[Dynikus]

well... I figured it would happen eventually. My old cast iron banjo broke a while ago, and had a new one made. Today while turning a goblet, I got a snag, and my equally poor quality cast iron rest broke. I would just make a new one, as it looks like it's fairly simple, but I don't have a welder.

So I'm now in the market for a 3/4" post tool rest. Which is a real pain, as it looks to me like most posts are atleast 1".
I saw this
http://www.pennstateind.com/store/CLTSET34.html
and was thinking about getting it, as it would make bowl turning a bit easier, but I'm weary because of the reviews.

edit: I should also mention that the post from my rest was only 3 1/2-4" long, so I would think the set of 3 from pennstate would work. My only real skepticism comes from the price, and the rounded rest. I've never used one, so I don't know if there are any advantages or disadvantages to the rest being rounded.

 

[Dave Paine]

I purchased a Woodcraft tool post so I could attach different tool rests. Mine is a 1in diameter. The post was turned under sized, so I hated to use it.

They also make a 3/4in dia post. If you get this, I hope it is machined to closer tolerances than my 1in post.

The screw on tool rests are nice, if only the post is a good fit.

http://www.woodcraft.com/Product/2000391/2000/Post-34-Diameter-35-Long.aspx

 

[duncsuss]

I purchased a Woodcraft tool post so I could attach different tool rests. Mine is a 1in diameter. The post was turned under sized, so I hated to use it.

They also make a 3/4in dia post. If you get this, I hope it is machined to closer tolerances than my 1in post.

The screw on tool rests are nice, if only the post is a good fit.

http://www.woodcraft.com/Product/2000391/2000/Post-34-Diameter-35-Long.aspx

I also have the WoodRiver (Woodcraft's own brand name) tool rest, with 3 different "tops" that screw onto the post.

The S-shape has a different radius each side of the post, good for working both the outside profile and the inside of bowls.

The straight 6" and 4" have hardened steel rods across the top, I haven't had to sand out dings after using it for maybe a year.

I also have one unit I can't see on their website right now, it's a square flat-topped bar that helps when trying to support a scraper down at the bottom of a tall thin shape.

The 1" post is actually 25mm (0.4mm shy of a full inch). It means it can be used with (for example) the Harbor Freight 12" x 33" lathe, but it doesn't really bother me that it's slightly loose in my Nova 1624 that has a true 1" bore in the banjo.