What brand curved tool rest?

[Alex Ku]

I was planning to get a curved tool rest from Robust but just found that they do not harden it.
I found that LeeValley sells curved hardened tool rest. Are they the only company who sells hardened curved tool rests?

Thanks,
Alex

 

[John Lawson]

Check out Best Wood Tools also.
http://bestwoodtools.com/

 

[robo hippy]

I prefer the Oneway tool rests. I like the curves. I don't know if any are hardened, but the steel ones are usually harder than the cast ones, and I prefer the ones that are made from bent bar stock rather than round stock. They don't get your leverage point a lot closer to the work, but they just feel better.
robo hippy

 

[MichaelMouse]

I like this one. Not hardened in any way, but I have never dinged it enough to require refiling in nearly 20 years. http://www.woodturnerscatalog.com/s...ests___S_Curve_Bowl_Rest___s_curve_rest?Args= The long cantilevered quarter-round types are second best, but you can't get them as tight to the work.

 

[GeorgeH]

I don't know why you'd want a "hardened" tool rest. At least not anything that's as hard or harder than the tools you're using. When the tool catches and something has to give, it's better that the "give" occurs at the tool rest and not the tool.

 

[robo hippy]

I have a couple of the ones like Michael has and like them. The one down side to them is that if you like to use a gouge shear cut with the handle held down low, it isn't very good. It is very wide, and you end up riding the back side of the tool rest rather than the close edge.

As far as the hardened tool rests, like the Comfort rest from Robust, the friction of your tool sliding across it is greatly reduced, and getting nicks in it that need to be filed out just does not happen. I would love to see one that has hardened curved drill rod on the top of it. Another of those things that once you have it, you don't want to be without it.

robo hippy

 

[john lucas]

I have one of the older adjustable bestwoodtools curved rests. It's a love hate relationship. About half the time the adjustable part gets in the way and the other half of the time it will let you do things you can't do with other rests.
If I had to do it over again (and I might) I would buy his fixed curved rest. I have 2 of his straight rests and like them a lot.