Your tool rest is the point of contact between you, the lathe, the tool and the work. It is important that the tool has the smoothest possible transit along the rest. Any bumps, ridges or hollows soon take the pleasure out of turning. Most standard tool rests are cast iron or relatively soft steel. These rests can soon develop nicks along their length and require occasional draw filing to bring them back into a usable condition. The Axminster Evolution Tool Rest System overcomes this problem.
In order to make the system as economic as possible, Axminster Evolution produces the tool rests and tool posts as separate items. Before selecting a tool rest you need to purchase a tool post. The tool rest screws onto the tool post. A single tool post will fit any of the four lengths of tool rest. Additional tool rests simply screw onto the same tool post. If you own a second lathe requiring a different diameter tool post, then the purchase of a second tool post allows you to use all your existing tool rests. Spanner flats ground onto the tool post help fitting or removing the tool rest.
A 19mm diameter stainless steel round bar forms the perfect tool rest. This simple design overcomes all the disadvantages encountered with standard tool rests and has additional benefits. The tool glides smoothly along the length of the rest. The round profile gives more control when changing the angle of the tool in the vertical plane. Using stainless steel means corrosion and rust are a thing of the past.
Tool rests are available in 100mm, 150mm, 250mm lengths or a 200mmm length long reach tool rest, for gaining access more easily when turning vases and other hollow forms. Once screwed onto your tool post, these two parts form the ideal support for all your turning tools.