do not turn the outside around the head of the lathe because it puts me in a dangerous position. So much easier to do the outside first then reverse, and keep things at arm's length.

Long story short - the banjo is a worthwhile improvement over your standard banjo, But get curved rests that lean into the work. I have the old Oneway curved rest somewhere. Came with a chuck I bought used. Even with the offset post on the Nova, I found it poorly designed for the way I cut.

Since a 1642 is a Powermatic Lite, will a Powermatic setup match better? http://www.newwoodworker.com/reviews/graphics/photos/tools/pm3520brvu/tolrstbnjot.jpg

 

[Steve Worcester]

why a banjo upgrade?

 

[Bart Leetch]

why a banjo upgrade?

Off set tool rest mounting hole.🙂

 

[Bill Boehme]

I have a few curved tool rests of various brands, but almost never use them. I like a straight rest because I use the rest to gauge the curve on whatever I am turning. I usually aim for a curve that is monotonic and a straight rest is much better at visualizing that that a curved rest would be.

 

[robo hippy]

Banjo upgrade because 'set screws' for securing the tool rest don't work well. The Robust has a wedge on either side that pull together to tighten on the post. Much more secure grip. I haven't ever really worked with an off set banjo, but it looks like a really good idea. There are some times when I want the banjo more in line with a big blank, and can't get under the wood because of the center mount. Not so much of a problem on my Beauty with a 25 inch max diameter.

For bowl rests, I prefer the shape of the one MM shows. The hook/J on the rim end allows you to turn all of the rim, then go down the inside of the bowl, and then across the bottom with doing nothing more than pivoting the rest. After using the drill rod rests, they slide so much better than the cast metal it is hard to go back to cast. Even if you sand, polish and wax, there is no comparison. The current rests leave a bit to be desired for the 'perfect arc'. The end of the bowl rests tend to get in the way. The down side to doing bowls with a straight rest is that you have to extend so far off the tool rest at times. Not a good thing to teach newbies.

I may have to invent my own inside bowl rest.......

robo hippy

 

[MichaelMouse]

Banjo upgrade because 'set screws' for securing the tool rest don't work well. The Robust has a wedge on either side that pull together to tighten on the post. Much more secure grip.

Use a hose clamp to prevent it from sliding. Cheap alternative.

 

[Steve Worcester]

Off set tool rest mounting hole.🙂

So a larger or heavier banjo won't offset the mounting point as much as it will allow a more secure mounting point for less vibration.

If you want to buy a Robust banjo, email or PM me and I can set you up. I can't say it will eliminate your problem though.

 

[Edward Weber]

One of the biggest issues with the 1642 banjo is that it's too small. It's basically the same one as the 1442 has. It is almost impossible to get the full 16" capacity with it, as it's almost hanging off the ways. Realistically, it should be more like the PM banjo.

 

[Bill Boehme]

...The Robust has a wedge on either side that pull together to tighten on the post. Much more secure grip. ....

It is the greatest idea since sliced bread as far as I am concerned. There is one other benefit that you did not mention -- you can reverse the wedge lock mechanism so that the handle is on the other side of the tool rest base when necessary such as doing the outside of a bowl after it has been reversed to do the interior. I sometimes swap the wedge lock around when working on large platters.

... The down side to doing bowls with a straight rest is that you have to extend so far off the tool rest at times...

There is no reason that you can't stick the end of a straight rest inside of a bowl ... even a deep bowl. With small bowls, a low profile rest gives a bit more clearance. I rarely have a situation where there is more than an inch of tool overhang.

 

[robo hippy]

The problem with sticking in the straight end of a tool rest into the bowl is that you have to move it several times, and you can not extend it past where you want to finish your cut. Not a problem with that one for most of us as we know when to stop, but for newbies, you can be having so much fun you run right off the end, or near the center, you are pushing too hard, and go past the center while cutting fall off the end, and the gouge comes back to the cutting side really fast. Curved rest = less time moving and adjusting the banjo and tool rest positions.

robo hippy

 

[Bill Boehme]

... for newbies, you can be having so much fun you run right off the end, or near the center, you are pushing too hard, and go past the center ...

That can happen. But, then going past center comes with its own set of problems for a newbie regardless of tool rest.

 

[hockenbery]

That can happen. But, then going past center comes with its own set of problems for a newbie regardless of tool rest.

What I tell my newbie students is to catch the little nib in the center in the flute of the gouge.
Works like magic!
I do this myself. It focuses attention on the center bottom. You have to slow down to catch it and it results in a smooth bottom.

 

[Rob Wallace]

I do this myself. It focuses attention on the center bottom. You have to slow down to catch it and it results in a smooth bottom.

I always saw on the commercials that it was from using baby powder..... ??? 😉

Rob

 

[David Hill]

I have more than one lathe, but noticed that the banjo that came with the shopfox 1758 that I acquired was a real was a real POS. I did my research and bought a One Way banjo to fit the lathe. What a change!!!!

 

[robo hippy]

My favorite tool for removing the center nib is the fluteless gouge from Doug Thompson. Most difficult thing to learn is to let the wood cut rather than make it cut. When you get tear out in dead center, you are pushing too hard.

robo hippy

 

[Bill Boehme]

.... When you get tear out in dead center, you are pushing too hard.

In my first year or two of turning, the solution to a dull tool was to push harder. If you push hard enough a garden shovel can be used as a turning tool. Then I had one of those "aha" moments that sharp tools work better than dull ones. Eureka! What a discovery! What clever insight! I felt the need to spread the word about this heretofore undiscovered benefit of sharpening.