Function

• Tool on the Rest
  
  Wood lathe tools rests act as a guide in which to comfortably rest a sharp metal tool. Lathe tooling, generally, uses a long metal chisel that is held into a long wooden handle. The metal chisel part of the tool is placed on the tool rest for support and the long wooden handle is used to guide the metal tip along and into the rotating piece of wood. In practice, the tool rest is placed as close to the work piece as physically possible. The shorter the distance between the rest and work piece, the least amount of force is placed on the tooling. This allows for better control of the sharp cutting tip.
  
  

Types

• Cast iron tool rest
  
  The tool rest can be constructed from any type of material as long as it is rigid and does not allow the hand-held tool to bounce or chatter against the work piece. Thick wood framing can be used for the rest if the material is heavy duty enough to resist bending when the force from the tool against the work piece keeps it from warping. Generally, the tool rest is constructed from a metal material. Cast iron is a choice of older modeled lathes in which the tool rest extends from a single pedestal post. Angle iron can also be used and held in placed on each end to the lathe bed.
  
  

Features

• Lathe bed tool rest holder
  
  Height adjustment for the tool rest is simply done by a setscrew arrangement in the tool rest holder. The setscrew is attached to a long handle so that it is easy to tighten or loosen the holder. The holder is also attached to the bed or table of the lathe body. This too is also adjustable to run the length of the bed so that the tool rest may be placed anywhere along the piece of wood to be turned.
  
  

Size

• Angle iron full length tool rest
  
  Tool rests come in many sizes from full length table models constructed from angle iron to short ones of 2 to 3 inches in length. Full table length models that run from the chuck to the tail stock area can be used for long spindle turnings. This enables the wood worker to keep the machine running in order to turn the entire piece for a consistent and accurate removal. Short tool rests allow for great detail work to be performed, especially in the turning of pen stock or small dowels for decorative additions to cabinets.
  
  

Warning

• Whenever operating a wood lathe be sure to follow the manufacturer's instructions of safety. The use of safety glasses is highly recommended as wood chips will be flying in the air at a rapid rate from a finely tuned wood lathe.