Shopsmith Forums

This is an interesting idea to increase swing over the bed. However, what am I missing vis a vis the increase of the distance between centers? The tool rest can only be positioned along the moving bed. Distance between centers goes from 20" to 40" but I can still only use the 20" at the tail stock end.

https://www.woodworkersjournal.com/vide ... dium=email

Looks interesting. Can't the tool rest be removed and moved to the lower bed when extended?

RFGuy wrote: ↑Thu Nov 19, 2020 4:50 pm Looks interesting. Can't the tool rest be removed and moved to the lower bed when extended?

Well, the video didn't address that. That would require a change over that the video said was not necessary. There is a lead screw and motor under the lower bed so I don't know. To me it was a glaring omission concerning the value of the increased center to center distance capability. Do you really want to change the banjo and tool rest height multiple times between one end of a turning and the other to utilize the increase in center to center distance??? Still

Thanks John. Yeah, good point about having to move the banjo between the two. Could definitely create some transition difficulties on a spindle turning. I updated my previous post with a picture from Rikon to show the banjo on the lower rail.

On Rikon's website, there is a picture of the tool rest mounted on the lower part of the lathe. I agree that would be a pain to keep moving back and forth along a spindle turning. Plus, they make a point of saying that the banjo is cast iron, so probably heavy.

Oops, it looks like you can type faster than me and beat me to the post.

Thanks RFGuy and Kieth. I knew I should have checked. I guess that is why the video did not mention it. What a pain in the (???) to get extra bed length. That is absolutely no solution for increasing center to center distance.

Page 15 of the manual shows a Gap Bed Insert that can be place on the lower bed when extended. This section extends the upper bed all the way back to the headstock so the tool rest can slide along the full length.

https://www.rikontools.com/wp-content/u ... 3040M2.pdf

edma194 wrote: ↑Thu Nov 19, 2020 5:57 pm Page 15 of the manual shows a Gap Bed Insert that can be place on the lower bed when extended. This section extends the upper bed all the way back to the headstock so the tool rest can slide along the full length.

https://www.rikontools.com/wp-content/u ... 3040M2.pdf

This all makes more sense now. However the WW Journal video did not explain any of this. He said you get all this extra capacity, swing over bed and distance between centers all built in with no change overs. Not true! To use the extended center to center ability you either have to buy the tool rest base extension and move the banjo or the Gap insert. Both do not come standard and require a change over.

Rikon probably has a good idea but WW Journal (Rockler) missed it in their video.

When you put that Gap Bed Insert on the lathe you've lost all your increased swing over the bed.

Well it won't be the first time you needed to buy that extra piece to get what you wanted out of a tool. And it can't be any more fun taking that thing on and off the lathe than the tool rest either.

The internet says these lathes cost under $4000. I'm guessing that the additional cost of the Gap Bed Insert takes it over that mark and beyond a target marketing price they thought necessary. If they need these things to move they oughta throw in that insert as part of a sale package.