Universal Tool Rest

cousinwill · Post by **cousinwill** » Fri Jan 03, 2014 4:55 pm

Shopsmith has it's universal tool rest on sale. I'm considering purchasing one but was hoping for some info before making this purchase. If you have one how do you like it? Do you have to completely remove it before using the table? Any help would be appreciated!!

reible · Post by **reible** » Fri Jan 03, 2014 7:28 pm

To be sure it is heavy. Weight along makes it a good addition. I would advise doing a search on the subject as it has been looked at numerous times.

I like mine and except for a few issues you will have to deal with it is worth having if you are getting into some forms of lathe work. The issues mostly have to do with how close you can get to the tail stock, made worse by having a lift assist present. Spacers can get you over the lift assist bolts and adding various tail stock adapters the reach issue can be dealt with. You still might have issues on wider bowls due to reduced turning capacity.

I've never though about have the table on at the same time so I can't say if it can be done or not. My gut feeling is that you would not want to do it even if you can get it to fit somehow....

Ed

2centsworth · Post by **2centsworth** » Sat Jan 04, 2014 8:47 am

I also am considering it. I see Fred Sheldon's setup and like how he gets right up next to the work. I tell you what having a guy like Fred available to see how he sets his equipment up and giving me feedback is priceless. I Have the main SS lathe assortment but this would answer the part I need. The price is hefty and I know it is quality but I have not seen anything to replace it. Anyone else ?

algale · Post by **algale** » Sat Jan 04, 2014 9:15 am

2centsworth wrote:I also am considering it. I see Fred Sheldon's setup and like how he gets right up next to the work. I tell you what having a guy like Fred available to see how he sets his equipment up and giving me feedback is priceless. I Have the main SS lathe assortment but this would answer the part I need. The price is hefty and I know it is quality but I have not seen anything to replace it. Anyone else ?

I own the universal tool rest. It is far superior to the standard tool rest in terms of adjustability (where you can put the tool rest) and ease of adjustment. It is expensive. And heavy. And a PITA to store. I've never attempted to leave it on. It does not take very long to take on and off.

henecle · Post by **henecle** » Sat Jan 04, 2014 9:16 am

as mentioned, its been discussed before. Love mine... it's only money, you can't take it with you.

2centsworth · Post by **2centsworth** » Sat Jan 04, 2014 9:40 am

[quote="henecle"]as mentioned, its been discussed before. Love mine... it's only money, you can't take it with you. ]

I totally agree I am leaving nothing but bills for everyone, that way they will talk about me longer. Still you have to have the money to spend the money and right now my play money is pretty low.

JonE · Post by **JonE** » Sat Jan 04, 2014 9:40 am

I've had mine for about 5 years. I bought it new. I really like it and I believe makes the SS a better lathe.

cousinwill · Post by **cousinwill** » Sat Jan 04, 2014 11:41 am

Thanks for all the comments so far. Sounds like most people like theirs. I just have one more question that maybe I should know the answer but I want to double check before spending this money. How does the tool rest attach? Do you have to remove the headstock and slide off the tool rest? My concern is using the shopsmith chisel sharpening system with the table and sanding disk. If I have to remove the headstock and slide off the tool rest then slide the base for the table to sit on before being able to sharpen the chisel sounds like a lot of work !! Hopefully someone can shed some light on this. Thanks for all the comments so far

JPG · Post by **JPG** » Sat Jan 04, 2014 12:03 pm

cousinwill wrote:Thanks for all the comments so far. Sounds like most people like theirs. I just have one more question that maybe I should know the answer but I want to double check before spending this money. How does the tool rest attach? Do you have to remove the headstock and slide off the tool rest? My concern is using the shopsmith chisel sharpening system with the table and sanding disk. If I have to remove the headstock and slide off the tool rest then slide the base for the table to sit on before being able to sharpen the chisel sounds like a lot of work !! Hopefully someone can shed some light on this. Thanks for all the comments so far

Good Lord NO!

Potential 'issue' if one has the lift assist(need tailstock extension).

Easy To Attach and Easier To Use
simply remove your Mark 7 or Mark V's work table from the table carriage, set the 10" diameter by 1" thick cast iron mounting plate on top of the carriage, tighten the two bolts and go to work.
A quick twist of the locking lever loosens the 18-1/4" long support base arm. Rotate it a full 360-degrees, move it left or right and lock it firmly at any point along its 7-3/8" of travel.
Slip the rotating tool support arm into the support base arm and lock it into position with another quick-acting lever. The rugged 1" diameter steel post in the support arm gives you a full 2-1/8" of up-down travel... allowing you to position Shopsmith's standard tool rest anywhere from 1/2" below to 1-1/2" above your work-piece centerline. An adjustable stop collar and height setscrew let you return to a pre-set height instantly. Any of the four available Shopsmith tool rests (or our Lathe Steady Rest) lock into the tool support arm with a convenient third lever.

I believe Fred is using his with a model 10.

cousinwill · Post by **cousinwill** » Sat Jan 04, 2014 12:29 pm

Well that sounds a lot better than the nightmare I had envisioned !!

Shopsmith Forums

Universal Tool Rest

Universal Tool Rest

Make it possibly two...

Leaving Bills !

Universal tool rest....I like it.