What is the 2nd hole on the SS lathe tool rest arm used for?

bobgroh · Post by **bobgroh** » Wed Apr 01, 2009 11:13 am

The arm on SS model 510/520 lathe tool rest has two holes on the 'bottom' - the one on the end is normally where the post is installed (i.e. the post goes from the arm down to the carriage). The 2nd hole is about midway up on the arm. It is obviously the same size as the post and includes a set screw for locking the post or something like the post in place.

I have never seen this 2nd hole being used - in the manuals, woodworking lessons, etc.

So what the heck is it for and is there anything on this forum or the SS site showing it in use.

Thanks for your time.

kd6vpe · Post by **kd6vpe** » Wed Apr 01, 2009 12:48 pm

Very good question I have the same question. My thoughts are it is used for time when you have a large bowl you want to turn but need the tool rest at a different angle than you can achieve with the first hole. It will interesting to see what comes out of this thread. Thank you for asking. Personally I bought the univeral tool rest which give me all the movement I could ever need and the extra weight.

JPG · Post by **JPG** » Wed Apr 01, 2009 1:12 pm

kd6vpe wrote:Very good question I have the same question. My thoughts are it is used for time when you have a large bowl you want to turn but need the tool rest at a different angle than you can achieve with the first hole. It will interesting to see what comes out of this thread. Thank you for asking. Personally I bought the univeral tool rest which give me all the movement I could ever need and the extra weight.

Goldies only got one hole!;)

SDSSmith · Post by **SDSSmith** » Wed Apr 01, 2009 3:34 pm

The 505/510/520 feature a two position tool rest. The second hole is the second position for the tool post.

bobgroh · Post by **bobgroh** » Wed Apr 01, 2009 8:38 pm

SDSSmith wrote:The 505/510/520 feature a two position tool rest. The second hole is the second position for the tool post.

Can you give any examples (words or pictures) of when moving the post to the 2nd position would be of use??

charlese · Post by **charlese** » Wed Apr 01, 2009 10:21 pm

Not for sure, but gotta hunch! Wouldn't it be useful when shaping the rims of a large bowl?

paulmcohen · Post by **paulmcohen** » Thu Apr 02, 2009 3:58 am

bobgroh wrote:The arm on SS model 510/520 lathe tool rest has two holes on the 'bottom' - the one on the end is normally where the post is installed (i.e. the post goes from the arm down to the carriage). The 2nd hole is about midway up on the arm. It is obviously the same size as the post and includes a set screw for locking the post or something like the post in place.

I have never seen this 2nd hole being used - in the manuals, woodworking lessons, etc.

So what the heck is it for and is there anything on this forum or the SS site showing it in use.

Thanks for your time.

Before buying the Universal Tool Rest Banjo, I used the second hole to better position the tool rest relative to the wood. Using the closer hole allows the tool-rest to be positioned further from the work without moving the carriage.