If you are turning bowls and other curved shapes, then a curved tool
rest really helps. You don't have to move it nearly as much as a
straight rest. As far as shape goes, I like bar stock better than
round stock. You can get the rest closer to the wood. With angle iron,
you get a nice ledge to rest your hand and fingers to help you guide
your tools, the only problem here is how far the ledge sticks out. Too
far and it gets in the way of your tools if you are trying to do a
shear cut with the handle lowered. There are a lot of comercial tool
rests available. I like the ones from Oneway for bowls, but they may
be too big for your lathe.
robo hippy

On Sep 11, 6:21 am, Kevin wrote:
In addition to the buffing supplies I asked about a week or so ago,
another item has been added to my wish list. I have a Jet 12-36 and
it serves my current needs admirably. However I would like to change
the tool post and rest. Any opinions (boy, there's a question asking
for it!) about the shape of the tool rest? Round perhaps like a piece
of 1" round stock? Flat like a piece of angle iron? What works for
those of you that have had both? Pros and cons of both? Thanks for
the info.