In the market for a new tool rest. Was wondering if anyone had any experience with nova Teknatool tool rest. The only reason I am considering the nova tool rest is its changeable post. Would prefer a robust tool rest. In the near future I plan on upgrading my jet 1221 which has a 5/8 tool rest post. I’m sick of flatten my tool rest. New lathe will more than likely have a 1 inch tool rest post. I believe I will be able to change the post out without changing all the tool rest. It looks to me like the nova tool rest has hardened steel instead of cast iron. One of my concerns is the threaded tool rest post, may loosen and spin to rest while turning. Any help would be appreciated. Thank you.
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Nova tool rest
- Thread starter David Missal
- Start date
- Joined
- Feb 28, 2021
- Messages
- 1,576
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- Location
- Roulette, PA
- Website
- www.reallyruralwoodworks.com
I got the sorby round bar rests some time back but then I was replacing my harbor freight tool rests (cheap cast iron) Those (Sorby rests) are also tool steel, I believe. It was nice at first finally having a smooth tool rest that I could actually slide my tools along without catching, but as I got more familiar with them I found a few things... The S-shaped rest is practically worthless for bowls I could never keep bevel contact trying to use them.... The tool rests CAN rather easily unthread and suddenly your tool,, your rest (and even fingers) are rubbing on your project - a disaster if you happen to be doing your final cut.... Then I realized they actually made it harder to use traditional tools , with the round bar , the fulcrum point changes as you raise or lower your tool handle , and also changes your bevel presentation... (*edit*) Also, even those "hardened steel" rests will take small dings if they are hit hard enough (big catch can cause tool to dent the rest) -
I finally found a set of used One-Way tool rests (they are not hardened steel, so they can get dented, etc, but FAR superior to Harbor Freight cast iron) and once I got those cleaned up and smooth, they require very little maintenance... so my sorby tool rest posts and 3 sizes of bar rests are now lying around collecting dust.
Maybe I should dig them out, take some pics and list 'em for sale...
Finally, if I was you, knowing what I know now, I would live with the tool rest you have, and "upgrade" it with some drill rod (which is hardened steel) epoxied to the tool rest post (There is a thread in these forums somewhere and a youtube video from a member that sells drill rods for tool rests, and demonstrates how easy it is to install them.
I'm tempted to do that with my one way rests, but they hold up so well, I can't justify the expense as a must-have.
One possible solution would be to buy an inexpensive Penn State knockoff of the Robust style rest for your current lathe, and then an upgraded one when you get a bigger lathe. A large segment of the shavings addicted public keeps their smaller lathe when they buy a bigger lathe.
Agree with Dean - PSI and some ebay sellers have a midi 5/8” post set that can be had reasonably.
I had a modular setup that I learned to really dislike. To keep the rest from spinning the joint had to be tight, and changing the post out between rests was a pita - I got one of the “value” 5/8” post sets which were much better.
As Brian suggested, a piece of 1/4” drill rod epoxied (JB Weld) to your cast iron rest works. I saw a good video but dont remember who it was.
I had a modular setup that I learned to really dislike. To keep the rest from spinning the joint had to be tight, and changing the post out between rests was a pita - I got one of the “value” 5/8” post sets which were much better.
As Brian suggested, a piece of 1/4” drill rod epoxied (JB Weld) to your cast iron rest works. I saw a good video but dont remember who it was.
I used a Rockler tool rest with my Nova Comet II midi. It had a hardened steel rod on top and was fairly decent. They only carry certain sizes; smaller I think because it is made for mini and midi lathes mostly. They all have the smaller post and are (were at least a couple of years ago) very reasonably priced. It's worth checking out since you plan to upgrade to a larger lathe with a 1" post in the future.
Echoing Brian Gustin, I would investigate adding drill rod to your existing rest. I have tried a few of the “modular” or changeable rests and personally feel an odd vibration with them. I’m not all that sensitive - or any good, really, but I don’t like the sensation. Not much beats cast iron for absorbing vibration.
My Nova 14 DR came with the modular tool rest with the hardened steel bar on top. I put it together and have been using it for a few years now with no problems. It has stayed solid and tight. I suspect that the new 15" Nova Neptune I bought will have the same tool rest. I am coming around to the use of the hardened bar tool rests.
Rockler sells an adapter from 5/8" to 1" tool post part #56172 for $20 since their toolposts are 5/8" diameter. or you can make your own adapter if you have access to a metal lathe. If this is done you could still use the toolrest if you upgrade to a larger lathe.
I have a full set of the Nova modular tool rests. Once in a while the tool rest does come loose, but it is a quick fix with an Allen Key. Could probably avoid it completely with some loctite, but I'm too lazy for that. For your use and situation, it is quite a reasonable option - as the posts are the least expensive part of the system and can be swapped out easily. If you go down this road, and are planning to get multiple rests, plan to buy a post for each as well. Like changing jaws on a chuck, swapping posts/rests gets old quickly.
Thank you all very much for the advice and information. I think I’m going to keep what I have for now. And keep saving for a bigger lathe. I have been working this morning on cleaning up my tool rest. I think jet could have done a better job on finish.